The "Kobe's Tribute In York, PA!" Story

The "Art Bridge" in York, Pennsylvania.  Click to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Just returned from the "Art Bridge" which crosses the Pennsyl- vania Railroad siding in York, PA that connects the 200 block of N. Penn St. with Gay Ave.  I just had to visit the site after reading about the special paint job that was completed as a memorial to the five-time National Basketball Association champion, Kobe Bryant, and his daughter, Gianna as well as seven others who were recently killed in a helicopter crash.  

The other end of the artwork.

A York-based tattoo artist Jaysin Jefferson along with Roger Myers and three other local artists trans- formed one side of the bridge into a touching tribute to Kobe et al.  Every detail on that one side of the bridge honors Kobe's life and legacy.  Jefferson, Myers and their friends did the painting to help people heal and remember one of basketball's greatest players.  

Locations throughout the United Sates saw memorials
such as this one place in honor of Kobe Bryant.

Kobe graduated from nearby Lower Merion High School in Philadel- phia in 1996 where he led his team to the State Champion- ship.  But, the artwork that I took photos of today was only one part of the remembrances that were shared a week or so ago in the Lancaster Newspaper.  The other was an interview that appeared in USA Today Newspaper written by Mark Medina.  

Kobe Bryant #24.

Mark is a York county native and a 2004 graduate of York Suburban High School who now covers the NBA for USA Today. He had been responsible for covering Kobe's career extensively when he worked for The Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News.  Ten days before the horrible accident in Calabasas, California, Mark sat down with Kobe for an inteview which happened to be Kobe's final interview he would ever have.  Mark reported that he still struggles accepting that reality with Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others who were heading to an AAU basketball game that his daughter was scheduled to be a part of that day.  

One of many tributes was held in Los Angeles.

Kobe's surviving family includes his wife Vanessa and three other daughters (17-year-old Natalia, three-year-old Bianka and newborn Capri).  Kobe judged those who interviewed him by the quality of the questions asked and work ethic.  Mark said Kobe appreciated that he confronted Kobe with tough questions.  Kobe told Mark that "I love telling stories.  I love inspiring kids and providing them with tools that are going to help them."  Mark also felt that Kobe no longer seemed as consumed as he once was with the NBA world.  Bryant considered any season that didn't end in a championship parade to be a failure.  He now sounded secure with his five NBA rings, his two Finals MVPs and his one regular-season MVP.   He admitted that it meant more to him that he won an Oscar, Sports Emmy and Annie Award for his short film.  And, he was encouraged that his production company will release its fourth sports fantasy book on March 31.  Mark said that Kobe will not be able to see how well the book sells to the public.  By now both the Lakers and Lower Merion High School have held numerous ceremonies in Kobe's honor.  He will be missed by his fans as well as his remaining family, but will be remembered for many years to come by those that view the "Art Bridge" in York, Pennsylvania.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.