There are certain things in life that you simply cannot deny, one of them is the fact that Kobe Bryant was perhaps the most alpha dog player the NBA had ever seen. On par with Michael Jordan in terms of winning spirit and perhaps even a degree higher in terms of mental fortitude. But, on one occasion, he went as far as to dive right into shark-infested waters just to show how alpha he was.
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Kobe was no mere man. Throughout his life and even in his retirement, the one thing we all read and learned about was how strong he was mentally. Legendary tales that inspire us and every great athlete.
But more than that, it was his alpha nature that really stood out. It was so great, so burgeoning that even a guy like Shaquille O’Neal could not bare to stand with him for long.
Bryant demanded respect. And you had to give it to him. While the fear of death might scare away anyone, for Kobe it was just a fear.
Kobe Bryant was willing to dive into shark-infested waters for the thrill of it!
Yes true story, thanks to the Twitter user who uncovered it, we now know that Kobe Bryant was as crazy off the court as he was on it. To seek the thrill he would go to extreme lengths.
So, when journeying with Nike Designer Eric Avar off the coast of Newport on a fishing trip, Bryant had other ideas. The waters were infested with Sharks, Dolphins, and Whales but Kobe said, “If I jump, will you jump”, Avar replied, “Dude, we just saw sharks”.
“Come on”, Kobe replies. And as soon as Eric agreed, Bryant was already stripped down to his swim shorts. This is when he took this iconic photo of Bryant.
Classic @kobebryant story, shared by Nike designer Eric Avar pic.twitter.com/TqD80MTRpd
— Heidi Burgett (@heidiburgett) May 16, 2013
To be that fearless and to make others come through in pursuit of greater joys in life was Kobe’s true calling. In winning, he managed to do so for every one of us.
His mental fortitude is something that will continue to inspire us to this day.
Kobe Bryant was a master of mental strength and fortitude
His mental fortitude was a key factor in his success. Bryant was known for his intense work ethic and his unwavering commitment to excellence.
He was a fierce competitor who refused to back down from a challenge. He approached every game with a single-minded focus on winning. Bryant was also known for his ability to perform under pressure. He had countless clutch performances throughout his career.
Even in the face of adversity, such as injuries or personal setbacks, Bryant remained determined. He was always focused on achieving his goals. His mental toughness and resilience were a hallmark of his career. And set an example for aspiring athletes and competitors around the world.
Today, Kobe continues to inspire us. Now he is an urban legend. He is the exemplar of mental fortitude and he will continue to be.