Kobe Bryant’s devoted fans have come up with a way to immortalize his legacy in basketball – feature him in the NBA logo.
Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the passengers of the helicopter that crashed in Calabasas, California on Sunday (January 26) morning. News of his sudden and tragic death have left fans heartbroken, with many taking to social media to mourn the basketball icon.
One fan created an online petition seeking to convince the National Basketball Association to put Kobe on a new logo.
“With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize him forever as the new NBA Logo,” the petition states on Change.org, featuring a graphic by freelance designer Tyson Beck.
As of the writing of this article, over 1.6 million fans have signed it – including big name celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Meek Mill and more.
Many of the celebs showing their support were friends with Kobe, and they’ve also been promoting it on social media.
Snoop Dogg shared the graphic on Instagram and captioned it, “New logo. @nba Let’s do what’s right.”
Justin also went on the platform with a call to “#changethelogo”
“Petition on @ballislife go sign!!!” rapper Meek Mill announced on his IG page.
And Usher shared his sentiments, “Couldn’t be a better time or all around athlete and person for it. #changethelogo.”
The current logo actually features another basketball icon and Lakers legend – Jerry West.
The Hall Of Famer and former Lakers general manager played with the Lakers in the 60s throughout the mid-70s then went on to coach the team after retiring from the court. In a 2017 interview with ESPN’s The Jump, he pretty much expressed that he’s totally cool with someone else being featured on the logo.
“I don’t like to do anything to call attention to myself, and when people say that, it’s just not who I am, period. If they would want to change it, I wish they would. In many ways, I wish they would,” he said at the time.
In an interview with ESPN, Jerry revealed his part in Kobe’s early career and how he saw him grow to become the NBA player we’ve all come to admire. He got emotional talking about it, and shared that the news of Kobe’s death “devastated” him.
Several basketball stars are also mourning Kobe’s untimely passing – including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen, Dwayne Wade, Tristan Thompson, and Lamar Odom.
LeBron James took to Instagram on Monday (January 27) night, breaking his silence with a touching tribute to his friend and fellow NBA icon, as well as Kobe’s daughter, Gianna, whom he addressed using her nickname, Gigi.
“I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man [I’m] sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had!” LeBron wrote. “I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!!”
“I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!!” he continued. ” Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation💜💛 and it’s my responsibility to put this s**t on my back and keep it going!!”
Just hours after the crash happened, LeBron arrived at LAX with his teammates, where he was spotted getting visibly emotional at the tragic news.
You are missed, Kobe!
