Bill Belichick shares personal anecdote in touching tribute to Kobe Bryant

The death of Kobe Bryant has been felt across the entire sports world, and Bill Belichick is one of countless players and coaches who got to experience Kobe’s greatness first-hand.

On Tuesday, Belichick issued a touching statement that included a personal anecdote about Bryant. Two years into his retirement, Kobe visited the New England Patriots during the 2018 offseason and addressed the team at the request of Belichick. The coach said Tuesday that it was the most captivated he has ever seen his team.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shares some thoughts on Kobe Bryant, with whom he had developed a unique friendship and respect for. pic.twitter.com/dWuWfEdd09

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 28, 2020

Belichick has been around football his entire life and has friends in some very high places. A number of sports legends and celebrities have addressed the Patriots as guest speakers over the years, so it says a lot that Belichick recognized the impact Kobe had on his players.

Kobe also took the time during that visit with the Patriots to record a video with then-Pats wide receiver Jordan Matthews, whose wife had just given birth.

This is leadership. After a long speech Kobe took time to congratulate my wife on her pregnancy and wish her good luck on training post delivery. He was Cheyna’s favorite athlete growing up. My son was born on 8/24. Thanks Brother pic.twitter.com/xuLWsfQkWg

— Jordan Matthews (@jmattjmattjmatt) January 27, 2020

It’s always easier to say nice things about a person after they die, but some of the personal stories people have shared about Kobe have been incredible. A number of Bryant’s greatest accomplishments in life came off the basketball court, and that is remarkable considering he was a five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star.

More Larry Brown Sports coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death:

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

Tributes to Kobe:
– NBA players changing jersey numbers in honor of Kobe Bryant
– Bill Belichick shares touching anecdote in tribute to Kobe Bryant
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences