Basketball fan or not, the news of Kobe Bryant’s death has sent shock waves through the earth.

After a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California killed the 41-year-old father of four, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others, millions took to social media to express their condolences, sorrow and thoughts around the tragedy that claimed too many lives far too early.

One such person to offer perspective was California resident Ryan Williams, who was involved in a high-speed car accident in 2018 in Newport Beach, and recalled how Bryant was one of the first on-scene to check on everyone and offer some comforting words.

His gentle spirit touched Williams beyond that day, too.

 

 

“Sept. 2018: Kobe witnessed someone crash into me at 65mph. He ran to my car. He helped. Most of all, he was kind. A week later, he saw me and my family at Starbucks. He told my wife how lucky I was to be alive,” William said in a Twitter thread.

“From that time on, whenever we’d see him in Newport Coast, he continued to be kind. A fist bump to my son…a high five to my daughter…a word of wisdom to me.”

 

 

That wasn’t the only car accident Bryant witnessed and stepped up his “game” for, according to Williams.

“A month ago, we witnessed another accident in the neighborhood,” Williams said. “Kobe consoled each and every person on the scene, especially the kids. He was kind to them like he was kind to me.

“I will remember him for being legendary on the court. But more than anything, I will remember him for being kind … to me, to my family, and to so many friends in our community. He was driven beyond measure and that drive didn’t stop on the court.”

As we grieve, remember to hug your people, show compassion and step up for others in times of need, whether you know them or not. Those are moves we can take out of No. 24’s playbook.