There is a saying “heroes come and go, but legends live forever.” Sometimes we may think that idols are invincible and abnormal. However, in reality, they are normal people.
Recently in a span of a couple of years, there were fallen legends that had shocked the world. Celebrities like: Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle, Juice Wrld and Cameron Boyce. People around the world were touched by every single one of these icons. Each one of these guys left a mark on this world that would remain forever.
Philly native Kobe Bryant rocked the purple and gold jersey for 20 years in Los Angeles. Growing up as a kid every boy’s dream was to be like Michael Jordan. Nobody imitated Jordan better than Kobe Bryant did. Bryant passed on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 due to a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The tragedy is not what’s most important but it’s the impact he had on others. Social media evolved around the legacy of Bryant from all of his accomplishments and his personal life as a person. Traditionally children shoot paper in the trash and say “Kobe.” A legacy like Kobe will never be forgotten.
Troy Skipper, marketing major, was highly impacted by Kobe’s death.
“Kobe Bryant was a huge inspiration to me. When it came to “who was the best?” I always felt it was Kobe, not just because of his skill set on the basketball court, but his will to win and want to be the best to ever do it. Mamba mentality! I try to use that in life, to want to be the best at whatever I do,” Skipper said.
Death is inevitable but nothing of these guys knew they would take their last breath. Rapper, musician and recording artist Nipsey Hussle was allegedly killed in front of his merchandising store “The Marathon.” Hussle was an inspiration who always spread positive knowledge and energy out to anything he put forth. Hussle was a leader for the African-American community and his impact will continue forever like a marathon.
Music feeds the souls, but souls had ached after hearing about the death of Juice Wrld, who died from overdosing on pills. Juice Wrld’s fan base were super supportive of the type of music he made. Through his poetic lyrics and sad melodic heartbreaks, Juice Wrld’s music has brought a lot of people through dark times. The world was super sad when they found out a 21-year-old had left the world at such a young age; still to this day he has the most internet streams out of any artist.
Waking up every day can be a blessing for others and some may never get a chance to wake up again. Actor Cameron Boyce was a Disney channel star but one day he never got the chance to even say good morning again. Boyce died in his sleep while having a seizure which was unexpected. Children and others mourn as they saw their childhood actor pass away.
Katherine Alvarez, biology major, “Growing up watching Jessie every Friday was the best but imagining so one so young that I use to watch who is gone is shocking,” Alvarez said.
Life should not be taken for granted because we never know when the last time we are going to live it. Honoring these icons can lead people to make a positive change in their lives to make an impact on the lives of the ones they love.
