Alex Rodriguez Remembers Late Friend Kobe Bryant on His 42nd Birthday – Inside His Touching Tribute

Alex Rodriguez gave a heart-warming tribute to the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, whom he considered his close friend for 20 years.

In his Instagram post, former New York Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez penned a message to Bryant, who turned 42 on August 23. He said:

"Legends are missed, but never forgotten."

Still mourning the loss of his dear friend, Rodriguez, 45, recalled that he and Bryant had a quiet friendship. He described the former professional basketball player as a tough man but the kindest and smartest person he has ever met.

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, along with nine other passengers, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

He considered Bryant as his little brother, who inspired millions of fans because of his strong work ethic and extreme dedication to basketball.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant during his 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz players at the Staples Center in California. | Photo: Getty Images

Rodriguez shared that he met Bryant when they were in high school. Their bond became solid as they supported each other's professional career for years.

Unknown to many, Rodriguez said Bryant was his "secret coach" who kept pushing and motivating him. The legendary basketball star also showed support to Rodriguez's fiance, Jennifer Lopez, by coming to her last show in Las Vegas.

Vanessa thanked her husband of 20 years for teaching her to be strong and see the best side of every people she will encounter.

Lopez, 51, also remembered their beautiful memories with Bryant and his wife, Vanessa. The power couple has been longtime friends with the Bryant family.

After the devastating news about the basketball star's death, the multi-talented actress also sent words of encouragement to Bryant's wife.

The "Jenny from the Block" singer said that Vanessa's pain and grief are unimaginable after losing a husband and a child in one day.

Several months after her husband's death, Vanessa, 38, recently posted an emotional and heart-crushing message on Instagram, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The mother of four expressed that she longed to wake up from her horrible nightmare as she has been sorely missing her husband and Gianna, whom she fondly called "Gigi."

Vanessa thanked her husband of 20 years for teaching her to be strong and see the best side of every people she encounters.

Another wife who has been mourning her husband's death is Amanda Kloots, who admitted longing deeply for Nick Cordero, her husband, who died last July 5 due to coronavirus complications.

The 38-year-old fitness instructor recently opened up on how "surreal and horrible" she felt while picking up her late husband's ashes. She also confessed how hard it was to function after her husband's death.

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