Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Motivated By Lasting Message Received In Conversations With Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Motivated By Lasting Message Received In Conversations With Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant

Matthew Moreno
April 26, 2020
4 Min Read
Kobe Bryant, Staples Center
Harrison Hill/USA TODAY
SHARE

The sports world and Southern California in particular were thrown into a state of shock in January when Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers tragically passed away in a helicopter accident.

The group was traveling to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy, where Gianna and her teammates were set to participate in a tournament. The flight was one Bryant had regularly taken and given the aura of invincibility he created during an illustrious career, it made the tragedy all the more difficult to accept as reality.

His passing resonated with several Dodgers, some of whom were fortunate to meet the five-time champion when he attended a 2018 World Series game at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner were among those to speak publicly about Bryant, and other teammates shared messages on social media.

During a recent appearance on AM 570’s “Dodger Talk,” Mookie Betts revealed he had developed somewhat of a relationship with Bryant, and after being traded to the Dodgers, the two were likely to meet in Los Angeles:

“Obviously I’m a fan. I actually got to talk to him a pretty decent amount through Body Armor when we did things together. When I was struggling last year early on, me and him talked a little bit. He kind of gave me some words of advice. Last time I talked to him, I told him I’d see him out in L.A. And then the [accident] happened, so it’s really unfortunate.”

Like several other athletes and those who crossed paths with Bryant, Betts took the message of always needing to be confident in his abilities:

“Just [to keep moving forward] and that I have to be myself. No matter what I have to keep trying to instill fear in whoever I’m competing against, no matter how I feel. That kind of resonated. No matter how I felt that day, I was going to go in, be confident in myself and do what I can.”

When reflecting on the impact Bryant had on his life, Turner expressed a feeling shared by thousands. “I think the hard part for everyone is he grew up in the living room with you,” Turner said in January.

“Watching him play for so many years, my generation, when you think sports in L.A., Kobe is the top of the top. Just really feeling for his family — Vanessa and the girls. It’s difficult to even wrap your head around. As much as he’s done on the court, the things he was doing and getting involved in after his career, are remarkable.

“You don’t find superstars of his caliber continue to be that influential in a community and for the game of basketball, especially fo women’s basketball. He’s a guy I always looked up to. Every time I had a water bottle or piece of trash or picking up balls in the cage, you grab it and shoot it towards the trash can or ball basket and yell, ‘Kobe!’

“I’m just glad I got to grow up watching him and seeing everything he did and how amazing of a man he was. It’s pretty special.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Kobe BryantLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles LakersMookie Betts
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Cody Bellinger, Kyle Garlick and Chris Taylor celebrate after a win against the San Francisco Giants
Dodgers News

Cody Bellinger Praises Dodgers’ Organizational Depth Amid Successes Of Matt Beaty, Will Smith & Kyle Garlick

July 19, 2019
July 19, 2019
Trea Turner
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Trea Turner ‘Excited’ To Be 2022 MLB All-Star Game Starter

July 9, 2022
July 9, 2022
Adrian-gonzalez-joc-pederson-2
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Joc Pederson Reinstated From Concussion Disabled List, Adrian Gonzalez Placed On DL

June 13, 2017
June 13, 2017
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Wanted To ‘Show A Vote Of Confidence’ In Joe Kelly By Using Him For 8th Inning Against Cubs

April 26, 2019
April 26, 2019

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어