Sports

Bill Belichick Reflects On Kobe Bryant: 'A Special Person'

As the sports world continues to mourn, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has offered up his own thoughts on the sudden death of Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday.
Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

BOSTON — As the sports world continues to mourn, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has offered up his own thoughts on the sudden and shocking loss of Kobe Bryant.

Prior to the 2018 season, Belichick invited Bryant to speak to the Patriots. In that meeting, Belichick said Bryant had every single player’s complete attention and respect.

“This is an extremely sad time for the entire sports community. In my 45 years in the NFL, I have never witnessed a group as captivated as the day Kobe addressed our team two years ago,” Belichick said in a statement, shared by ESPN’s Field Yates. “The respect and reverence he commanded far exceeded him being a legendary player. He was a special person with an unmatched passion, intensity and mentality toward achieving his goals. Kobe’s determination led to a brilliant athletic career and paved the way for successes in the next chapters of his life.”

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