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Vanessa Bryant Surprises Dodgers Star’s With Mamba Day Gift, Mookie Betts and More Floored by Special Surprise

Published 04/14/2024, 4:30 PM EDT

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The Blue Boys of the Los Angeles Dodgers got a pleasant surprise this weekend—a fit for a champion of this weekend straight from a legend’s legacy. Honoring Kobe Bryant on Mamba Day, the eighth anniversary of Bryant’s last NBA game, Vanessa Bryant delivered a gift to the entire team. Exclusive sneakers–the special edition Kobe 6 designed with the Dodgers’ signature colors.

The sneakers, part of Kobe’s signature Nike line, were more than a cool gift. They were a gesture of respect and a symbol of inspiration. Mamba Day, named after Bryant’s ‘Black Mamba’ moniker, is a day to celebrate his relentless story. The one bejeweled with his work ethic and competitive spirit. These are qualities any athlete of any sport would aspire to embody.

The Los Angeles Dodgers receive a special something

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The gesture evidently floored the Blue Crew players. Mookie Betts, the star outfielder of the team, declared that he’d be wearing his new kicks “every day,”. Manager Dave Roberts simply called them “ridiculous” – in the best way possible. Moreover, he vowed to “rock these with Mamba pride.” Social media was abuzz with photos and videos of players unboxing their new sneakers. The excitement was palpable.

This heartwarming gesture goes beyond just its face value of being cool sneakers. It’s a reminder of Kobe Bryant’s inspiring impact. And mind you, this is not only on basketball, but also on the entire world of sports. Vanessa Bryant’s generosity keeps his “Mamba Mentality” evergreen as he continues to inspire athletes across disciplines despite not being here in the flesh.

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Mamba Day, dedicated to Bryant’s Black Mamba nickname, is a day honoring and celebrating his relentless work ethic and competitive spirit. This mentality wasn’t restricted to the basketball court. In fact, it permeated his approach to everything he did. Remember his legendary workouts? Those were some grueling sessions that pushed him to his absolute limits for the best. 

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In honor of Kobe Bryant – Mamba Day

Bryant scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers as he played against the Utah Jazz at home. This was the last game of his career on April 13, 2016. His day is often referred to as ‘Mamba Day’ as a nod to his Black Mamba nickname and mentality. He tragically passed away in a helicopter crash at age 41 on the 26th of January 2020.

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Granted that the special edition shoes might not make a home run magically appear, however they’ll certainly serve as a reminder of dedication, perseverance, and the will to win. After all, these are the qualities that perfectly complement the fighting spirit of the Dodgers. With a tinge of Mamba magic on their feet, perhaps they will reach greater heights this season. 

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Written by:

Kanishka Prakash

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A pro MLB writer at EssentiallySports, Kanishka Prakash has two years of experience in content curation. Having multiple 'Editors Pick' under her name, Kanishka’s coverage focuses on the legendary Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and current superstars Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper. Not just that, she covers exclusives, her latest on a Chicago Cubs pitching coordinator, and also goes on to discuss trade agreements.
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Edited by:

Garima Yadav