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The LA Rams have joined the rest of Los Angeles in honoring the great, late Kobe Bryant in recent days.
The legendary Lakers star is being remembered as Monday (Aug. 24) is Mamba Day in Los Angeles. Bryant, of course, wore No. 8 and No. 24 with the Lakers. Sunday would have been Bryant’s 42nd birthday. He died in a helicopter accident in January along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people.
The Rams honored Bryant’s memory both Sunday and Monday.
On Sunday, Rams coach Sean McVay spoke about Bryant’s legacy and said the Rams’ have a portion of practice called “Mamba periods.” Fittingly, those periods are the competition part of practice as Bryant’s competitive nature was the hallmark of his game ... and life, for that matter.
"We've implemented when we do a lot of competitive-type periods we call those 'Mamba periods.'"
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 24, 2020
Happy birthday, Kobe #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/eKDQDVcz4P
On Monday, the Rams made space for Bryant in their locker room.
8/24.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 24, 2020
Remembering + honoring the legendary Kobe Bryant. Thank you for instilling the #MambaMentality in all of us on + off the field pic.twitter.com/osBbyN5PIZ
As the Rams start a new chapter in LA sports lore with the opening of SoFi Stadium, it’s nice to see them take time to join the celebration of Bryant, who will always be a beloved figure in the city.