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It’s hard to think of anything else this morning
You all come to this space for Mizzou-related tidbits, and you specifically come here for daily Mizzou links. I feel like it’s necessary to note this considering that the news of the past 24 hours, and likely of the next 24 as well, has nothing at all to do with Mizzou.
I won’t take the time to write any sort of obituary for Kobe Bryant, or any of the other lives that were tragically lost on Sunday morning. There are plenty of excellent ones out there already. Bill Plaschke’s is particularly heart-wrenching. Charles Pierce for Esquire perhaps captured some of my thoughts most accurately, though far more beautifully than I could have ever done. (Editor’s note: I highly recommend Benjamin Hochman’s piece in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as well)
It is somewhat curious, though, how I never even second-guessed what today’s links would open with. Sports writers and bloggers often like to wax poetic about how important sports are — how they connect us in some grander way that’s bigger than ethnicity, nationality, religion, politics or whatever way we choose to separate ourselves from everyone else. And most of the time — as someone who admittedly does this — it’s just wishful thinking. Sports are silly, laundry-based games that we care about because we’re competitive and tribalistic. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those things in this context, but we should be careful to not assign the whole enterprise more importance than it’s due.
But Sunday? Sunday did signal a greater power in sports, and there’s no one on earth that can deny it.
For much of Sunday, many Missouri basketball players and notable alumni chose to respond to the news in their own way.
- Alumnus Sophie Cunningham:
RIP Mamba.
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) January 26, 2020
“I love the feistiness you play with. That’s going to take you far.”
Prayers and hugs. https://t.co/VicFY0Uq11
- Former Tiger Michael Porter, Jr.:
Michael Porter Jr. reacts to the passing of Kobe Bryant, after today's game against the Rockets.#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/E8Vz5jOeff
— AltitudeTV (@AltitudeTV) January 27, 2020
- Freshman Aijha Blackwell:
Forever will mimic your passion and determination for the game. You’ve taught me to simply never be scared of anything or anyone. Man my mind is gone.. Heart is heavy and I promise I will forever have a “MAMBA MENTALITY” every time I touch that floor #ripgigi pic.twitter.com/MDWbvqWLUM
— Aijha Blackwell (@AijhaAnniece) January 27, 2020
- Senior Jordan Roundtree:
I absolutely cannot believe this. I don’t understand how this can be true. Superstars aren’t invincible. Life is fragile for every single person. Gigi didn’t get her chance to be the star she was destined to be. Take nothing for granted. pic.twitter.com/1TEdN3ectb
— Jordan Roundtree (@JRound22) January 27, 2020
- Alum (and former teammate) Jordan Clarkson
- Several other current Mizzou Tigers retweeted messages of sorrow and grief surrounding the news.
Yesterday at Rock M
More Links:
- Dave Matter recapped Saturday’s blowout loss to West Virginia.
- The Mizzou women couldn’t pull off an upset in College Station, falling to No. 15 Texas A&M
FINAL #Mizzou back home Thursday to face No. 12/13 Kentucky.#MIZ #OurTownOurTeam pic.twitter.com/S6UAX73hHm
— Mizzou Basketball (@MizzouWBB) January 26, 2020
- Tyler Murray at ABC 17 spoke with Coban and Jevon Porter about their basketball family, and once again, the impact of Kobe Bryant on their lives.
Kobe Bryant impacted a whole generation of basketball players. Tolton standouts Jevon and Coban Porter (@ctreyp) say his game helped inspire theirs.
— Tyler Murry (@TylerMurryABC17) January 27, 2020
We talk Tolton hoops, their family in basketball and more on Sunday Sit-Down tonight on FOX 22 at 9:30 and ABC 17 at 10:30. pic.twitter.com/joPQk8XXrZ
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