2020 has been a roller coaster ride for everybody. From COVID-19 to murder hornets to the deaths of the most beloved celebrities. 

At the beginning of the year, basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, passed away due to a helicopter crash. Recently, actor Chadwick Boseman, passed away due to cancer. Today, we stand in remembrance of both influential figures and their accomplishments. 

The morning of January 26th, 2020: the start of any other normal day, or so people thought. Reports of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and five other passengers being killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California hit the headlines. This left not only basketball fans, but everyone who knew anything about him, devastated. It was so sudden, and many people were in disbelief and denial. Nobody would ever think Kobe Bryant, five time NBA champion, would just die randomly. Bryant was only 41 years old when he passed away. 

Many fans, and friends of Bryant, expressed their grief and sadness through twitter and other social media platforms. One of them being is LeBron James, who posted a picture with Bryan the day before his death. Pictures of James breaking out in tears also broke out into the media, showing how close he was with Bryant. 

Young basketball fans also were in grief due to the death of Bryant. Just like everyone else, most were in disbelief as well.  “I was devastated and heartbroken. I felt numb and empty because one of my childhood heroes passed away,” said 11th grader, Ayon Das. 

Kobe Bryant was known for his incredible work ethic and having a mental state that not many could possess known as “Mamba Mentality”. Not only was he a great, hard working basketball player, but he was also an amazing husband and father to his three daughters. Gigi Bryant, daughter of Kobe, who also passed away in the crash. She was to carry on Kobe’s legacy and she was getting early college attention. 

Another friend of Bryant was actor Chadwick Boseman. He expressed his grief and frustration by sharing a memorable anecdote of Bryant. Boseman explained how he met Bryant at a party and stated, “he is who they say he is.” He also explained how when they first met, they had never met before but it felt like they were already best friends. 

Unfortunately, on August 28th, 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away due to cancer, just 7 months after the death of Bryant. The famous actor who starred in movies including Black Panther, 42, Captain America Civil War, and many more, died at the age of 43. Many people were deeply saddened by his death because of his significant accomplishments as a film star. 

The news broke out when Chadwick Boseman’s Instagram account posted a picture breaking the news of his death. Boseman died peacefully next to his family and friends at home. The tributes on social media broke out on all platforms. Basketball star, Victor Oladipo, was a friend of Boseman and used his mask from the movie Black Panther in the 2018 NBA Dunk Contest to honor him. 

Many fans couldn’t believe it because Boseman never told anyone about his cancer besides close friends and family, so no one saw it coming. Fans of his movies remember his great acting and amazing personality. 

“Chadwick Boseman was a really good actor, and he did an amazing job displaying his talents on the screen. I was in disbelief when he passed away and I didn’t know what to think,” said 10th grader, Billy Hendryx. 

With 2020 coming to an end, many people are still in grief and disbelief of the deaths of Chadwick Boseman and Kobe Bryant. We stand in remembrance of both of them because of their great achievements, kindness, and their values of family. May they rest in peace.