KOBE

There’s something about being so physically close to a worldwide tragedy. When Michael Jackson died, I was in West LA, about two miles…

August 23, 1978 — January 26, 2020.

There’s something about being so physically close to a worldwide tragedy. When Michael Jackson died, I was in West LA, about two miles from Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Undoubtedly the greatest performer of my lifetime and maybe of all time. 🎤

Kobe Bryant’s helicopter went down today in Calabasas, which is 20 miles from our home here in Burbank. 🚁

Many of you know I’m a basketball fan. I grew up on Michael Jordan (no page, just like Jesus Christ), and in recent years, rooted for fellow Ohioan LeBron James (Cavs and Lakers). 🏀

Amit Barot took me to my first Los Angeles Lakers game. He has season tickets so we had pretty darned good seats with a nice clear view of the court and of my favorite actor of all time. 😎

The coolest part was going down to the tunnel where the Lakers run out to the court. All 20 of us VIPs (not that I’m a VIP but I was that day, courtesy of Barot) stood along the tunnel walls and put our hands out. What a thrill when Kobe’s hand touched mine for a brief second… I got to give Kobe Bryant a hi-five! 🙌🏾

Barot and I just exchanged texts… he’s understandably devastated. I think we’re all in shock out here in LA. 😢

As I text with my friends, Casey and Jim, back in Cincinnati, we’re remembering that we often forget that celebrities are actually people. They can undergo tragedies like the rest of us. I can’t imagine the final seconds of the life of this legend (but more importantly… human). Or maybe I just don’t want to. To crash down in flames with your 13-year-old daughter. I’m sure he’d trade all of his achievements, his fame, his fortune… all he’s ever done to live a normal life and see his children grow up. 🙏🏾

And to think they are holding the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs tonight in that same building, the Staples Center. How strange and precious and ephemeral life is. My wife (same birthday as Kobe) and I will tune in to see what I’m sure will be a fitting tribute.

Thank you to Brandon Reid Pridgett and Samia Khan for the immediate text and call, and to Zoran Saher for the epic photo.

R.I.P., Kobe Bryant… and to all of the other people who perished, lesser known but no less important.

Basketball legend, fellow Angeleno, and above all… father, husband, and human being. 💙

Rajiv Satyal is a standup comedian. He resides in Los Angeles.