Kobe Bryant and John Altobelli were two of the nine people who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles on Jan. 26.
Alongside them were both of their daughters who played on Bryant’s basketball team, Team Mamba. That led to them forming a bond as told by a inspirational and epic hype message Kobe sent to John and his baseball team back in 2019. Altobelli was the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College and the message Bryant sent to him was actually posted on his wall for all players to see.
At the time of his death, Altobelli was entering his 28th season as the head coach at Orange Coast College, winning over 700 games and leading the team to four state championships.
“It’s hard to put into words what this loss means to the college and the athletics department,” OCC Athletics Director Jason Kehler said in a statement. “John was a tremendous coach and an even better friend. Beyond that, he was an amazing mentor to all of the students and athletes that he taught and coached. He treated them all like family and his impact will live on forever.”
Altobelli’s wife, Keri, also perished in that helicopter crash.
The Altobelli family were honored at a memorial service at Angel Stadium.
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“This is pretty cool,” JJ said. “Thank you guys so much for coming, it really means a lot to all of us. On behalf of me, Lexi [Altobelli] and [fiancée] Carly [Konigsfeld], we can’t thank everyone here enough. The amount of love and support we’ve received these past few weeks has been truly amazing. Each text, call, donation or act of kindness has not gone unnoticed. It really shows the impact that my dad, K [Keri] and Alyssa had on everyone here.”
“I was going to get up here and talk about my dad, K, and Alyssa, but there’s no way for me to put what they meant to me into words,” he continued. “The legacy they left will continue to live on through all of us. But for tonight, let’s all live by my dad’s favorite motto: You drinkin’ or thinkin’?”
