UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Kobe Bryant was more than an athlete. His devotion to both the game and to his family inspired many, including a former basketball player at Morgan State University who helps young student-athletes think beyond sports.
When Blake Bozeman, a former guard on the men’s basketball team at Morgan State University thinks of Bryant’s legacy, he describes the legend as someone who was the "epitome of more than an athlete."
"Kobe had the capacity and the capability to make it cool to [not just] be a dominant athlete, but to be smart and articulate and accomplished in different realms," Bozeman said.
Bozeman, who grew up playing basketball throughout the D.C. area, admired Bryant for his drive and determination to be great at anything he put his mind to.
It was that ‘mamba mentality’ that inspired him to offer more help, in preparing for the future, to young athletes like Daemond Ford, 17, who attends Dr. Henry Wise High School.
“Kobe never took shortcuts, he always worked hard," Ford said, who too felt the sting when Bryant, his daughter and seven others died in a helicopter crash last week. “It was devastating.”
When Bozeman played basketball in college, he dreamed of going pro and admits there were no plans beyond it -- until he became a father the summer before senior year. At that moment, he knew he needed a backup plan beyond sports and shifted gears.
"I had to make a tough decision and hang the sneakers up,” Bozeman said, who made fatherhood a top priority. "Fortunately, I was prepared to take that transition."
Bozeman took an internship with the federal government which led to a job opportunity. Today, he uses all he has learned to give back.
A few years ago, he launched a non-profit called The Pivot Group, which uses workshops, panel discussions, networking event and mentorship to expose high school athletes across Prince George's County to different career fields and opportunities.
Next month, Bozeman plans to launch a new initiative that will help provide internships for young athletes. He hopes to find corporate partners.
"He made me think about life after basketball," Ford said, who has since discovered an interest in learning about real estate. He said he could see himself owning a business someday.
"Somebody has to be the guy to plant those seeds early in young athletes' minds to just start thinking about what else they can develop a passion for," Bozeman said.