Alex Morgan’s Subtle Birthday Wish to Kobe Bryant Is All Heart

US soccer icon Alex Morgan made sure to celebrate Kobe Bryant’s birthday on Friday, August 23, with a simple but heartfelt tribute. On Instagram, Morgan shared a post from the Players’ Tribune highlighting Bryant’s perspective when it comes to basketball. The post featured an old quote from the Los Angeles Lakers icon in which he said, “Everything I saw, heard, read, or felt was viewed through the lens of basketball.”

It further read, “This perspective makes me curious about everything, makes everything interesting, and means that life is a living library where all I need to do is pay attention.” Morgan didn’t write anything as she shared the message, but she did put two purple heart emojis, referencing one of the main colorways of the Lakers while celebrating the life and legacy of the Black Mamba.

It has been four years since Kobe Bryant passed away. He would have been 46 on Friday. However, while the Lakers legend is long gone, he continues to inspire countless athletes like Alex Morgan.

Several other players also sent their greetings for Kobe Bryant as they commemorated his birthday, including LeBron James. The current Lakers superstar posted “HBD MAMBA” on his IG Stories while sharing an old video of Team USA singing Kobe a birthday song.

Indeed, Bryant’s legacy will forever live on.