Advertisement

Orange County declares Aug. 24 as Kobe Bryant Day

Kobe Bryant died just over six months ago, and Orange County, California, is working to keep his memory alive.

Orange County supervisors voted on Tuesday to declare Aug. 24 as Kobe Bryant Day across the county. Orange County Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel told NBC Los Angeles that Bryant was a "treasured member of our community," who "inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up."

Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others. His death sparked a worldwide reaction, but it was most intense in the Los Angeles area. Bryant spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and continued to live in the area after he retired, settling with his wife and daughters in Newport Beach.

A mural of Kobe Bryant in Burbank, Calif.
Kobe Bryant Day will be celebrated in Orange County, California, on Aug. 24. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Steel told NBC LA that she chose Aug. 24 for Kobe Bryant day because he wore the numbers 8 and 24 during his career, and that date was just one day after his birthday on Aug. 23.

Supervisor Don Wagner, while reflecting on Bryant’s life and the decision to honor him with his own day, noted that Bryant was far from perfect, perhaps referencing Bryant’s 2003 sexual assault civil case. However, he doesn’t believe that should prevent the county from celebrating someone who made such an impact on the world.

"Kobe Bryant's life, like each one of us who ever lived, presents moments to celebrate and to condemn,” Wagner said to NBC LA. "Kobe, like all of us, faced challenges, challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by life, that he overcome. Today, we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges."

More from Yahoo Sports: