Last April 13 was the day that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant took off his basketball shoes and finally retired. That day was also quite memorable for Tiger Woods as he finally bid his goodbyes to yet another professional sportsman honoring Bryant on social media.
The social media posts were rampant since Bryant addressed the crowd at the Staples Center in his last game as a professional basketball player with his team for 20 years, Lakers against the Utah Jazz.
Part of the majority who took their time to praise the famous Bryant, otherwise called the Black Mamba, was Woods, who posted a photo of himself with the words "Tough" that included Bryant's signature logo on social media.
The famed professional golfer honored his fellow sportsman as Bryant finally retires. "As a diehard @Lakers fan, thank you @kobebryant for all the memories and of course the 5 titles!" Woods wrote as a caption on Twitter.
CBS Sports reports that the two apparently almost had similar careers except that they played an entirely different sport. Woods was even quoted reminiscing the retirement he himself experienced after 20 years.
"To see Kobe step down," Woods told PGA Tour Radio, as per the publication. "To see Jeets (Derek Jeter) step down. We all came out at the same time. We kind of had parallel careers, all of us. To know that we've done it for 20 years ... it's pretty cool to see those guys about the same age do those things."
"Five rings, I believe, maybe seven Finals or something like that," Woods continued. "You add up all those games, it takes a toll on the body. And eventually, it just doesn't heal anymore. That sport is so fast and so athletic and so quick. It's just tough. It's been tough to watch him go through the season he's had. And understandably so, he's been there for 20 years."
So from one athlete to another, the sporting world consider the two as legends in their own sport. Meanwhile, aside from Woods, other known athletes were also quite supportive and respectful of the 20 years that have passed with Bryant, Hollywood life reports.
Lebron James also posted a salute Instagram message for his known rival and said just how he respects Bryant. Furthermore, David Ortiz also wrote "congrats on ur amazing career @kobebryant !! hmu next year when we both hav 2 much free time LOL! #MambaDay#realrecognizereal," on Twitter.
