Sunday’s game meant a lot to Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Not only did his team win the NFC championship, securing a trip to New Orleans for another chance at the Lombardi trophy, but it happened on the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death.

Social media was filled with photographs, memories and stories of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant as people looked back at his life and career.

Several women’s basketball players, including Dallas Wings' Satou Sabally, reflected on what he meant to their game and how he championed it.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement on the 5-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing: “Kobe Bryant continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring and current NBA and WNBA players, young athletes playing at all levels and those who are motivated solely by his relentless pursuit of excellence.

The impact of Bryant’s career, and the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ carry on in the kind of way that almost makes you forget that he’s gone.

Even with all of 2020's tragedies, the events of Jan. 26 still devastate. On the anniversary of that horrific crash, we remember Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna and the other seven souls lost.

The tragedy was met with countless tributes, mourning, and remembrance from the sports community. Five years later, their legends live on. The NBA world reacted to the anniversary of the Bryants' death across social media on Sunday. Here's a look:

A Denver-based artist was commissioned by Nike to paint a Kobe Bryant mural in Venice Beach. An Instagram post featuring the piece has been viewed 2 million times.

The Los Angeles Lakers' social media offering on Sunday morning was both delightfully sweet and devastatingly sad.

Five years after NBA great Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in California, several women’s basketball players reflected on what he meant to their game and how he championed it.

"This has been, this has been absolutely beautiful., I can't believe it comes to an end. The post Tom Brady’s Strong Gesture for NBA Icon Joined by WNBA, Lakers Support to Remember Late Kobe Bryant Post Tragic Death appeared first on EssentiallySports.