The Kobe Bryant farewell tour stops in Atlanta on Friday night as Bryant plays his final road game against the Hawks. Of course, as farewell tours go for all-time great athletes, there is always some sort of tribute, not that Bryant gave teams on this current trip much time to prepare. Luckily the Hawks had help.
Zoo Atlanta teamed up with the Atlanta Hawks organization to name its black mamba snake “Kobe”.
Kobe Bryant plays his final game in Atlanta tomorrow.
We've teamed with @ZooATL to name their Black Mamba "Kobe." pic.twitter.com/AwlyzlEmnV
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 3, 2015
From the Atlanta Hawks:
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Dec. 4 at Philips Arena (8 p.m.) in Kobe Bryant’s final regular season game in Atlanta. To pay tribute to Bryant’s memorable career, the Hawks and Zoo Atlanta have announced that the Zoo will name its black mamba snake Kobe. In addition, the Hawks will make a donation to Zoo Atlanta to further honor Bryant.
The move is a great one by a Hawks franchise that has gone through quite the rebranding the past few seasons thanks to the work of CEO Steve Koonin.
Bryant will assuredly receive special treatment in other cities on his farewell tour, but how many are going to name their snake after him? That’s pretty high praise.
It’s worth noting that hawks eat snakes. Still, bravo, Hawks.
