The death of one of this century’s basketball icons left millions in shock. People all around the world came together to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant and the eight others killed — including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna — in a helicopter crash. Bryant left his mark on the court, leaving the game having been a five-time NBA champion, 17-time NBA All-Star, and two-time NBA finals Most Valuable Player. But that is just to name a few of the many accomplishments he achieved throughout his career. There is much more to Bryant than how he revolutionized the basketball court.
Kobe Bryant the “Girl Dad”
It was clear through interviews that Bryant took extreme pride in being a “Girl Dad.” He was father to four daughters and did everything in his power to spend time with them. Whenever asked if he wished to have a son to carry on his basketball legacy, Bryant always asserted that his daughter Gianna would carry it on. According to People, Bryant had “told Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that his daughter was looking forward to continuing his legacy and indeed had plans to join the WNBA.” Their shared passion for the sport strengthened their bond. He consistently showed that family was a priority. Soon after his death, the hashtag #girldad went viral as many celebrities and fans celebrated their relationships with their daughters.
Kobe Bryant the Writer
In 2015, Bryant published a prose poem titled “Dear Basketball” where he professed his love for the game. It was a sincere homage to the game that had revolutionized his life from the time he was a little boy to when he retired. The poem was published on the Players’ Tribune where many more of Bryant’s articles and short writing pieces can be accessed. In 2018, Bryant authored a book, ‘The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” after retiring. The goal of the book was to inspire others and teach them how to excel in the game physically and mentally.
Kobe Bryant the Accused
In 2003, Bryant was in the midst of his 20-year NBA career when he was accused of raping one of the hotel staff members at Cordillera Lodge and Spa in Edwards, Colorado. The case was eventually dropped and did little damage to his basketball career. However, it re-shaped the way his teammates and the world saw him. The case was widely overlooked in the broad scheme of things due to his stature on the basketball courts.
Kobe Bryant the Filmmaker
The basketball star also dabbled in the art of filmmaking. In 2018, Bryant won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for “Dear Basketball.” The film was based on his poem and another nod to his incredible sense of passion and love for the sport.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy will portray him as not just a basketball star but also a philanthropist, influencer, and businessman. He was not the perfect person, but he made incredible marks on millions of lives. One thing that can be noted from his lifetime is that he put passion and dedication behind everything that he did.
