Why Kobe Bryant Was Not Only a Great Player and #GirlDad But an Overall Great Man
Just a few short days ago, the world lost a legend. Basketball star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash.
There were seven others on board the morning of Sunday, January 26th. Sadly, everyone on the helicopter perished in the crash. It was reported that Kobe was on his way to a special game that Gianna was going to play in, along with two of her teammates.
Now, almost every single news report spoke on a ton of great things about Kobe’s career and family but, somehow, they just had to keep bringing up the rape case he was involved in back in 2003. If you don’t know, Kobe was accused and arrested for his alleged connection to a sexual assault complaint filed by a 19-year-old Colorado hotel employee. He later denied her claims and assured that there were relations but under consensual circumstances.
However, at a time like this, why is that constantly being brought up? As if his wife and family aren’t mourning enough, people want to talk badly about him. What about all of the good that he’s done?
Since that situation happened, Kobe has walked an incredible path! Joining the NBA at only 18 years old and straight out of high school, he was the youngest player in NBA history back in 1996. Let’s celebrate his many accomplishments instead of talking about his past constantly, shall we?
Of those many accomplishments were his marriage and his four beautiful children. Kobe married his wife, Vanessa, in 2001. Their first daughter, Natalia Diamante was born shortly after in 2003. She was followed by Gianna Maria-Onore (2006), Bianka Bella (2016) and recently-born baby girl, Capri Kobe (2019). I truly believe that of all the things Kobe achieved in his life, his family was his greatest achievement.
His tragic passing comes just shy of a year of late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s passing in Los Angeles as well. The world, and more importantly, Los Angeles, lost two great men. To the City of Angels, we’re all still grieving with you, but this just makes it that much harder.
Let’s not just honor the memory of Kobe and his daughter, but the other seven victims as well.
RIP Kobe Bryant
RIP Gianna Bryant
RIP John Altobelli
RIP Keri Altobelli
RIP Alyssa Altobelli
RIP Sarah Chester
RIP Payton Chester
RIP Christina Mauser
RIP Ara Zobayan
Kobe Bryant, NBA star who spent his entire NBA career (20 Seasons) with the Lakers.
Gianna, 13-year-old daughter to Kobe Bryant and lovingly referred to as Mambacita.
John Altobelli, head coach of the Orange Coast College Pirates.
Keri Altobelli, wife to John and mother to Alyssa.
Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna’s teammate and close Bryant family friend.
Sarah Chester, mother to Payton Chester and mother of three.
Payton Chester, Gianna’s teammate and sweetest soul you’d ever meet.
Christina Mauser, wife, mother of three and assistant coach of the Mambas. Loving referred to as the Mother of Defense.
Ara Zobayan, 20-year pilot veteran and Kobe Bryant’s personal pilot.
While the world mourns the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, let’s not forget the others who died with them as well. Although they may have not lived their lives as publicly as the Bryant family, they still have families mourning them too. If you would like to help the other families affected by this tragedy, please go to www.MambaOnThree.org to donate.
Vanessa Bryant posted a loving tribute to her husband and daughter on the Wednesday after everyone passed away. She also asked that you respect their privacy as well as the privacy of the other families while they navigate their new reality.
All nine souls aboard helicopter N72EX baring the Black Mamba logo will all be missed. Rest in paradise to you all.
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