A Tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do” - Kobe Bryant.
After the tragic incident that occurred this past weekend, it feels weird and inappropriate to move on without addressing the legacy of the household figure, Kobe Bryant. Not only was Bryant a 5 time National Champion, father, husband, and friend, he also was a significant supporter of women in sports and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Today we honor him and his daughter Gianna (Gigi) for their contributions to the understated female athlete movement. Before we move forward in the article, we will honor the lives of the other seven individuals, many of whom also contributed to the athletic field.
John Altobelli.
Keri Altobelli.
Alyssa Altobelli.
Chrsitina Mauser. Payton Chester.
Sara Chester. Ara Zobayan.
We are keeping your loved ones in our thoughts and prayers and we thank you for all that you gave to this world (for more information on each individual check the last link at the bottom).
Now, to Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant was a symbol for what women in sports desire from men in the field; constant support and encouragement. Really, that’s all we ask for. Some publicity, some recognition, some sold out arenas for our hard work. Bryant was an ally to players in the WNBA and showed constant advocacy by attending games, highlighting games on his ESPN show “Detail”, etc. Additionally, he held workout sessions with WNBA players such as Candace Parker, Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson. Kobe even demonstrated his constant support for breeding a new generation of female basketball players by attending women's collegiate games, speaking with their athletes, and not to mention coaching his own youth girls team. The work he did and the recognition he gave to female basketball players can not go unrecognized.
We must credit part of this respect and support to his second daughter, Gigi, who also unfortunately died in the tragic plane incident. Gigi Bryant. Gigi was a successful basketball player who had plans on playing in the WNBA and desired to be on the team at the University of Connecticut. In a Jimmy Kimmel interview, Kobe told a story about how when people told him he needed a boy to carry on his basketball legacy, Gigi responded with, something along the lines of, “I got this.” Kobe would then reaffirm her confidence. The essence in the statement is the fact that Kobe didn’t need a son to carry on his name in the basketball world. He believed in her and women in sports to carry on his legacy. We must all believe in this too.
In fact, Kobe told CNN earlier this month, “I think there are a couple of players [in the WNBA] who could play in the NBA right now, honestly”. He believed, so why don’t we?
Another special aspect of Kobe Bryant’s legacy is that fact he uplifted all girls to play sports, even if it wasn’t basketball. After retiring in 2016, Kobe rejected the idea of leaving the sports world completely and instead opened Mamba Academy in Newbury Park. Mamba has programs for a variety of sports for different ages and genders such as basketball, volleyball, track and endurance, and football. He inspired the younger generation, and we can not allow this legacy and purpose to evaporate.
To Kobe, your accomplishments in the basketball field and your advocacy for women in sports is not, and will never be, underappreciated. We thank you. We as in the fans, athletes, women, and children you have so deeply affected with your respect to women's sports. We, those very same people, will never allow your legacy to end. Sending nothing but love to everyone affected by this tragedy.
“The moment you give up, is the moment you let somebody else win” - Kobe Bryant.
Sources:
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2020/1/28/21111224/kobe-gigi-bryant-womens-basketball-uconn-wnba
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/opinion/kobe-bryant-women-basketball.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/opinions/kobe-bryant-championed-wnba-gianna-bryant-jones/index.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk00epALZps
https://www.goalcast.com/2018/12/28/kobe-bryant-quotes/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-victims/story?id=68559524