Sports legend Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, coaches, friend die in helicopter crash; memorialized at Staples Center
Kobe Bryant 1978-2020
A total of 5 families were affected in the tragic helicopter crash
By Mona Austin
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were passengers in a helicopter that went down in foggy weather on the way to her basketball game for his Mamba League that he would have coached on Sunday morning. Including the Bryants, there were a total of nine people (not five as initially reported) aboard the private flight, including two other families. A total of five families are mourning loss from the tragedy, counting the pilot's. The crash took place in a residential area near Calabassas outside of Los Angeles. Reportedly, authorities are still conducting is an investigation to determined the specific reason for the crash. (The LA Police Department had grounded their fleet of helicopters due the fog.)
"Black Mamba" as Kobe was known, entered the league at the age of 18, having been drafted at the age of 17. He had grown up in Italy, fluent in Italian and Spanish. Well-rounded and grounded in ways many of his peers were not, he was a role model for many.
After retiring, Bryant, 41 opened a new chapter in his life focusing on education, although he chose the sport over getting a degree. He won an Oscar for the animated film, "I Love Basketball." Off the court he founded an organization to teach Chinese students English as a second language to encourage international business.
As a father to all girls --the youngest only 7 months -- it is heart breaking to reflect on the many father-daughter moments they will never share -- especially for 13-year-old Gigi who bonded with her father through the game of basketball.
Bryant preceded both of his parents in death, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant. His father played professionally overseas and coached him. The younger Bryant was raised by both of his parents. He has a fall out with them in 2013 when he discovered the family was trying to his high school memorabilia behind his back. Kobe was deeply hurt by his parents attempting to gain financially from him. Kobe had spoken publicly about the situation and revisited it in a 2016 article on ESPN saying, “Our relationship is sh*%,” “I say [to them], ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home, and the response is ‘That’s not good enough’?” he says. “Then you’re selling my shit?” They apologized in a statement but it is not known if the relationship with their son was ever restored.
He leaves behind his parents, two sisters, wife and three young daughters. RIP Mamba.
UPDATE. . .
He leaves behind his parents, two sisters, wife and three young daughters. RIP Mamba.
UPDATE. . .
KOBE'S FRACTURED FAMILY EXPOSED AMID GRIEF
The memorial service of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has exposed the importance of healing broken family relationships. The date, 2-24, symbolized the jersey number (now retired) of Bryant and his daughter "Gigi." His mother, father and sisters attended the televised event along with 20, 000 at the LA Staples Center, yet they were not acknowledged. Amid grief, the parents who helped develop his talent and character have been ignored throughout the tragic loss.
Millions watching reserved their condolences for young widow Vanessa Bryant and did not realize his immediate family was in mourning.
For many years the family was estranged due to a conflict over his possessions allegedly being sold without permission. Their issues go further back to when he first married Vanessa in 2001. His parents did not give their blessing over the union or attend the wedding, concerned that they were too young for marriage. The heart-break complications of their relationship seems to have lingered. READ MORE HERE.