While Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna may be gone, their legacies still remain.
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Vannessa Bryant and the Lakers franchise recently unveiled a new statue in honor of Kobe and his daughter. It features Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a happy and loving embrace. Kobe is wearing a hoodie and a Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gianna gifted him. Gianna smiles as her dad kisses her forehead.
Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gianna Immortalized In Bronze
This heartfelt statue is located outside of Cypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Not only does it honor their legacy, but it also shines a light on the special bond they shared. The statue, named “Girl Dad,” features the father and daughter with angel wings.
“Celebrating Kobe’s love for his daughters,” reads a statement on the Laker’s website. “The bronze statue recognizes his unwavering pride in being a ‘Girl Dad’ and the Bryant family’s support for women and girls in sports. The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna’s exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship Kobe shared with all four of his daughters.”
Vanessa and the Lakers held a private ceremony honoring the statue’s creation and the pair it represents.
Kobe Bryant An Advocate For Females In Sports
When addressing the small group at the ceremony, Vannessa Bryant also brought to light another thing that this statue symbolizes. She discussed females in male-dominated sports with the following statements: “We merged two iconic courtside moments of Kobe and Gigi. Gianna has her gorgeous smile on her face and Kobe is kissing the top of her head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gigi gifted him for Christmas. He’s also wearing a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside to the game with Gigi. Kobe was the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a big game and that was to show his support for Gigi’s dreams and for women across all sports. That was a moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a powerful representation of the movement towards equality that was always so important to our family.“
Vannessa Bryant’s Heartwarming Address
In her address, Vannessa continued: “We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she’s a girl.” She then went on to encourage others to use Kobe and Gigi to guide them.
She added, “In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that because they can, they have and they will.”
The statue’s plaque is etched with the following words: “Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports” and “Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports.”
This story’s featured image is by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney.
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