#GirlDad Goes Viral After ESPN Anchor Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant
Share This article
The tragic loss of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna have inspired so many tributes through kind words and heartfelt messages.
ESPN anchor Elle Duncan shared her memory of Bryant while anchoring "SportsCenter" on Monday night. She revealed that the one and only time she met Bryant was backstage at an event in New York.
As I knew she would, @elleduncanESPN brought a much-needed perspective to the death of #KobeBryant. Proud of you, Sis! pic.twitter.com/VfbuAgg6AN #Kobe
— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) January 28, 2020
At the time of the encounter, Duncan was eight months pregnant with a girl. Bryant noticed her belly and the two began to discuss parenthood.
When Duncan explained that she was expecting a girl, Bryant high-fived her and said, "Girls are the best."
Duncan asked him for advice on raising girls, considering that Bryant was the father of three at the time.
"Just be grateful that you've been given that gift because girls are amazing," he said. She then asked if he wanted to have more children and without hesitating, Bryant replied, "I would have five more girls if I could, I'm a girl dad."
Duncan explained that Bryant continued to talk about his girls and how his basketball-playing daughter Gianna was "a monster, a beast. She is better than I was at her age, she's got it."
Moved to tears, Duncan admitted that she has found solace in knowing that Bryant died doing what he loved the most.
"When I reflect on this tragedy and the half an hour that I spent with Kobe Bryant two years ago, I suppose the only small source of comfort for me is knowing he died doing what he loved the most. Being a dad. Being a 'girl dad.'"
The ESPN clip was shared on social media, prompting many other dads to hashtag the term "girldad", celebrating the joy of being a father to girls.
#GirlDad An indescribable feeling. pic.twitter.com/pptG2PYhYQ
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) January 29, 2020
So proud of all 3 of my girls! No greater blessing. #girldad pic.twitter.com/OnKXg7tb3v
— Marcus Wilson (@marcwil38) January 29, 2020
There is nothing better! #girldad pic.twitter.com/G7UKprQqBd
— Ryan Nehlen (@CoachRyanNehlen) January 29, 2020
From the moment you were born, my whole life changed. Don’t care who you are, all daughter’s changes the lives of all dads! My twin...love you! #girldad pic.twitter.com/0oeqzbt3ij
— Jason L. Glenn M.Ed (@CoachJGlenn) January 29, 2020
#girldad ... my 3 girls are my world.
— David Kitchen (@Socrdave) January 29, 2020
Sunday night as I was walking through the house, they asked “Daddy will you play with us?” After watching Kobe stuff all day, I dropped what I was doing and played.
A man’s legacy that inspires others to be better fathers >>> pic.twitter.com/qgpym8ifzP
The widespread support of the hashtag encouraged Duncan to tweet, "I'm so moved by the outpouring of support behind my story about Kobe. And I love that #girldad is trending."
I’m so moved by the outpouring of support behind my story about Kobe. And I love that #girldad is trending.. so for all those proud fathers who still have their girls to love on can you flood my timeline with pics of you and your flock. Honestly I need it as much as anyone rt now
— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) January 28, 2020
Share This article