ESPN Anchor Gives Most Moving Tribute to Kobe the Dad

I have seen so many incredible tributes since since the shocking passing of Kobe Byrant on Sunday.  I have heard former teammates talk of the athlete he was. I have heard friends reflect on the buddy he was. Celebrities and fans alike  have poured out their memories and love for the man who lost his life way too soon. Yet it was one tribute that both struck me and moved me so much more than the others.ESPN Anchor Gives Most Moving Tribute to Kobe the Dad

SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan took to the airways to talk about the Bryant. She spoke of her first and only interview with Kobe, and how it centered on parenthood and more specifically his love for his four daughters. Kobe was the proud parent to Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, Capri, 7 months, and Gianna (a.k.a. Gigi), 13, who sadly perished alongside her famous father.

At the time of the interview Duncan was 8mths pregnant, which started a parenting conversation right away the the basketball legend. She comments how he quickly turned the conversation to her asking "'How are you? How close are you? What are you having?" He was excited to hear it all.  "'A girl,' I said and then he high-fived me [and replied]: ‘Girls are the best.'" She went on to say, "I asked him for advice on raising girls, seeing as though he quite famously had three at the time, and he said, ‘Just be grateful that you've been given that gift because girls are amazing.'"

Duncan reflected on their conversation stating how Kobe's daughter Bianka was about 36-months-old at the time, so she asked him if he wanted more children. "He said that his wife Vanessa really wanted to try again for a boy, but was sort of jokingly concerned that it would be another girl," she explained. "I was like, ‘Four girls, are you joking? Like, what would you think? How would you feel?' And without hesitation he said, ‘I would have five more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad.'"

Her tribute to the man she only met once, yet had touched her so deeply, was heartfelt and real. It shed light on what really mattered to one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Not the money, not the wins, but his girls. His family.  Elle Duncan, and maybe so many others out there, can find some comfort in that.