Viral Kobe Bryant clip on ESPN inspires others to tell their #girldad stories
In the wake of the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, countless anecdotes have emerged to tell the story of Bryant, the person.
One of them, told by ESPN’s Ellen Duncan on Monday night’s SportsCenter, is inspiring even more powerful messages.
"I would have 5 more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad."@elleduncanESPN's story about how much Kobe loved his daughters is something special. pic.twitter.com/1KJx17QRjY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 28, 2020
“I asked him advice on raising girls, as he quite famously had three at the time,” Duncan said of Bryant. “He said, ‘just be grateful that you’ve been given that gift because girls are amazing ... I would have five more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.’”
Duncan’s retelling of her run-in with the Los Angeles Lakers great and how much he loved being a father of, three at that point, eventually four, daughters led to the creation of the #girldad hashtag, and the parents of Twitter were more than happy to tell the story of their own children.
By the grace of God and the beautiful gift of adoption I am a #GirlDad. Kobe was such a great example... I can’t wait to try and follow in his footsteps #MambaDad pic.twitter.com/lHbl4E30u7
— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) January 28, 2020
I'm so proud and lucky to be a #GirlDad. ❤️❤️ https://t.co/sluOIktQwu
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) January 28, 2020
The last time I remember John crying, aside from this week, was when Luna wrapped her little finger around his at the hospital when she was born. There really is something magical about girls and their dads. Thank you, @elleduncanESPN https://t.co/P4VL5Z8dC4 pic.twitter.com/hgWWB0DHcB
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 28, 2020
3 boys, 2 miscarriages (also boys) and lots of resolve from my wife made it possible for me to finally become a #girldad to shyla 3 years ago ❤️ pic.twitter.com/g7kEfrorIm
— Mayar Zokaei (@ZokaeiWorld) January 28, 2020
They are my world #girldad pic.twitter.com/6sEaQygjZu
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) January 28, 2020
My favorite title: A girl Dad.
You give me life, you are my air, you are my heart. I wish you only knew, just how much I really love you, kid. 💜💛 #girldad #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/k9wE81WgWq— J.T. Yuodis,PIO (@PIOYuodis37) January 28, 2020
My baby Reign ♥️♥️♥️ #girldad pic.twitter.com/Mj7HDmMRkJ
— Timbaland (@Timbaland) January 28, 2020
Love being a #girldad pic.twitter.com/73lE5GbVGs
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) January 28, 2020
Proud #girldad pic.twitter.com/aGtXxEbVhT
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) January 28, 2020
My husband isn't very active on Twitter but his most viral moment on the internet is him teaching our daughter the magic of Pokemon: #girldad pic.twitter.com/Fs42zYl7dt
— Elle Maruska (they/them) (@ellle_em) January 28, 2020
Duncan was clearly touched to see the impact her story had.
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
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