Internet Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant with #GirlDad
Jan 31, 2020
Recently, a journalist’s account of how basketball star Kobe Bryant told her that he was proud to be a “girl dad” has initiated a viral social media trend. In this trend fathers posted photos with their daughters. Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash Sunday.
ESPN journalist Elle Duncan told about an encounter with the LA Lakers’ star during an event two years ago in New York. The journalist said that she was eight months pregnant at the time, prompting Bryant to immediately ask how she was doing.
Duncan said that when she told Bryant that she was having a girl, he had high-fived her, and said: “girls are the best.” She then asked Bryant – a father of four daughters – about having more girls.
An emotive Duncan said that he told her “I would have five more girls if I could. I am a girl dad.”
Vincent Goodwill tweeted the clip of Duncan, and it gained over 37 million views. It also prompted fathers to share photos with their daughters and sparked the trending hashtag #GirlDad:
From Instagram to Twitter, here are the pictures posted by dad’s:
My daughter usually gets in our bed in the AM and hugs mum. Not me.
— Jarrod Walsh (@jarrodwalsh) January 29, 2020
Today, she got in and hugged me. She didn't let go. We fell back to sleep. When I went to get out of bed, she said 'stay daddy'.
I treasured this morning and will never, ever take it for granted.#GirlDads
Proud to be a #girldad - plenty of fun moments that I cherish every day. ??
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) January 29, 2020
Shoutout to @elleduncanESPN for sharing her great Kobe story yesterday to inspire this. pic.twitter.com/ZbBeQNu4WL
Having a daughter is in fact a blessing. I never knew I could love someone so much ???? #girldad pic.twitter.com/pvBsLQ6WUH
— yourgirlsfavoritecapper???? (@clearyconfusedd) January 30, 2020
In honor of Kobe and Gianna. Nothing in the world like it. #GirlDad pic.twitter.com/rCdBWn8gu4
— TheCoachGieselman (@gieseldiesel) January 30, 2020
#girldad pic.twitter.com/UtVjPLE17A
— Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) January 28, 2020
Kobe was right. Girls are awesome. There’s something about having a daughter. #girldad #ko8e24 pic.twitter.com/9Fyo39oquL
— ???? (@heelkhalil) January 29, 2020
#girldad They are the best part of me, and it’s not close. pic.twitter.com/tJxyeBNbNV
— Jeremy Hefner (@jeremy_hefner53) January 29, 2020
So happy I can say I’m a member of #GirlDads
— Jeremy J (@backroadtaker) January 29, 2020
Their laughs, giggles, and smiles are pure soul food!!! pic.twitter.com/TpSHpba8bC
#GirlDads How much I love you , words or action will never be enough. I look at you and see perfection through my lens ! pic.twitter.com/ETukeoP97L
— Kenny Wayne ???? (@kennywayne6god) January 29, 2020
Saw #GirlDads trending and decided to join in... I love my daughter, Zoe!
— Joel Allen (@joelkevinallen) January 29, 2020
RIP #KobeBryant #GirlDad pic.twitter.com/ODWtU4dOvV
Dad of 5 girls here, this Kobe tragedy hit particularly close to home as I have the privilege of coaching 4 of my 5 this year (youngest not playing... yet). Thank you for your story, and I am praying for Vanessa and her daughters as well as the other victims. #girldad #GirlDads pic.twitter.com/2uSUW8s6Q0
— Mark McLaughlin (@mclaumar) January 28, 2020
Dad of 5 girls here, this Kobe tragedy hit particularly close to home as I have the privilege of coaching 4 of my 5 this year (youngest not playing... yet). Thank you for your story, and I am praying for Vanessa and her daughters as well as the other victims. #girldad #GirlDads pic.twitter.com/2uSUW8s6Q0
— Mark McLaughlin (@mclaumar) January 28, 2020
As #girldad is trending in honor of Kobe’s love for his daughters.... heres my daughter Gianna who’s affectionately known as Moana... she is the light of my life....#girldad pic.twitter.com/0AmCLpSGkv
— Te Pahau (@Te_Pahau) January 28, 2020
Because of the overwhelming response to the clip, Duncan said that she loved the fact that #girldad was trending.
Check out the clip below
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