Vanessa Bryant Shares Emotional Posts After School Retires Daughter Gianna's Jersey
The world was shocked to hear of basketball legend Kobe Bryant's and his daughter Gianna's deaths in January after a freak helicopter accident.
Wife and mother Vanessa Bryant has since been using social media to keep the memory of her loved ones alive.
Bryant has been expressing her grief on Instagram.
Gianna was 13 years old when she passed away in the helicopter crash, along with her father and all other seven passengers.
The group was en-route to a school basketball game. Gianna's teammates Payton Chester, 13, and Alyssa Altobelli, 14, along with members of their families and the chopper's pilot, were also victims in the crash.
Much like her father, Gianna was a gifted basketball player.
Gianna was nicknamed "Mambacita", an homage to her father's nickname "Black Mamba." She aspired to attend the University of Connecticut and to play on their basketball team. She was a student at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, CA, where she played on the basketball team, which was coached by her father and Christina Mauser, who also died in the helicopter crash.
On Wednesday, the private school held a jersey retirement ceremony in the young girl's honor.
Vanessa posted about the ceremony on Instagram, during which the school retired Gianna's number "2" jersey.
She also posted videos of students and faculty members speaking about her daughter.
Gianna was a member of the eighth grade student council, and her peers praised her leadership skills and kindness.
A group of younger students who knew Gianna sang Maroon 5's "Memories" in remembrance. Music teacher Yunga Webb tearfully explained the song choice:
"I chose that song because I intend to keep Gianna with us in our own special way, through all that we do."
Webb went on to describe Gianna:
"I want to speak to her character, mostly. This is a person who never slung mud... Talking bad about others, never heard her do that. She was always above that, she would always rise above that. She didn't engage in these trivial conversations that were not positive. She stayed positive."
Athletic facilities director Michael Coleman closed the ceremony, praising Gianna as a basketball player and a student.
"Today we honor Gianna as a student and as an athlete. As a coach, we always want to find and coach students who are committed, dedicated, and passionate about a sport. Gianna was all of these."
Coleman became emotional as he described her as a compassionate and inspiring friend, and how he hoped the students would keep her in their memories.
"She'll be the last person to wear the number two for Seahawk basketball team. We hope that when you look at her jersey hanging in the gym, you will remember Gianna and be inspired to work hard and be passionate about whatever your interest is."
The ceremony was emotionally moving, and people flooded the posts with well wishes for the Bryant family.
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Along with Vanessa Bryant, Kobe and Gianna are survived by daughters and sisters Bianka, Natalia and Capri.
Dwyane Wade's Interview About Raising A Queer Child Is A Must-Watch Master Class In Parenting
Former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade just opened up about parenting his queer child.
And his powerful message was a slam dunk for the LGBTQ community.
In Wednesday's moving interview on Showtime's All the Smoke podcast, Wade said that his 12-year-old child, Zion Malachi Airamis—who is openly a part of the LGBTQ community and prefers the pronoun she—has "way more strength and courage" than he has.
In November, social media users expressed their objection to Thanksgiving photos that his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, posted on Instagram, which revealed Zion's long finger nails and her sporting a cropped top.
The photo sparked a lot of hate-filled messages, with narrow-minded people being more fixated on Zion's nails and outfit over reasons to be grateful during the holidays.
When asked to comment on the backlash over having a queer child, the former Miami Heat player touched on unconditional love, being transparent and the importance of visibility and allowing kids to be "seen."
"Me and my wife, we talk about making sure our kids understand the power in their voice."
"We want them to be whoever they feel that they can be in this world. That's our goal. Understand you can be whoever and you can be whatever."
You can watch the full All the Smoke interview, here.
Dwyane Wade | Ep 9 | Big 3, Zaire, Retirement | ALL THE SMOKE Full Podcastwww.youtube.com
In his conversations, Wade prepared Zion about the reality of growing up and facing negativity, not only as a queer person, but also as someone who is Black.
Much respect to @DwyaneWade for being so accepting of his child ❤️ Life is hard enough so I’m sure his support mean… https://t.co/9H4ioXFijh— b (@b) 1576824986
The 37 year-old is also a father to Kaavia James, 13 months; Xavier Zechariah, 6; Zaire Blessing Dwyane, 17 and is a guardian to nephew Dahveon Morris, 18.
The proud father explained why he chose to respond to the backlash instead of staying silent.
"When I respond to things socially, I'm not responding because you're hurting my feelings. I'm not responding because I care about what you're saying, because as we say in the in the hood it's 'ignant.'"
"Why I'm responding is because I understand my platform. I understand that I'm speaking for a lot of people don't have the same voice that I have.
"As a father, I'm even speaking for my 12-year-old because I haven't allowed them to sit in front of a microphone yet. But I'm speaking for so many others in the LGBTQ+ community. For me it's just my version of supporting."
As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that i see them , love them and support them. https://t.co/ZrJp9WFdbi— DWade (@DWade) 1575155995
He admitted he had to educate himself on the LGBTQ community after noticing Zion was on a different "vibe" than his older brother, Zaire.
Wade also used the pronoun she in reference to Zion.
"I had to look myself in the mirror when my son at the time was 3 years old and me and my wife started having conversations about us noticing that he wasn't on the boy vibe that Zaire [Dwyane's older son] was on."
"And I had to look myself in the mirror and say, 'What if your son come home and tells you he's gay? What are you going to do? How are you going to be? How are you going to act? It ain't about him. He knows who he is. It's about you. Who are you?'"
"I've watched my son from day one become into who she now eventually has come into."
Many people were moved by Wade's powerful and inspired speech and praised both him and Union on Twitter for their unconditional love.
Being Black and LGBTQ, hearing someone as influential as @DwyaneWade speak so casually about loving and accepting h… https://t.co/pDK40aqR1y— Brian McBride (@Brian McBride) 1576854780
This actually made me cry. @DwyaneWade, Zion will never have to wonder if her daddy loves her, and that is a gift t… https://t.co/X67tKiMgxX— ricky, phd (@ricky, phd) 1576855633
I know I didn’t get enough sleep bc I just cried watching @DwyaneWade interview when he was talking about his son Zion. 😅— elociN anideM (@elociN anideM) 1576855211
@SpinnerGrace @OfArthurshire Ex NBA player Dwayne Wade’s child Zion has chosen feminine pronouns and he’s been supe… https://t.co/c9xEBpQpBt— Liz Yates is a fake name 😉 (@Liz Yates is a fake name 😉) 1576831073
Absolutely beautiful. @DwyaneWade is an incredible human and parent. ❤️❤️❤️ #inclusion Dwyane Wade Watched His… https://t.co/LFJrLezwF7— Kelly Q. Anderson (she/her) (@Kelly Q. Anderson (she/her)) 1576849347
I can’t stop applauding @DwyaneWade & @itsgabrielleu for their public, unabashed support and love for Zion. There a… https://t.co/XRvkXGXXZK— Jillian Svensson (@Jillian Svensson) 1576844892
@DwyaneWade What you have offered your child and the whole world is something truly precious: Unconditional love… https://t.co/0w3F6DIzQf— Devon Spier / חיה אריאל / Chaya Arielle / she/they (@Devon Spier / חיה אריאל / Chaya Arielle / she/they) 1576821192
Wade did not stay silent when his child was under attack on social media for the Thanksgiving photos.
He fired back on Twitter:
"I've seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so I get it."
"But here's the thing—I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!"
I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—… https://t.co/3rSpUszHjW— DWade (@DWade) 1575156526
At one point in the interview, Wade commented on the increase in visibility of queer people and queer issues.
"This is the new normal, everybody needs to get used to it."
"If anybody is different, we're looked at as different; the ones who don't understand it. The ones that don't get it and are stuck in a box, you're different. Not the people that are out there living their lives."
He closed out on the subject with:
"For me it's all about, nothing changes with my love. Nothing changes with my responsibilities. Only thing I have to do now is get smarter and educate myself more, and that's my job."
Wade is also known for his philanthropy.
In 2013, he founded The Wade's World Foundation—which supports community-based organizations that provide education, health and social skills to children in at-risk situations.
He is also an avid supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Wade may be immortalized as a 13-time NBA All-Star in his professional career, but at home, his kids will always see him as their ultimate MVP.
The book Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child is available here.
Mail Woman Gives An Epic Boost To A Kid Shooting Hoops As She Drives By In Viral Video
The days spent outside, shooting hoops by yourself would be a lot better with a cheering section, wouldn't they?
Certainly would have kept me outside more often.
Paul Stys got precisely that support.
In a video he shared to YouTube, the young man is practicing his shots, when a fan pulls up.
Watch if you’re having a rough day https://t.co/txyLAAQ1te— Paul Stys (@Paul Stys) 1558471343
In Stys' video, as he's shooting the ball, a postal worker pulls up. In the video, you can hear her egging him on to try and impress her.
He takes on the challenge, running to the basket and dunking the ball.
His moves earn him a very solid "DAYUM!" from his fan.
Gotta admit, some nice moves from Paul!
@samuel_O_G @paul_stys11 @PowderMaca This reply is gold! Thank you for this 😂 #mailman— brandi (@brandi) 1558591040
@paul_stys11 @TAHK0 Paul as he’s jumping to dunk https://t.co/8hBwA60Y0t— Wes aka Mr. Has Too Many Games (@Wes aka Mr. Has Too Many Games) 1558641873
The woman is a postal worker named Ebony. When she pulls up to the house, you can hear her say,
"Let me see what you got!"
If only all the mail deliverers were this positive.
@RamLover69 @paul_stys11 @terri__12 YOU SAID SOMETHING POSITIVE AND UPLIFTING— 303 stan acct (@303 stan acct) 1558587557
@tsd485 @paul_stys11 don't sleep on the "BAYUM!" right before it— RJ Coyle (@RJ Coyle) 1558553562
Stys' video has gained wide attention, racking up over six million views and hundreds of thousands of likes. That's almost as much as the points he scores.
While it's great to see such positivity spread, it can be difficult knowing that the person who brought that positivity might not know her impact.
Which is why it's so great that Paul shared Ebony's new Instagram.
EVERYONE GO FOLLOW EBONY’S INSTAGRAM!! https://t.co/2naWT8ULFi— Paul Stys (@Paul Stys) 1558640852
It didn't take much to convince people to go follow her new account.
@paul_stys11 New friendships!! Now this is too cute.— AMBERCOLE (@AMBERCOLE) 1558653164
@paul_stys11 i just did. this made my day👍👏— Rebel With A Cause⏳ (@Rebel With A Cause⏳) 1558665730
These kinds of positive interactions help people to remain connected.
Just recently, a video on Facebook went viral, showing kids from different backgrounds playing together.
A Catholic boy interacting with a Muslim girl shows how easy it can be for people to get along, if they let it happen.
Shaquille O'Neal Buying 10 Pairs Of Shoes For A Struggling Big-Footed Teen Is Exactly What The World Needs
Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal knows what it's like having ginormous feet.
So when he heard about a 13-year-old aspiring basketball player from Georgia having difficulty finding the right size shoes, he stepped in to help.
Zach Keith is a size 18, and his mother can't afford shoes for the rare size if she can find them in stores at all.
The dilemma sounded all too familiar.
O'Neal wears a size 22 and he recalled how his parents went through a similar situation.
He told CBS 46:
"Mom couldn't afford shoes. The kid had big feet. I just kind of reminisced about how that used to be me, my mom and my dad."
So he started the day off on the right foot and got the kid 10 pairs of size 18 shoes.
O'Neal had arranged to surprise the young athlete at Friedman's Shoes, a store that sells extra large footwear and is owned by Bruce Teilhaber, who has helped out frequent customers like O'Neal.
"If they don't come from Bruce and Freidman's don't show them to me," quipped the 47-year-old.
Keith couldn't believe he was meeting an NBA legend and that the celebrity was helping him out.
"I'm like, 'Whoa, he wants to buy me shoes, out of all people?'"
After taking Keith out on a shopping spree inside the store, O'Neal gave him additional spending money and his personal cellphone number to let him know that if he ever needed any help, he was just a phone call away.
O'Neil scored some major points with Twitter for his generosity.
Others who are challenged with big hoppers appreciated O'Neal's gesture.
@CNN As a guy who wears size 17, I can truly appreciate this gesture!— Pastor Jeremy Rose (@Pastor Jeremy Rose) 1557498931
@CNN I can imagine. I only wear a size 15 & be struggling to find shoes to fit— Coneys & Cartiers (@Coneys & Cartiers) 1557496578
They teen's mother, Brittany Keith, was beyond grateful.
"This will help a lot. I won't so much have to worry about buying him dress shoes. He hasn't had a pair of dress shoes in about four or five years because it's been hard trying to find the ones that actually fit."
It wasn't just about the shoes.
She was glad to have a role model to look up to, all 7 feet of him!
"For me it was just very touching, very heartfelt, to know there is someone out there that has his back."
O'Neal and Keith shot some hoops together before calling it a day.
@CNN What a wonderful thing to do. Thanks again for showing others what a wonderful gift you gave this young man— Cherakigirl (@Cherakigirl) 1557521213
For the pro-athlete, it was just his way of paying it forward.
"I thought this was a good thing to do. Kid plays basketball, and Bruce did it for me, and I just want to return the favor."
@CNN Shaq is good people. Always has been.— Keith Hatfield (@Keith Hatfield) 1557514453
@CNN This once again proves, that Shaq is the GOAT! Great feel good story to see on a Friday! #FridayFeeling https://t.co/PNZlg2Mdh1— David Lee Joyner (@David Lee Joyner) 1557516210
In a chaotic world we're currently living in, this is the slam dunk we needed.
NBA Star Dwayne Wade Crashing Into Chrissy Teigen And John Legend Is An Epic Meme For The Ages
We are no strangers to talking about Chrissy Teigen. She is highly relatable and also absolutely hilarious. However, she shines the most when she's both.
Teigen was with her husband, John Legend, to watch the Miami Heat in Florida. It was the final regular season home game for Dwayne Wade before he's set to retire.
And he must have wanted to go out with a bang, because he took a dive into in the audience, ending up in Teigen's lap.
Hey @chrissyteigen, let us know if you want a copy of this one. Photo by @CTJPhoto #OneLastDance #HEATCulture… https://t.co/U1dTYu8VAW— Miami Herald Sports (@Miami Herald Sports) 1554864552.0
I'm not a professional athlete, but I have a feeling you aren't supposed to do that.
Lucky for Wade, Teigen was a good sport about the whole situation. It probably also helped that she was there with Gabrielle Union, famous actress and Wade's wife.
It looked like she was ready to chew his ear off after he crashed into her friend.
Mark Brown/Getty Images
The internet also enjoyed the photo so much. It was caught at just the right moment, with Teigen and Legend reacting as most anyone would in the situation. However, Wade's expression is still so focused on the game.
It creates the kind of dynamic you don't find in a normal photo. It's like a lightning strike. It's a work of art.
Or as everyone else says, a renaissance painting.
😂 a renaissance painting https://t.co/ZKlD1Ch2gJ— christine teigen (@christine teigen) 1554865025.0
Okay, y’all know that picture of @chrissyteigen, @johnlegend, and @DwyaneWade that everyone’s saying looks like a R… https://t.co/3bvecgIiSB— anna (@anna) 1554964893.0
This portrait of @DwyaneWade falling on @chrissyteigen and @johnlegend is hilarious 🤣 https://t.co/cBYIfTxnFD— James Rawl (@James Rawl) 1554904893.0
LEFT: “The Raising of Lazarus” by Caravaggio (1609) RIGHT: “The Raising of Dwyane Wade” by Chrissy Teigen and John… https://t.co/SlkPoMkYe2— Mike Beauvais (@Mike Beauvais) 1554867756.0
If you focus on any one portion of the moment of impact, you're bound to find something new. I personally enjoy the near perfect symmetry between Teigen and Legend as an athlete lands in their laps.
Maybe you're the romantic type, and instead, I'll draw your eye to Wade's left arm, which is being cushioned by Union. She's obviously ready to catch her hubby.
It's the kind of photo that could be studied for ages.
But this is the internet, so let's just turn it into a meme.
@HeraldSports @chrissyteigen @CTJPhoto Could this be a meme? https://t.co/y6aRT4arjP— Andrew Hunt (@Andrew Hunt) 1554866024.0
a vibe. @chrissyteigen @johnlegend @DwyaneWade https://t.co/MfhE6N7tbX— Chelsea Glosser (@Chelsea Glosser) 1554999487.0
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend catching Dwayne Wade falling is the renaissance-level meme template we've all been n… https://t.co/D4TPD460En— gentle png file (@gentle png file) 1554952119.0
#OneLastDance @DwyaneWade is that over protective young brother your father tells you to go with on your first dat… https://t.co/bWrjscaxsY— Mutebi Alex Kato 🐐 (@Mutebi Alex Kato 🐐) 1555007099.0
This is so amazing!!!! 🤣😭 @chrissyteigen @johnlegend @DwyaneWade #LastDance #WadeCounty https://t.co/WwUNCIZazJ— Phillipa Stephenson (@Phillipa Stephenson) 1554949307.0
The photo is sure to be remembered in the annals of history as a moment of pure art. Either that, or it's going to be the reaction image people use for a day and a half and promptly forget about until someone makes a "Best of 2019" article.
Whatever the case, it's great it can bring some joy to the internet. I just hope the next time Teigen makes the internet laugh, it's a little more on purpose.