I've watched a lot of this coverage the past several days. I've been a Lakers' fan since 1979 so I was obviously a fan of his as a player. And I've been mildly aware of his work since retiring. I remember Steve McNair dying, Hank Gathers dying in 1990, etc. and as others have said while those were awful and tragic this is just way, way bigger given his global influence and impact.
Of course, as a player he rubbed some of his teammates and opponents on the court the wrong way sometimes. And the 2003 sexual assault charge will, as one writer said, "always be part of his story." One of my son's friend's mother said bluntly Sunday because of it, "He was a bad person."
I've come to think over the past few days how simplistic and myopic- not to mention just misinformed- that view is. Yes, whatever happened in 2003 was very bad. No question. But I think a lesson, for me at least, is that the ledger of someone's life is about having the good outweigh the bad. And in Bryant's case, I think it's very fair to say it did. You hear the stories from people that knew him and that he impacted and inspired. That alone is a lot. But he did a ton of charitable work that frankly he didn't try to shine much of a spotlight on. Over 200 Make-A-Wish Foundation events for kids? The after school and cancer charities. Substantial donations to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC. Plus his support for the WNBA. And of course, simply coaching his daughters' basketball teams and being by all accounts a very good and attentive father. That alone is enough.
So little of the accolades being talked about with him are about the points scored and other things on the court. They're about him as a person, what he did for others and the lasting impact in their lives. From age 23 to age 41 he grew up- a lot. And he did far, far more good in this world than harm. That's what matters now. That's all that matters now.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2020 05:56AM by LMU93.
