Vanessa Bryant has opened up about her sorrow following the death of her father-in-law, Joe Bryant, on Tuesday afternoon. Joe Bryant, father of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69 after suffering a massive stroke, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In an emotional post on her Instagram Story, Vanessa expressed her condolences: “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing. We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much. Our prayers go out to family.”
Vanessa’s tribute hinted at the complex and strained relationship between Kobe Bryant and his parents. The New York Post noted that this tension was a significant aspect of Kobe’s life, especially during his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe and Vanessa tied the knot in 2001, a union that did not receive the blessing of Joe and Kobe’s mother, Pamela Bryant. The strained relationship further deteriorated in 2013 when Pamela attempted to auction off $1.5 million worth of Kobe’s memorabilia without his consent.
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Despite these challenges, Kobe had been making efforts to reconcile with his parents before his untimely death in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter, Gigi, on January 26, 2020, in California, according to The Sun.
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a nickname from his basketball career, was a notable figure in the sports world. He was the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors but was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, his hometown team, just four months later.
Joe’s NBA career spanned eight seasons, during which he played for the 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Houston Rockets. He later took his talents to Europe, playing in Italy and France. Transitioning into coaching, Joe led various teams in the U.S. and internationally, including a stint with the Los Angeles Sparks from 2005-07 and La Salle University from 1993-96.
The La Salle men’s basketball team paid tribute to Joe Bryant with a heartfelt post on X: “We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant.”
Vanessa Bryant’s public acknowledgment of her father-in-law’s passing and the reflections on their relationship provide a poignant reminder of the personal struggles and familial complexities that often accompany public figures.