Remembering Kobe Bryant: A Complicated Legacy

By Jeff Pratt

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant sit at a press conference in wake of Bryant’s sexual assault allegations. (Photo by Kirby Lee/WireImage)

As a diehard Boston Celtics fan, Trent Henrich was taught to hate the Los Angeles Lakers. Regardless of the inherent animosity towards Los Angeles, he always respected Kobe Bryant.

“The legacy he left behind, he changed multiple generations. He is gonna leave a lot greater of an impact on sports and just society and culture than almost any athlete,” Henrich said.

Bryant’s resume is impressive. Over 20 seasons with the Lakers, he won five NBA championships and one MVP, with 18 All-Star selections. He also started the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation with the mission to help underserved athletes and young women in sports.

When discussing Bryant with basketball fans, a unifying theme of respect for his game is revealed.

However, Kobe’s legacy is not as pristine as it first appears. In 2003, Bryant was accused of sexually assaulting a female concierge at the Cordillera Lodge and Spa in Edwards, Colorado.

The allegations sent shockwaves throughout the basketball community. How could Bryant, whose record was spotless up until that point, commit such a heinous act?

Longtime NBA writer David Aldridge showcased the sports media’s shock in an ESPN article written shortly after Bryant’s press conference in which he admitted to committing adultery.

Aldridge wrote, “But is this Kobe Bryant? The one I know? I know he is a great basketball player for the Lakers… But do I know him?”

That bewilderment quickly turned into denial within the ranks of Bryant’s dedicated fanbase. His accuser, who remained anonymous, was publicly attacked and shamed by not only Kobe’s fans, but also prominent media personalities and analysts.

This type of mentality is something that modern sports fans are challenged with when rooting for their favorite players.

“(Athletes) have so many people attached to them as personalities. Instead of believing the victim, they would come to the defense of the assailant,” Lakers fan Jaime Vega said.

Under overwhelming pressure, Bryant’s accuser was bullied into submission. Despite the staggering evidence of Kobe’s guilt, as described in this Washington Post article, the case was settled outside of court.

Bryant overcame this “roadblock”, eventually putting together one of the most impressive NBA careers of all time.

Years later, after his death, people are starting to discuss the rape allegations again. Naturally, after an accomplished athlete dies, their legacy is debated. Many are pushing for this negative aspect of Bryant’s past to be included in the conversation. However, those that challenge Kobe’s narrative are usually met with backlash.

For example, hours after Bryant’s death, Washington Post reporter Felicia Sonmez tweeted a link to a 2016 Daily Beast article regarding Kobe’s allegations.

Instead of being protected from the criticism that she received, Sonmez was suspended, proving that the path to an open discussion on Bryant’s legacy is difficult.

Fans are split on how to address these accusations when determining Kobe’s legacy. Some believe that he should be judged fairly this time around, instead of how the case was handled back in 2003.

“No one wants Kobe Bryant... to suffer in any way, but (he) made those decisions and we have to judge (him) fairly and equally for it,” Celtics fan Oliver Simon said.

On the other hand, some fans choose to acknowledge Bryant’s mistake, but declare that he was able to learn from it and change his ways.

“He did get away with it, but he came to terms with himself and sought to correct himself throughout his life,” said Vega, who remains a Kobe fan despite the allegations.

Bryant is just one example of the myriad of professional athletes who have been accused of sexual assault, but were able to move on from them without serious repercussions. Many fans believe that athletes like Kobe are able to get away with these horrendous actions because of their talent and athletic resumes.

“When I think of these players, I don’t think of their scandals… I think of their greatness,” Simon said.

Fandom is an incredible aspect of the sports world, but oftentimes it evolves to idolization and eventually glorification, which can produce negative repercussions.

After seeing the backlash that Bryant’s accuser faced, the number of forcible rapes reported dropped 10 percent in 2003 from the previous year according to statistics provided by the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault in a Daily News article. Women were scared to come forward after seeing the power that Bryant possessed.

At the end of the day, athletes are humans like the rest of us, not gods. It’s time to start treating them like it.