The hashtag #girldad trending on social media is perhaps the most fitting tribute we could give the late Kobe Bryant.
The plethora of emotional Kobe Bryant tributes on social media this week left one thing clear: he loved being the father of four daughters. ESPN anchor Elle Duncan's touching story about the time she met the NBA superstar left many in tears as she recounted how Kobe took the utmost pride in being a "girl dad." Reflecting on the deaths of the former Los Angeles Lakers player and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in her tribute, a teary-eyed Duncan said, "The only small source of comfort for me is knowing that he died doing what he loved the most. Being a dad. Being a girl dad."
Out of all the Kobe stories in the last day, this one hit differently.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 28, 2020
Elle Duncan on Kobe “being a dad. A girl dad.” pic.twitter.com/tggiEmzIKc
Duncan's tribute soon went viral on social media with the hashtag #girldad trending across platforms. Proud fathers of daughters, both celebs and others alike, began celebrating their girls using the trending hashtag. As we go through the scores of posts from men taking pride in being girl dads like the late basketball legend, we can't help but note how this is probably the most fitting way to remember Kobe. Check out some of our favorite #girldad posts here:
I’m a #girldad - love you @Avagracemiles pic.twitter.com/f02IAsUF39
— Tim Miles (@CoachMiles) January 29, 2020
Nothing better than being a #girldad pic.twitter.com/SBbZEWMJB0
— GeorgeStephanopoulos (@GStephanopoulos) January 29, 2020
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for these two!! Forever grateful and blessed to be a #girldad pic.twitter.com/opwKvr4M8D
— Dustin Horner (@Dustin_Horner) January 30, 2020
Raising 2 #Mambacita’s!! #GirlDad pic.twitter.com/pIA1coWDVQ
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) January 29, 2020
Legacy. My daughter is already an incredible artist... like her dad. #GirlDad pic.twitter.com/1nx3IBX2qX
— Alvin C. Jacobs Jr. (@acjphoto) January 29, 2020
Always and Forever... #girlsdad #girldad #RIPKobeandGigi pic.twitter.com/SynrPSS8ag
— LaDainian Tomlinson (@LT_21) January 30, 2020
I’ve got well over 100 boys I have the pleasure of mentoring/coaching but I’m a girls dad!! #girldad pic.twitter.com/4lkEiYQJPI
— Chris McDonald (@coachcmcdonald) January 30, 2020
Biological she ain’t mines, but I’m the only dad she ever known ❤️😍 #GirlDad pic.twitter.com/Po9Ag4ekHd
— 🇭🇹Zoe_GottiBBM🇭🇹 (@ZoeGottiBBM) January 29, 2020
I love both of my boys, but having a daughter just hits different! #girldad ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3gyG7icjkP
— Chad Scott (@coachchad_scott) January 28, 2020
#girldad
— Matt McCarty (@coachmmmcc) January 30, 2020
One of greatest joys in the world. pic.twitter.com/frFbexmVyv
These two are a little older now, but these two are just magic. #Girldad pic.twitter.com/OfmINhczSn
— Coach Brennan (@CoachBrennan) January 30, 2020
I had to post this #girldad. I love this kid. pic.twitter.com/2oxE7CTvQo
— Jeff Lambert (@LawyerLambert) January 29, 2020
“Daddy, let’s dance but I want to be taller.”
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) January 28, 2020
Say no more. #girldad pic.twitter.com/6ly9HiMGsr