Deborah Daniels: Kobe Bryant’s legacy is complicated

The tragic death of Kobe Bryant, along with his young daughter Gianna, has left me in something of a quandary.

Bryant was undeniably a superstar: five-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star, second only to Michael Jordan as the best shooting guard in NBA history. His status approached idolatry.

Post-retirement, he assumed a rare and important role as a supporter of women’s sports. Starting with his enthusiastic support of Gianna and her team, he created MAMBA Sports Academy—in his words, an expansion of “my commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of kids through sports.”

He also launched a company to create inspiring content for young people in media.

It is also clear that Bryant was a good father and loving husband. One cannot help but feel deeply the pain his wife and remaining three daughters, to whom he was clearly devoted, are experiencing.

The various memorial events and articles, and other tributes honoring Bryant were, based on his professional and volunteer accomplishments, well-deserved.

Except for that one thing.

The “thing” happened in 2003. Kobe Bryant was criminally charged with raping a 19-year-old girl. The case was dismissed when the victim declined to testify, and Bryant settled with her in a civil case.

The details are rarely discussed, but Bryant’s actions fit the profile of the entitled superstar athlete. At 24, he had already reached star status. He was a pitch man for Nike and other companies. The world was his oyster—and, apparently in his mind, his for the taking.

The young woman’s story was a chilling account of a forcible rape. When accused, Bryant denied having had intercourse at all. When confronted with DNA evidence, he admitted the encounter but claimed it was consensual, asking if there was some way the police could “settle this”—make it go away—so his wife wouldn’t find out.

He couldn’t explain away the injuries medical professionals said were “not consistent with consensual sex,” but his defense team, aided by the media, spent the next several months smearing the young woman’s reputation and further traumatizing her until she yielded.

Bryant finally issued an “apology” as a condition of the alleged victim’s consent to the dismissal of the criminal case. His words are telling: “Although I truly believe this encounter … was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.”

Oh, now, really.

Here’s my quandary: Based on the evidence, I believe Bryant raped this young woman. Further, he traumatized her publicly in order to avoid criminal consequences. I’m angry at Nike, who, about four months after the civil settlement and just over a year after the criminal case was dismissed, renewed his contract, saying only, “Nike agrees with most NBA observers that Kobe ranks among the very best players in the NBA.”

Bryant earned more than $323 million in NBA salary over his career, and more still from his endorsements. He then made an even greater fortune through post-retirement investments.

All signs indicate that Bryant dedicated his life after 2003 not only to excellence in his sport and the creation of personal wealth, but also to the positive development of youth.

When one has engaged in such egregious conduct, is redemption possible? Can living a good life overcome what was not a youthful mistake, but rather the commission of a heinous crime?

I don’t know. But I deeply regret that he was denied more time to prove himself worthy of the unconditional praise he now receives.•

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Daniels, a partner at Krieg DeVault LLP, is a former U.S. attorney, assistant U.S. attorney general, and president of the Sagamore Institute. Send comments to ibjedit@ibj.com.

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