Kelly Dodd Remembers Kobe Bryant: "So Gracious and Genuine with My Family"
The Real Housewives of Orange County mom shared a touching memory of the late basketball legend and her daughter.
As tributes for Kobe Bryant continue to pour in following his passing on Sunday, January 26 at the age of 41, Kelly Dodd shared her personal connection to the late basketball legend.
The Real Housewives of Orange County mom honored Kobe, who was a Newport Beach, California resident, in a post on Instagram. Kelly shared a throwback photo of her daughter, Jolie, who is now 13 years old, with Kobe. "RIP @kobebryant ... so sad to hear the news," Kelly wrote in the caption to the post. "You and your wife @vanessabryant have always been so gracious and genuine with my family."
Kelly shared more of how she and her family knew Kobe in the comments to the post. "He was such an impactful person that touched me and it's a tragedy!!" she said. "I saw him at mass every Sunday with his family."
Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, passed away in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26 near Calabasas, California. Seven other people also died in the crash, including John Altobelli, the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Payton Chester, a 13-year-old basketball player, and her mother Sarah; Christina Mauser, a basketball coach; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Many other members of the Bravo family also shared how Kobe touched their lives on social media.
Jim Edmonds wrote, "Rest In Peace my friend," and said that he was "praying for Vanessa and the kids" in a post on Instagram that featured a photo of Kobe on the court. The former baseball star also included "#prayers" and "#heavyheart" in the post.
Mercedes "MJ" Javid's husband, Tommy Feight, fondly recalled meeting Kobe "a few times" during his lifetime. "I met @kobebryant a few times, was always a complete gentleman and focused on the win," he wrote in a post that featured a photo of Kobe and his Los Angeles Lakers teammate Lamar Odom. "As a father I can't imagine the anguish he went through in those last moments - I hope his family can find peace."
Garcelle Beauvais shared a lovely photo of herself with Kobe at an event as she paid tribute to the late sports icon. "So so sad!!! RIP #kobebryant he was always so gracious!" she wrote. "Prayers for his family."
