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How and why ‘Girl Dad’ became a trending topic on social media

January 29, 2020
by Larry Brown
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Elle DuncanKobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant girl dad Elle Duncan

The hashtag #girldad has become a trending topic on social media over the past day. Many men are posting photos across social media showing themselves with their daughters, using the #girldad hashtag.

So why is the hashtag trending?

On Monday night, a day and a half after Kobe and Gianna Bryant died in the helicopter crash that killed nine people, ESPN’s Elle Duncan shared a story on “SportsCenter” that captivated many. Duncan recalled a conversation she had with Kobe where the Lakers legend boasted about Gigi’s basketball talent and ability.

Duncan was pregnant at the time, and Kobe asked what she was having. When she said she was having a girl, Kobe high-fived her and told her what a blessing it was. Bryant told Duncan that he would “have five more girls” if he could.

“I’m a girl dad!” Kobe told Duncan.

The video of Duncan’s story went viral, and fathers around the world who watched it began tweeting photos to show they were proud “girl dads” as well.

After the #girldad hashtag began trending, Duncan said she was “moved” by the support for her story and loved that fathers were inspired to share their photos.

Kobe would also be proud that the hashtag is trending. He had four daughters and was heavily involved in their lives, supporting them in their respective interests. He died while taking Gigi to her basketball game and doing what he loved the most, as Duncan said — being a dad.

More Larry Brown Sports coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death:

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

Tributes to Kobe:
– Vanessa Bryant posts first Instagram message since death of Kobe, Gianna
– NBA players changing jersey numbers in honor of Kobe Bryant
– Bill Belichick shares touching anecdote in tribute to Kobe Bryant
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– Video: Shaq gets emotional talking about Kobe Bryant on TNT
– LeBron James had inspirational message for Lakers during meeting about Kobe
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Gilbert Arenas vows to begin coaching career like Kobe Bryant urged him to
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences

More coverage:
– Video: Kobe Bryant helicopter audio released
– Investigators release chilling drone footage from Kobe Bryant helicopter crash site
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– TMZ says they had permission from Kobe’s people to report Bryant had died
– NBA postpones Tuesday’s Lakers-Clippers game after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Shaq says he had not spoken to Kobe Bryant in nearly four years
– Kobe Bryant recently filed for ‘Mambacita’ trademark for daughter Gianna
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41

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– Follow Larry Brown Sports on Twitter
– Join our Facebook group
– Download the Larry Brown Sports app on your iOS device
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