Kobe Bryant was a legendary competitor, a proud father, a dedicated coach, and a vocal advocate for youth sports.
We are grateful for his support of Project Play.
“What we're doing is creating stories, putting them into culture, to help inspire change. You have the vision of actually executing the change, and that is just a beautiful relationship.”
Kobe on Project Play
KOBE LAUNCHES #DONTRETIREKID
In August 2019, Kobe launched Don’t Retire, Kid, our campaign calling on parents to seek the best possible sports experience for their children. The Don’t Retire Kid campaign includes new data and resources for parents on the costs and benefits of participating in youth sports. Kobe hosted a series of videos for Project Play, giving parents tips that align with each of the 8 Plays.
KOBE’s ADVICE TO PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
“Our job is to give kids the tools to finish and let them go out and figure things out. After the game, you get in the car with your kid, you're like, 'You should have done this, should have done that.' Oh my God. Step away. Let them process it. Let them figure it out.”
Kobe on sport parenting
KOBE AT THE 2018 PROJECT PLAY SUMMIT
Kobe was the keynote speaker at the 2018 Project Play Summit, the nation’s premier gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sports, and health. Kobe moderated our opening panel, “Ask Kids What They Want: What If Youth Designed Youth Sports?”, and “Philly hijacked” the Summit in our keynote conversation “The Meaning of Play” with friend Kevin Carroll. Videos of both sessions are available below.
Ask Kids What They Want
The Meaning of Play
“Play is doing what you love to do. For everybody in this room, if feels like you don't work a day in your life when you're doing what you love to do.”
Kobe at the the 2018 Project Play Summit
KOBE’S ADVICE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS
The Healthy Sport Index is the world’s first-ever tool that assesses the relative benefits and risks of participating in the most popular sports for adolescents. Kobe shared his expertise on the best complementary sports for boys’ and girls’ basketball players to for athletic skill development.
“I coach my daughter's team and what we do before every practice is play a game called 'Imagination.' Each player is just in their own head and they're doing nothing more than imagining the defender in front of them. They can do whatever move they want ... I wonder what they're imagining. But it's for them.”
Kobe on coaching
KOBE AT HEALTH MATTERS
Kobe appeared with President Bill Clinton at the 2014 Health Matters Summit, in the special session “Kids & Sports,” presented with The Aspen Institute and ESPN.
“Sport is the vehicle through which we change the world. The next generation is going to carry this world forward.”
Kobe Bryant
