Statements by Kobe Bryant and His Wife

The Associated Press ^ | July 16, 2003 | The Associated Press

[arthur003]

Statements by Kobe Bryant and His Wife The Associated Press

Statements by Kobe Bryant and His Wife 13 minutes ago By The Associated Press

The following statements by Kobe Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, were released Friday in response to the felony sexual assault charge filed against the Los Angeles Lakers (news) star in Colorado:

Bryant's statement: "I am innocent of the charges filed today. I did not assault the woman who is accusing me. I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me. Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me. These false allegations have hurt my family. I will fight against these allegations with all my strength. My wife is the strongest person I know. She is willing to stand by me despite my mistake. That means everything to me. I have so much to live for. And by that I do not mean the contracts, or the money, or the fame. I mean my family. I will fight for them. I appreciate all those who have supported me. Thank you for believing in me. My family and I are going to need your support and prayers now more than ever." ___

Vanessa Bryant's statement: "I know that my husband has made a mistake — the mistake of adultery. He and I will have to deal with that within our marriage, and we will do so. He is not a criminal. I know that he did not commit a crime, he did not assault anyone. He is a loving and kind husband and father. I believe in his innocence. Because I know him to be innocent, I will stand by him and we will face this together. I will give him all the strength and support he needs to face these false accusations. I will not let him face these accusations alone. I know Kobe better than anyone. The great person you see on the court and in the public is a far greater person off the court."

[Evil Inc]

What else would he say? This is the Clinton admit-to-one-thing at a time routine, just in case you can get away with it somehow.

[GreatOne]

Cheating on his wife - what a typical a--hole athlete. While not making the mistake of idolizing an athlete, Kobe did seem to be someone who wouldn't do that type of thing (following Jordan, Puckett, et. al). Stupid me.

[Support Free Republic]

A Recall AND a Fundraiser? I'm toast.

Let's get this over with FAST. Please contribute!

[smith288]

Before I see anyone flaming Kobe... I hope its not true...I hate NBA basketball and the Lakers but I never want to see guys with long histories of being good citizens being ripped for false accusations.

If it is true... Lord have mercy on him and pray his punishment fits his crime (4 to life).

[Shermy]

2003 - The Summer of Laci and Kobe (Now On Fox!!)

[smith288]

From the cynic side of me, his wife does have an interest in being with him... $$$

But I usually have more faith in people who set a precedent of being wholesome. There are exceptions as man is weak.

If the chick he slept with is only capitalizing on his fame, may she rot...if he is lying...same goes for him.

[Mo1]

These false allegations have hurt my family.

Sorry Kobe ... you should have thought about them before you cheated on your wife

[FreedomSurge]

Stay strong kobe. Those who believe no woman should have to bear responsibility for their actions and men (black men) are abusive savages, have convicted you prior to hearing one piece of evidence.

[george wythe]

I was another sucker who believed that Kobe was actually the kind of person he claimed to be.

I was extremely disappointed to find out he admitted to being a cheat and a liar.


Heir Jordan?

KOBE BRYANT's emergence as a truly exciting player couldn't come at a better time for the NBA. The start of the playoffs finds many fans disenchanted by rugged play, blatant promiscuity, drug use and violent confrontations.As the league begins the process of reinventing itself, Bryant, 20, could be the new go-to guy.

For starters, he's a triple threat: a spectacular athlete and fierce competitor with a reputable character. The handsome Los Angeles Lakers forward has long, fluttery eyelashes, a sculpted Afro and a charming smile, and speaks French and Italian. At 6 feet 7 inches and 215 pounds, his body is lithe and muscular. He doesn't follow the crowd. On the road, he eats in his hotel room, alone.[except for times he screws with hotel employees he just met.] After home games, he'll more than likely go back home for dinner.

[L`enn]

Mega Bump!

[lelio]

Those who believe no woman should have to bear responsibility for their actions and men (black men) are abusive savages

You're barking up the wrong tree, Kobe should of been a little "stronger" and kept his willie in his pants.

[BonnieJ]

No, it's the summer of Laci, Kobe, Patrick Dempsey...and The 16 Words, on Fox!

I have now turned them off, will watch History, Food, Travel, etc, channels until the 2004 election is over. The insanity is just too much and I'll get my news here! That Rick guy filling in for Shep today said "what about all of Karl Rove's well-laid plans?", ripping into the Bush administration with glee. Who needs it?!

[BonnieJ]

OOPS! I mean Patrick Dennehy (or however it's spelled)! How could one forget...It's the new focus of tabloid-Greta!

[NormsRevenge]

Did you hear the comment that there are more illegitimate offspring of NBA players than there are players in the league? I guess they let it all hang out on the ocurt and then afterwards ,too!

Vanessa.. get a clue. You're young and don't deserve this kind of treatment. Sue his a$$ for all you can get. Let his groupies take care of him.

[NormsRevenge]

ocurt=court

[FreedomSurge]

"Kobe should of been a little "stronger" and kept his willie in his pants."

Agreed. However should he be in prison for 20 years for adultry??

[John123]

If the chick he slept with is only capitalizing on his fame, may she rot...

That is a pretty idiotic statement. She was crying 30 minutes after she came down from Kobe's room. She is being hounded by the press. She will be trashed by Kobe's lawyers in public and in court. What is the benefit? I doubt she is going to take Kobe's money...

[gatorgriz]

Ahh.. Lets be honest here... Folks running around thinking this is the first time Kobe dipped his wick outside of marriage are, well, they're not sentient...

Is he guilty, hell, I don't know... But I'm damn sure certain Kobe isn't as pure as the wind driven snow... And unlike the idiot reviewed on Fox News recently, who stated that "as long as we win a champonship" everything will be okay; I say I'm glad the trial will be held in a more saner part of the country, aka Colorado, because CA has gotten to be so bad I wish the fault would divide; totally eliminating the left coast.

The fact of the matter is CA SUCKS, TOP TO BOTTOM!!!!

[OldFriend]

He should be in prison for life if he raped a woman.

The man snuck away to have knee surgery without telling his team or his team doctor. What a standup guy!