This was a nice gesture, but it will never happen.
Viola Reggio Calabria, the Italian League basketball team Kobe’s dad, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played on in 1986-87, wants to turn back the hands of time. Team reps penned an immaculate letter to Bryant, fresh with a picture of him in a Viola shirt when he was only eight years old.
“The picture shows an eight-year old boy, proud to wear the jersey with the words Viola Reggio Calabria. Unbeknownst back then, he was destined to great things. That eight-year-old boy was you, Kobe.”
“Dear child of Reggio Calabria, fantastic Kobe, on this most beautiful stretch of land that is full of affection for you we close our eyes and dream.”
“There will always be a home for you at this great club on the Straits of Messina. Our dream might be too big but maybe it is the same dream you unknowingly had as that 8-year-old boy in the picture.”
“We want you to come home, to wear our colours, to represent our city, just as your father did before you. There is a black and orange family waiting for you, with the same name on the back: ‘Bryant.'”
“A warm hug, dear Kobe, our great basketball legend."
No word on if Kobe’s declined the offer yet.
By Glenn Erby
