It’s been more than five years since Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California.

Bryant, one of the greatest players in NBA history, was on his way to a girls basketball tournament with his daughter and some family friends, when his helicopter crashed due to low visibility in Southern California.

The Bryant family has been mourning his loss ever since. Kobe Bryant left behind his wife, Vanessa Bryant, and their three remaining children – all girls.

On Sunday, in honor of Father’s Day, Vanessa Bryant shared a powerful four-word message for her late husband.

Vanessa Bryant posts a photo.

Vanessa/IG

Vanessa Bryant shared a powerful four-word message for her late husband on her Instagram page on Sunday, June 15.

“You are so missed,” she wrote.

Vanessa Bryant added a sweet photo of their family all together before his passing.

“Happy Fathers Day @kobebryant  You are so missed. We love you so much. #GirlDad ,” she wrote.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Vanessa Bryant during a unveiling ceremony for the Kobe Bryant Statue at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Oour thoughts are with Kobe Bryant’s family during what has to be a tough time on Father’s Day 2025.

May the legendary NBA star and his daughter rest in peace.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

+2
View gallery

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

+2
View gallery

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’