Retired NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is offering his support to Vanessa Bryant, the widow of his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant.
Bryant is currently in the middle of a trial against Los Angeles County for allegedly sharing graphic photos from the scene of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others in January 2020.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 4-time NBA champion commented on the lawsuit and how he felt Bryant was doing the right thing.
“I feel for her,” O’Neal said. “We’ve never talked a lot [but] we’ve always had respect for each other. Every time I see her, it’s a hug, it’s a laugh.”
O’Neal added: “But I couldn’t imagine what she’s going through. We live in a world where, especially when it gets to the internet, people don’t care. But those are pictures that I would never, ever want to see, so she’s doing a great thing by holding people responsible.”
Bryant has refused to settle the lawsuit like other families have. During the trial, she said she “lives in fear” that one day those photos will leak online. “I’m willing to go through hell and back to get justice for my husband and daughter,” she told the court last week.
A couple of days after Bryant’s death, O’Neal reflected on his time playing on the court with him for eight seasons.
“Our names will be attached together for what we did,” Shaquille O’Neal said. “The respect will never be lost.”
