In 2003, Kobe Bryant was charged for rape. This had major consequences as numerous sponsors abandoned him and his reputation was tarnished. In 2011, his wife filed for divorce. Bryant admitted that he had sex with a woman but the rape allegations were false. He than turned to his Catholic faith.

“The one thing that really helped me during that process — I’m Catholic, I grew up Catholic, my kids are Catholic — was talking to a priest,” said Kobe Bryant.

After some rough years, Kobe Bryant reconciled with his wife, and they remain married to this day. Together they have founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which is dedicated to, among other things, helping young people in need, encouraging the development of physical and social skills through sports and assisting the homeless. Asked about this commitment in 2013, Bryant’s answer would wa than:

“At the end of my career, I don’t want to look back and just say, “Well, I had a successful career because I won so many championships and scored so many points.” There’s something else that you have to do with that,” Bryant explained.

Source and image: aleteia.org