Vanessa Bryant expressed her sorrow regarding the passing of her father-in-law, Joe Bryant, at the age of 69, following a massive stroke. The late Kobe Bryant's relationship with his parents, particularly Joe and Pamela, had been strained over the years, culminating in conflicts over memorabilia and Kobe's marriage to Vanessa in 2001. Despite these difficulties, Kobe had attempted to reconcile with his parents before his tragic passing in 2020. Known as "Jellybean" during his basketball career, Joe Bryant had a successful NBA career and went on to coach various teams in the U.S. and abroad. His passing was mourned by many, including the La Salle basketball community. Vanessa Bryant's heartfelt tribute shed light on the complexities of family relationships within the Bryant family.