Kobe Bryant spent an important part of his childhood in Italy where he grew a love of the game of soccer. A natural talent in basketball, his destiny was set. He did, however, apply tactics and strategies of soccer to his basketball game and in so doing, elevated his game, and the game of his opposing teams, perhaps forever.

He remained an influential ally to the growth of US Soccer and helped bring fandom of the beautiful game into the American mainstream. 

We also look at other celebrity soccer fans and how their visibility can transform the attitudes of the uninitiated, and possibly lead them to the light.