Outpouring emotions grip Kobe memorial
Agallery of basketball legends joined thousands of Kobe Bryant fans in Los Angeles on Monday to pay tribute to the transcendent NBA star, his daughter and seven others who died in a helicopter crash last month that shocked the world of sports and beyond.
The “Celebration of Life” memorial at the Staples Center, Bryan he husband she called her “soulmate.”
“He was my everything,” she said of Bryant. “God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said, referring to her husband and daughter. “He had to bring them home to heaven together.”
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant teammate Shaquille O’Neal were among the Basketball Hall of Famers who attended the memorial, which opened with a performance by singer Beyonce and a montage of Bryant’s oncourt highlights. “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died,” said Jordan with tears streaming down his face. “Please rest in peace, little brother.”
Fans gathered outside the arena hours before the ceremony started, many of them clad in Lakers purple and gold.
“I have been a Kobe fan for a long, long time. It is so sad, especially with the children. But it has really brought the city together,” said Bubacar Drammeh, who stood outside the venue and planned to watch the memorial on TV. Inside the Staples Center, the mood was somber. Concession stands were closed and cell phone use discouraged. Attendees were not allowed in if they arrived late. The proceedings attracted A-list Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah and Spike Lee. Grammy award-winning musician Alicia Keys performed the Moonlight Sonata.
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel cried as he read out the names of the deceased. “This is a sad day, but it is also a celebration of life, of their lives,” said Kimmel, who had Bryant on his show many times.
After his 20-year playing career, the Lakers retired both jersey numbers Bryant wore for the team — 8 and 24 — which hang from the arena’s rafters along with the numbers of other Lakers’ greats, including Johnson and O’Neal. —