Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
2.24. Forever.
Kobe and Gianna Bryant were honored today in a public memorial at Staples Center with 20,000 attendees. The service was available for streaming, but if you missed anything, checkout our play by play below: *Make sure you have a box of tissues near by. You’re gonna need it.*
Beyoncé opens with “XO” & “Halo”, she adds that “XO” was one of his favorite songs.
@Beyonce pays tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant with a couple of his favorite songs pic.twitter.com/HIfTfWmtlS
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) February 24, 2020
Jimmy Kimmel is the first to speak, it’s the perfect mixture of tears, laughs, and fond memories. A beautiful way to kick off the speeches.
Jimmy Kimmel gives an emotional speech at the #KobeFarewell pic.twitter.com/TQKoY9tFCk
— Paul ➐ (@NoGamePaul) February 24, 2020
Vanessa Bryant is the strongest woman we know. She says of Kobe and Gigi, “God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other…he had to bring them home to heaven together.” There are no words, just lots of tears.
“He was my everything.”
Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe at the Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/vHb9xP0qmm
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Next up, is WNBA superstar and 3x Olympic Gold Medalist Diana Taurasi. Taurasi breaks the silence and tears with a welcome joke, but also a testament to Gigi’s unmatched talent and skill; “The same passion we all recognized in Kobe obviously Gigi inherited. Her skill was undeniable at an early age. I mean who has a turnaround fadeaway jumper at 11? LeBron barely got it today.”
"We promise to carry Gigi's legacy." @DianaTaurasi #KobeFarewell
(via @PhoenixMercury) pic.twitter.com/DwMEvfoPQO
— WSLAM (@wslam) February 24, 2020
Sabrina Ionescu, a point guard at the University of Oregon, was a mentor to Gigi. She admits she still texts Kobe, even now that he’s gone…
"I still text him even though he's not here. Thank you for everything, the rest is for you. Rest easy my guy."@sabrina_i20 pays tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant.pic.twitter.com/kRVaFDt7n7
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 24, 2020
Gigi hoped to go become a UConn Huskie one day, and play women’s basketball for Hall of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma.
Geno Auriemma: "He said, 'I'm coaching my daughter's team.' I said, 'Oh, my god. That poor kid.' So when I watched highlights of her playing, on about the 3rd or 4th time she touched the ball, Gianna passed it when she was open. I thought, 'she's not listening to her father.'" pic.twitter.com/e4xuVwpMKa
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 24, 2020
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was Kobe’s former agent, and Gigi’s godfather. He revealed that Kobe was texting him from the helicopter that day. He asked Pelinka if he knew of any baseball agents, hoping to help secure an internship for the late coach John Altobelli’s, surviving daughter, Alexis. Remarking, “Kobe’s last human act was heroic.”
“Kobe lived to make other people’s lives better.”
Rob Pelinka remembers his friend, Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/URIc9s8l3p
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Alicia Keys accompanied by a string quartet, plays Kobe and Gigi’s favorite song, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”. Kobe learned to play the song by ear, as a show of love to Vanessa.
Alicia Keys performs Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on a purple piano, a song Kobe learned to play, by ear, for his wife Vanessa. pic.twitter.com/rGKjAllyU5
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 24, 2020
I am in a puddle of my own tears after hearing Michael Jordan, who closed by saying, “Please rest in peace, little brother”.
Michael Jordan’s full speech reflecting on Kobe
Little brother – Big brother ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AG0dI1d7Ic
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 24, 2020
One half of the greatest duo of all time, Shaquille O’Neal gave us a peak into Kobe’s humorous side.
Shaq told a story about a time where he tried to talk to Kobe about passing the ball more. he recalls telling Kobe, there’s no “I” in team. To which Kobe replies, “I know, but there’s a M-E in that motherf**ker.” L-M-A-OOOO. The GOAT!!!
Shaquille O'Neal delivers a touching tribute to Kobe Bryant during the 'Celebration of Life' memorial. pic.twitter.com/MheNUTG0AI
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 24, 2020
Christina Aguilera brings chills with her rendition of “Ave Maria”, as the last of the celebs to take the stage.
Christina Aguilera gives an emotional performance at Kobe and Gianna's memorial. #KobeFarewell #RIPGIANNA pic.twitter.com/k7fHjsmvCx
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 24, 2020
Lastly, Kobe’s Oscar winning film. Dear, Basketball. Whew. This was hard to watch guys. Not gonna lie.
Dear Basketball.
pic.twitter.com/7dDKYvnZcv— NBA do Povo #RIPKOBE (@NBAdoPovo) February 24, 2020
Jimmy Kimmel closes out the memorial, as fans chant: “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.” Yep, the tears are baack.
Kobe Bryant’s name rings throughout the Staples Center at the conclusion of memorial service. https://t.co/CDCCxXjnY6 pic.twitter.com/KI4jrNe3cb
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 24, 2020
Still praying HARD for Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and everyone affected by this tragedy. Remember, “heroes come and go, but legends are forever.” Mamba and Mambacita forever!