Basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in late January and shook the sporting world. In a memorial service for Bryant on Monday, his family and colleagues remembered the late icon.
Among those who spoke at the service was retired Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan, who said “in the game of basketball, in life, as a parent, Kobe left nothing in the tank. He left it all on the floor.”
He added, “Kobe was my dear friend, he was like my little brother. Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I — I just wanted to talk about Kobe.” Later in his speech, Jordan joked through tears, “Now he’s got me, I’ll have to look at another crying meme for the next …” and trailed off.
Here’s the video of Jordan’s speech:
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1232038403178258432
Bryant was also remembered by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel who said, “Everywhere you go, you see his face, his number.” He added later, “In places where he would be booed on the court, Kobe is missed.”
Jimmy Kimmel pays tearful tribute to Kobe Bryant and the families of those who died in last month's crash: "Everywhere you go, you see his face, his number – Gigi's face, Gigi's number." #KobeFarewell https://t.co/ww51ZxTqzn pic.twitter.com/PJgo5IgBsd
— Variety (@Variety) February 24, 2020
Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant remembered her husband as more than an iconic basketball player but as a loving husband who gave her so much, saying, “I couldn’t see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband, and the beautiful father of our children.”
Vanessa Bryant on her late husband, Kobe Bryant: "I couldn't see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband, and the beautiful father of our children." 💜💛 #KobeFarewell https://t.co/CRA2ei6Yaj
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 24, 2020
Bryant, his daughter and seven other people were killed during a helicopter crash in California.
There were about 20,000 people at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to remember the late star, according to the LA Times. While some of them were close friends and family, thousands were fans who had come to the same arena in years past to watch the late star performing on the hardwood. Some people were paying upwards of $200 to be able to see the memorial.