Staples Center Lights Up Kobe Bryant's Jerseys Ahead Of Grammy Awards
The Staples Center, which hosted the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, illuminated the now-retired jerseys belonging to Kobe Bryant after the NBA legend died earlier in the day.
The former Los Angeles Laker died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers.
Hundreds of fans reportedly flocked to the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, where the Lakers play their home games, with some telling KTLA that “they didn’t know where else to go.”
The Staples Center flew flags at half mast and showed images of Bryant on big screens around the arena. Bryant’s “8” and “24” jerseys, which hang from the arena’s ceiling, were also illuminated.
Kobe’s jersey being lit up & adjusted during the 62nd Grammy Rehearsal #StaplesCenter #RIPKobeBryant pic.twitter.com/Arvd8L6UyV
— Jacob Caldwell (@jakethedood) January 26, 2020
@STAPLESCenter for @TheAwards2020 and @kobebryant jersey’s are lit up. #RIPMamba pic.twitter.com/71frfcbnNv
— Rob Sine (@rob_sine) January 27, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s jersey lit up inside the rafters at Staples Center as the #Grammys about to start @THR pic.twitter.com/WtkE5UVbec
— Kirsten Chuba (@KirstenChuba) January 27, 2020
Kobe’s jerseys have been lit up & adjusted during the 62nd Grammy Rehearsal #StaplesCenter #RIPKobeBryant pic.twitter.com/XOvKp7h8Xj
— Q102 (@Q102SF) January 26, 2020
Grammys host Alicia Keys gave an impassioned speech about Bryant’s legacy as the show began.
“We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” she said.
Boyz II Men then joined her on stage to sing a rendition of their song “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday.”
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
