Saturday Night Liveclosed out the Feb. 1 show with a sweet tribute to late NBA legendKobe Bryant.
After thanking the audience, Watt, 30, folded up a piece of paper and threw it into the crowd to honor Bryant, whodied in a helicopter crashon Jan. 26 at age 41.
Cast members Melissa Villaseñor and Chris Redd also paid tribute to Bryant on stage. Villaseñor wore a Lakers sweater, while Redd wore a T-shirt that featured an image of Bryant.
Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakerspaid an emotional tributeto Bryant during their first game at the Staples Center since the fatal helicopter crash.
The Staples Center was transformed into a sea of gold as each seat in the stadium was covered with either Bryant’s No. 8 or No. 24 jersey, which the thousands of fans donned to honor the fallen NBA star.
Gianna and Kobe Bryant.
Courtside seats with Gianna’s and Kobe Bryant’s jerseys.Harry How/Getty Images
The tribute began with cheers of “MVP” from the crowd before Usher took center court to sing “Amazing Grace.” The musician stood in front of two floral displays featuring the numbers 8 and 24 in gold and purple roses.
After the moving rendition, the crowd broke into chants of “Kobe” and then “Gigi.”
The crowd then stood for a 24.2 second moment of silence for all nine victims in the helicopter:John,KeriandAlyssa Altobelli,Payton and Sarah Chester,Christina MauserandAra Zobayanin addition to Gianna and Bryant.
Gianna’s and Bryant’s jerseys were illuminated as the entire stadium was silent, finally breaking into cheers once the moment had passed. Once again, the crowd broke into cheers of “Kobe” before Boyz II Men sang the National Anthem.
Usher.Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images
To conclude the pre-game tribute,LeBron Jameswalked out on the court to give a speech — throwing out the one he had prepared so he couldspeak from the heart.
“As I look around this arena, we’re all grieving,” he said tearfully. “Everybody that’s here, this is really truly a family… now, I know at some point we will have a memorial for Kobe… but I look at this as a celebration tonight. This is a celebration of the blood, sweat and tears… the determination to be as great as he could be.”
James spoke about how much it meant to him to be able to “continue his legacy.”
“In the words of Kobe Bryant, ‘Mamba out,’ but in the words of us, ‘not forgotten,’ ” James concluded. “Live on brother.”
Ahead of the game, Lakers head coachFrank Vogeltold PEOPLE about the special family bond the team shares and how it has been exemplified in this tragic week.
“I think the first time we came together on Wednesday and put some shooting work in, then we spent time together upstairs with our lunch,” Vogel said. “Really each day that we’ve gotten together the bond has strengthened even more and that will continue to be the case.”
If you would like to help the families of the victims of the crash, consider donating to theMamba on Three Fund. Contributions to theMamba Sports Foundationwill help support youth sports.
source: people.com
