The Life Of A Champion
Here's How Super Bowl 2020 Is Honoring Kobe Bryant
The late NBA star was honored throughout the game
MEGAN MCCLUSKEY
Just a week after his death, the NFL is honoring Kobe Bryant and the others lost in last Sunday’s helicopter crash at Super Bowl LIV.
Prior to kickoff of the championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL honored Bryant and the others lost with a moment of silence. Players for both teams lined up on their respective 24-yard lines in tribute to Bryant, who wore the number 24 as a Los Angeles Laker.
The retired NBA superstar was killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 that also took the lives of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others, a tragedy that left the sports world reeling.
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are also expected to continue the tributes during the Super Bowl 2020 Halftime Show, after Lopez offered a pregame pledge at a press conference earlier in the week that their performance would include a “heartfelt” moment honoring Bryant.
“We’ll all be remembering Kobe on Sunday and celebrating life and diversity in this country,” Shakira added at the same press conference. “I’m sure he’d be very proud to see the message we are trying to convey on stage that day.”
Sunday’s Super Bowl is the second major live event that includes tributes to Bryant. Last Sunday night’s Grammy Awards took place just hours after news of the tragedy broke. During the show, performers and presenters shared their shock and grief. The show kicked off with a performance by Lizzo, who announced “Tonight is for Kobe.”
Want a print of TIME’s commemorative Kobe Bryant cover? Find it here.
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