The Kobe Bryant Memorial Service was an Emotional, Tear-Inducing Event

Farewell Kobe and Gianna

Kobe Bryant’s tragic death on January 26 this year along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others was a piece of heartbreaking news for millions of fans across the globe. So, no one was surprised when Kobe Bryant memorial service turned out to be an emotional and tear-inducing affair. The speeches of Michael Jordon and Kobe’s wife, Venessa’s heartfelt words made people reach for the tissue boxes.

The biggest highlight of Kobe Bryant memorial service was when Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, talked about his little brother. He said “Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I. I just wanted to talk about Kobe. This kid had passion like you would never know,” he added. “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died.”

He admitted that the steady flow of tears might lead to another Crying Jordan meme soon. He said “I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this because I didn’t want to see this for the next three or four years. That is what Kobe Bryant does to me.”

“As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”

Michael Jordan on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/dTSp7VDosP

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020

The Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal, who had won three championships with Kobe Bryant also gave an emotional speech at Kobe Bryant memorial service. Appreciating Kobe, he said “The day Kobe gained my respect was a day the guys were complaining. They said ‘Shaq, Kobe’s not passing the ball. I said, ‘I’ll talk to him’. I said, ‘Kobe, there’s no I in team’. He said, ‘I know, but there’s a M-E in that motherf*****’.”

Shaq: there's no I in team
Kobe: “But there’s a ME in that muthaf*cka…”
😩😂😂#shaquilleoneal #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/tPG4JEht7j

— lovelyti (@lovelyti) February 24, 2020

A close friend of Kobe Bryant, Beyoncé Knowles opened Kobe Bryant memorial service with a superb rendition of XO. The pop star said “I’m here because I love Kobe — and this is one of his favourite songs.” She was backed by a choir and transitioned to Halo before Jimmy Kimmel took the stage and courageously fought back the tears.

💜💛 @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

The emotions at Kobe Bryant memorial service were at peak when his wife Vanessa took the stage and talked about her baby girl. She said “Gigi, my baby girl. Gianna Bryant is an amazing sweet and gentle soul. She always kissed me good night and kissed me good morning.” She also broke down while talking about how she won’t be able to teach her daughter how to drive a car and how her baby girl would never get married and have her own babies. She said “Gianna would have been an amazing mother … (and) likely would have become the best player in the WNBA. She would have made a huge difference for women’s basketball.”

Vanessa also appreciated Kobe Bryant as a father and spoke about the unique bond between the father and their daughter. She said “He was the MVP of girl dads. He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls how smart and beautiful they are.” Towards the end, she said “God knew they couldn’t be on this Earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together.”

College hoops star Sabrina Ionescu, WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach, Rob Pelinka, LA Lakers general manager and Bryant’s best friend also shared their feelings during Kobe Bryant memorial service before Alicia Keys played Bryant’s favourite song, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on the piano.

The concourse was filled with a sea of gold, black and purple clothing. The gatherers at Kobe Bryant memorial service included sporting legends, entertainment figures and countless fans.