As the tragic news broke, many celebrities and fellow NBA players mourned the loss of basketball all-time great Kobe Bryant. Most of the teams who had games scheduled for the night took 8-second and 24-second violations, in honor of the two numbers Bryant wore for his long storied career. Players in the league also took to Twitter to express their mourning, while others such as DeMar DeRozan, a California native, broke down in front of reporters.
Many fans also gathered for a memorial outside Staples Center where Bryant played for most of his NBA career. Inside the arena, attendees of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards remembered the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
Singer Lizzo kicked off the show by dedicating the night to him, saying, “Tonight's for Kobe.” Afterward, Grammys host Alicia Keys also addressed the crowd, paying tribute to the legendary player, his daughter, and their family.
Here we are, together, on music's biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best. But to be honest with you, we're feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today, Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we're literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built.
Keys continued, asking the audience to support not only the NBA legend's loved ones but the families of the other victims as well.
Article Continues Below"We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built." Host @aliciakeys pays tribute to Kobe Bryant, his daughter and their family during her opening monologue at the #Grammys https://t.co/0BNpfw9wWV pic.twitter.com/9VzWZa2M8S
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 27, 2020
The host, along with vocal group Boyz II Men, opened the show with a song dedicated to the famed shooting guard.
During the event, Bryant's jerseys were also illuminated in the arena's rafters.
Kobe Bryant's jerseys are illuminated in the rafters of the Staples Center during the Grammys. pic.twitter.com/Db2Y6u8BT1
— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2020