It has been 15 months since Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant & the seven others died in a helicopter crash, but his Hall of Fame enshrinement was no less emotional.
Vanessa Bryant, the wife of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, accepted the honor on behalf of her late husband on Saturday, one year later than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was escorted by Michael Jordan, but the moment was firmly her's as she again eulogized a man whose death remains surreal.
Here's the whole thing:
"Last February, I called Michael and asked if he would introduce Kobe tonight and he graciously accepted. Thank you for being here, Michael. Kobe admired you, this means so much to us," Vanessa told Michael Jordan, who presented Bryant into the Hall of Fame.
"I used to avoid praising my husband in public because I felt like he got enough praise from his fans around the world and someone had to bring him back to reality. Right now, I'm sure he's laughing in heaven because I'm about to praise him in public for his accomplishments on one of the most public stages. I could see him know, arms folded, with a huge grin saying, 'Isn't this some s---?' He's still winning," Vanessa said.
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