January 27, 2020
The tributes honoring the late Kobe Bryant continued to roll in across Philadelphia and the entire country on Monday.
The Ben Franklin Bridge will be lit up in purple this whole week in memory of Bryant. The Delaware River Port Authority announced the plans to illuminate the bridge in purple on Monday, noting Bryant's connection to the Philadelphia area.
Bryant, 41, who went to high school in Lower Merion, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were two of the nine passengers killed in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles County, California, on Sunday.
Bryant, who played his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was a high school basketball star from 1992-1996 at Lower Merion High School on the Main Line. The five-time NBA champion led Lower Merion to the Pennsylvania state championship in his senior year.
The gymnasium at the high school is named after him.
"Mr. Bryant's connection to Lower Merion High School, where he played basketball prior to joining the NBA, has raised the profile of the high school and our district throughout the world," school officials said in a statement on Sunday.
Students at Lower Merion came out to honor their school’s alum in droves since news broke Bryant had been killed.
The tribute continues as fans show up to Kobe Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion to honor the legacy of the star. pic.twitter.com/LJudVLwoiX
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 26, 2020
Different people at different times but a constant crowd stands in silence at the #Kobe memorial outside Lower Merion High School. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/IQBctCk73y
— Steven Fisher (@Steven_Fisher10) January 26, 2020
The Ben Franklin Bridge isn't the only Philly landmark to be lit up purple in honor of "The Black Mamba." Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, the Wells Fargo Center—an arena where Bryant had many classic battles during his career with the Philadelphia 76ers—Boathouse Row, and skyscrapers in Center City will be awash in purple light, too.
Never thought I would see the Wells Fargo Center lit up purple in Lakers colors
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 27, 2020
Sixers home and Phillies Citizens Bank Park Liberty Bell lit up for Kobe Bryant#RIPMamba 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ZmUvCEyHpi
LAKERS PURPLE in Philly:
— Corey Davis (@CoreyDavis6abc) January 28, 2020
I was just here for the @sixers/@Lakers game over the weekend hoping Kobe would make a surprise appearance. 😞
The @sixers are now planning to honor his legacy during tonight’s game. @6abc pic.twitter.com/OzbX5CSQ8g
Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row is purple tonight. #RIPKobeBryant pic.twitter.com/tvFlAd9aNF
— Cindy Webster (@CindyWeb94) January 27, 2020
💜 Philly is Lit Up Purple Tonight to honor Kobe Bryant!
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) January 28, 2020
💟 Center City
💟 Wells Fargo Center
💟 Ben Franklin Bridge
💟 Boat House Row
Philadelphia paying tribute to the Lakers star with the color purple! @6abc #Philly #KobeByrant #Kobe #KobeRIP #KobeBryantRIP pic.twitter.com/c4zpLMxQS6
Time Magazine announced on Monday afternoon that its new commemorative cover will feature Bryant.
TIME’s new commemorative cover: Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020 pic.twitter.com/zGlEToV3OM
— TIME (@TIME) January 27, 2020
A new mural honoring both Kobe and Gianna Bryant appeared in Los Angeles on Monday.
New mural honoring Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna pops up in LA https://t.co/MfFD6ON2zm pic.twitter.com/ZXC4QnrJDD
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) January 27, 2020
An unidentified person put black tape with white letters reading "Kobe" over the 42nd Street portion of the subway stop sign for Bryant Park.
Makeshift 'Kobe Bryant Park' Tribute Goes Up In Subway Station https://t.co/H7Ni42rSil pic.twitter.com/Gxi4UltTnl
— Gothamist (@Gothamist) January 27, 2020
Rucker Park, a world-famous outdoor basketball court in New York City where Bryant once played a pickup game in 2002, wrote "8" and "24" with chalk on the court to honor him.
Rucker Park paying homage to Kobe Bryant. #MambaOut pic.twitter.com/sPSw907qyX
— Justin Walters (@JustinWaltersTV) January 27, 2020
On Monday night, the Empire State Building was lit up purple and gold in honor of Bryant.
NYC’s Empire State Building is lit up purple & gold to honor Kobe 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/OS4jk0BT3f
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 28, 2020
Taxicabs in Miami displayed the numbers "8" and "24" honoring Kobe Bryant on screens on top of the cars.
Taxi cabs in Miami (and around the country) are honoring Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/gZDGjXPnJz
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) January 28, 2020
Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men paid tribute to the Laker legend in his home building, the Staples Center, on Sunday night during the 2020 Grammy Awards with an a cappella rendition of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye.”
“Here we are together on music's biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best," Keys said. "But to be honest with you, we're all 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.”
“We love you, Kobe,” Keys said at the end as the camera zoomed in on Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys illuminated from the rafters of the Staples Center.
Other tributes to Bryant during the Grammys included Run-DMC holding up his No. 24 jersey after performing "Walk This Way" with Aerosmith, a No. 24 jersey draped on a chair during Lil Nas X’s performance of "Old Town Road", and Lizzo declaring "This night is for Kobe" before singing her hit single, "Cuz I Love You."
