Kobe Bryant honored at the Academy Awards and the internet wept

Kobe Bryant appeared in the ‘In Memoriam’ tribute

Published: Feb 10, 2020, 11:50 a.m. MST

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A memorial is presented for former Lakers player Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers in San Francisco Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. The Lakers won 125-120. John Hefti, Associated Press

By Herb Scribner

The Academy Awards honored Kobe Bryant during the “In Memoriam” tribute video on Sunday night.

What happened

Bryant, who died on Jan. 26 in a tragic helicopter crash, was the first person featured in the tribute video.
Billie Eilish covered The Beatles’ song “Yesterday” during the presentation.
Bryant passed away in 2020. In the past, the tribute videos mainly honored those who had died in the previous year.

Reaction

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Kobe fans celebrated the tribute video.

Thank you #AcademyAwards I don't know if you changed the rules since Kobe died this year, I heard that the memoriam was just for those who passed in 2019 either way thank you for recognizing him. #Oscars
— T3Media Studios (@t3mediastudios) February 10, 2020

Seeing Kobe on the in memory of part of the oscars still doesn’t feel real.
— Luke (@lnatali1995) February 10, 2020

I was not ready to see Kobe Bryant in the in Memoriam 🥺🥺
Lawd. #oscars I’m sure he would be so proud and excited to see @MatthewACherry win for #HairLove #KobeBryant
— Jennifer E (@SimplyJE) February 10, 2020

Some context

Bryant won an Academy Award in 2018 for his animated short film, “Dear Basketball.”
Reports before the Oscars suggested Bryant would be honored at the event.

Another tribute

Legendary director Spike Lee wore a specialized jacket honoring Kobe Bryant on the red carpet of the Academy Awards.

What’s next

Kobe will be honored on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in a public memorial service, which will also honor Bryant’s daughter, Gianna Bryant, and the seven others who died in the helicopter crash.

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