VIDEO: Peyton Manning Delivers Tribute to Kobe Bryant and Calabasas Crash Victims at NFL Honors
In the wake of the sudden, shocking passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash last Sunday, fans and celebrities alike are mourning the lives lost. During the NFL Honors on Saturday night, Peyton Manning presided over a tear-jerking tribute to the nine victims, speaking eloquently and touchingly about Kobe and Gigi and eliciting a standing ovation from the crowd.
From one ? to another.
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) February 2, 2020
Peyton Manning delivers a beautiful tribute to Kobe Bryant at #NFLHonors.
?: @NFL pic.twitter.com/m6GsWkocJ1
What an incredibly meaningful monologue by Manning for his friend. Manning and Bryant had similar career paths, both starting their pro careers in the late 90s and ending in 2016. As two of the top players in the histories of their respective sports, they became close friends as time went on.
Manning posted this very touching statement five days ago, the day of Bryant's passing.
Peyton Manning reacts to the tragic death of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/7j4dEnZGwm
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 27, 2020
The tributes will continue in the weeks and months to come, and that is precisely as it should be. But even when the NFL Honors themselves are but a memory, Manning's deeply affecting eulogy for those we lost far too soon will live on and on.