Celebrity News February 25, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s Parents Joe & Pam Bryant Make Quiet Appearance at His Public Memorial
On Monday, Joe and Pam Bryant were on hand for their son Kobe's public memorial at Staples Center.
The pair sat in the front row with their daughters, Kobe's sisters Shaya and Sharia.
While they didn't speak at the memorial, they were showered with love by Magic Johnson, Derek Fisher and Snoop Dogg.
Inside the venue, Magic was seen embracing Pam, while Derek gave a warm greeting to Joe.
Byron Scott, who coached Kobe and the Lakers from 2014-2016, also shared a photo with Joe. He wrote on Instagram, "My prayers and condolences are with you and your family Joe #JoeJellyBeanBryant."
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Kobe's former teammate Shaquille O'Neal also made a subtle acknowledgment of his role as a son, saying, “I could tell you that what filled Kobe's heart with the most pride was his role as a loving husband to Vanessa, daddy to Gigi, Natalia, Bianka and baby Capri, and [being] a loving son and brother. Kobe was a loyal friend and a true renaissance man."
After the memorial, Snoop posted a pic of Joe and Pam, writing on Instagram, “Sending love and. Prayers to momma. And Pappa Bean Bryant 🌹💙🙏🏽🏀 thank u for giving us. Kobe we love y'all and praying for your strength as parents to keep moving on from the. Broadus family 💕💥🔥.”
Many fans applauded Snoop for his move, with one saying, “Thank you for honoring his parents. I was disappointed no one was sending love to them and his sisters. The end of the day, they are his parent and everyone should have honored them [because] they are hurting too.”
Another one tweeted, “Thank you @SnoopDogg for acknowledging Pam And Joe Bryant on your Social Media . #KobeFarewell Rest in Peace Kobe ! Uncle Mamba got you always.”
One person tweeted, “Snoop posted a picture of Kobe Bryant's parents and I thought that was really thoughtful. Remember they lost a son, they are hurting and need prayers too.”
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith also shared his thoughts on Joe and Pamela's attendance, telling ESPN, "It is important to remember that he had a mother and a father and two sisters who lost their son and their brother."
He added, "No matter what went on, whatever tension existed, whatever the case may be, look at Joe Bryant's face when the cameras were on him yesterday. Look at the pain in that man's eyes... his son is gone."
Earlier this month, Sharia and Shaya broke their silence on their little brother's death. In a statement to iOne Digital, they said, “On behalf of our family, we join Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka and Capri in grieving the loss of Kobe and Gianna in such a tragic accident. We are devastated by the loss of our brother, son, our niece and granddaughter, and our hearts go out to all the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday. Our lives are forever changed."
They went on to express gratitude to the public, saying, "Thank you for your prayers, the numerous calls, texts, emails and cards."
“Extra's” Billy Bush recently sat down with Lakers legend Jerry West, who opened up about his family's heartbreak. One of Jerry's sons has been in communication with one of Kobe's sisters since his death. West shared, “His personal family, is just traumatized and devastated, as any family would be.”
Days after Kobe's death, DailyMail.com obtained photos of Kobe's father Joe Bryant stepping outside of the family home in Las Vegas after a bouquet of flowers was delivered.
A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, noted that Joe and Pamela Bryant's lives have been turned “upside down.” They added, “I talked to them twice yesterday and took over food and a card, and briefly today. They are just devastated, as you can imagine. It's a private, awful moment, losing their son and granddaughter; it's just horrific. I was talking to Joe briefly the day before, we were out for a walk, it was all happy and good and talking about the gorgeous weather, and then it switched in 24 hours where their lives were turned upside down."
Kobe and his parents have had a tumultuous relationship over the years, but it appears that they were on better terms at the time of his sudden death.
Joe's best friend Wayne Slappy had seen Kobe bond with his dad in Santa Barbara at a basketball camp not long before the crash. He told DailyMail.com, “I just remember being with him up at his camp in Santa Barbara and seeing him hug his dad. You know how they loved each other from how they looked at each other, how they smiled.”
He emphasized, “Everybody's family has issues, disagreements here and there. The healing comes, but this healing is going to be hard because he's not here.”
Kobe Bryant’s Private Funeral Details Released
View StoryOn February 7, Kobe was laid to rest in a private funeral at Pacific View Mortuary in Corona Del Mar. It is unknown who attended the private funeral, but it looks like Kobe's sister Sharia was in town at the time — Kobe's wife Vanessa shared a video of their daughter Capri standing up with the help of “auntie Ri-Ri.”