With heavy hearts we heard the news of the shocking and tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter, Gianna, along with 7 others killed in a helicopter crash yesterday.

The Grammy Awards also happened last night, but for many, the festivities were overshadowed by sadness. Making things even more emotional, the Grammys were being held at the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the place where Kobe Bryant spent all 20 years of his NBA Career.

The Grammys are normally filled with fancy celebrities dressed in sequins and sparkles, but last night the gowns and tuxes were almost outnumbered by Kobe fans outside the Staples Center dressed in jerseys with the numbers 8 and 24 across their chests and the name BRYANT across their backs.

Alicia Key’s, who hosted last nights show, took the stage with some powerful words about Kobe, and followed it with an incredibly emotional tribute along with Boyz II Men.

Alicia started with “…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…”

The Grammys are normally filled with energy and noise, so to see things slowed down a bit last night to honor Kobe was incredible.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by every single loss in this tragic accident.

1-27-20