Michael Jordan broke down and cried Monday as soon as he took the podium to deliver a eulogy for “little brother” Kobe Bryant.
Not long into his tribute, Jordan had the Staples Center in stitches.
Michael Jordan in tears talking about Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/jTzvZund4K
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2020
The former basketball legend was among the mourners at the memorial in Los Angeles for Bryant and daughter Gianna a month after the two were killed with seven others in a helicopter crash.
”When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died,” Jordan told the packed arena. “I had a little brother that I tried to help in every way I could. Please rest in peace, little brother.”
"When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died."
— ESPN (@espn) February 24, 2020
—Michael Jordan during Kobe and Gianna's Celebration of Life pic.twitter.com/U2Lyj8AyUZ
Then Jordan brought a little levity to the service. He joked he was going to have to look at another “Crying Jordan” meme as a result.
“I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this, because I didn’t want to see this for the next three or four years. That is what Kobe Bryant does to me,” Jordan said. “He knows how to get to you in a way that affects you personally … even if he’s being a pain in the ass.”
"I didn't wanna look at another crying meme..." ? pic.twitter.com/9zFFo3cDhd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 24, 2020
The former Chicago Bulls star made the reference to the meme of his face, blurry-eyed with tears streaming down his cheeks, from his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
"Now I'll have to look at another crying meme...THAT is what Kobe Bryant does to me." - Michael Jordan. He's not wrong. ?❤️ #TwentyFourever pic.twitter.com/1kQ8W4a90h
— E! News (@enews) February 24, 2020
“He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be, and, as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother I could be,” Jordan added.
