*Thousands of fans attended Monday’s sold-out public memorial to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Some of the celebrities and athletes in attendance at the Staples Center included: Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kanye West, Kris Jenner, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Ciara, Russell Wilson, Magic Johnson, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.
Popculture.com writes, “while the majority of fans were focused on the touching tributes, there were others that had some questions for those that planned the ceremony. Why weren’t Bryant’s parents, Joe and Pam, mentioned on Monday?”
Fans are said to be pissed that Kobe’s parents didn’t receive even the slightest acknowledgment. Several took to social media to note that Joe and Pam, as well as Bryant’s sisters, had not been mentioned during the ceremony, and inquiring minds wants to know why?
Check out some of the reactions below.
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Such a sad day for so many. Yet my WHOLE HEART ACHES for #PamBryant and #JoeBryant Kobe’s parents, who are present at the #StaplesCenter but have not been acknowledged by ANYONE. They are his PARENTS. pic.twitter.com/MwgTb0agAS
— Traci with an i #FlyEaglesFly ? (@SheBleedsGreen) February 24, 2020
One Bryant fan posted an image of an old newspaper article about Joe getting a coaching job and noted his influence on his son.
“Acknowledge his parents and his sisters!!! SOMEBODY. ANYBODY,” a Bryant fan wrote on Monday.
loved #KobeFarewell but to have Kobe’s parents & siblings not mentioned…Kobe did not get here via immaculate conception. Before Kobe was Kobe, he was Joe Bryant’s son the first to introduce him to the game, he was Pam Bryant’s son, his first love of a woman, he was a brother…
— She (@LOVE_HER_FAMILY) February 24, 2020
Joe and Pam Bryant were among the close family and friends present at the “Celebration of Life,” honoring the late Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter.
We previously reported.. Joe was seen embracing Kobe’s former Lakers teammate, Shaquille O’Neal, during the playing of a highlight reel of Gianna.
I feel Vanessa Bryant ‘s pain but people should also remember that Kobe came from Pam and Joe Bryant . They may not be perfect but i am sure that Kobe loves them. Mamba Mentality isnt about hate, only greatness and that includes forgiveness. I heard GIGI loves his grandpa #RIP pic.twitter.com/G6OMpW74V2
— Lakers Granny (@LakersGranny) February 24, 2020
According to Entertainment Tonight, Kobe’s parents were seated on the opposite side in the same row as Vanessa, who was sitting by her mother and her sister Sophie and Vanessa’s eldest daughter, Natalia.
Some fans on social media recalled how Bryant’s parents didn’t attend his wedding to Vanessa, so they believe this was the reason behind them not being mentioned during the ceremony.
It would be a SHAME before GOD if they exclude #Kobe’s parents from speaking at the services today! I dont care WHAT happened! That would be COLD! NEVER forget! Do the right thing! Period! #KobeFarewell #KobeandGianna #JoeBryant #JellyBeanBryant #kobeandgigi #kobememorial
— Angela Blair (@Angela_Blair) February 24, 2020
In an earlier Instagram post, Vanessa shared the significance of the memorial’s date: 2.24.20. Gianna’s jersey number was 2 and Kobe’s jersey number when he retired was 24. She and Kobe were together for 20 years.
Kobe’s father not only coached basketball, he was a former professional basketball player. He and Pam married in 1975. They are also parents to Kobe’s two older sisters, Sharia and Shaya.
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