- But many fans had a hard time catching the moment.
- It came in the form of an illuminated cross by the stage in the latter portion of the show, glowing in Lakers colors.
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Jennifer Lopez promised a "heartfelt" tribute to Kobe Bryant during the Super Bowl halftime show.
Ahead of Sunday night's Super Bowl, halftime performer Jennifer Lopez promised there would be a "heartfelt" tribute to Kobe Bryant, the basketball legend who died in a helicopter crash a week earlier.
But after all of the dancing, singing, and fireworks, many Kobe fans were left wondering if Lopez and co-performer Shakira had decided to cut the tribute at the last minute.
"Great halftime but what happened to the Kobe Bryant tribute?? Did I miss it or something???" a Twitter user named Sakyoa asked.
"Wait, didn't they say halftime show they were gonna do somethin special for Kobe? Did I miss something? Or am I just delusional ??" another Twitter user asked.
In fact, the tribute did happen, but it was easy to miss.
It took place during a quick change in the last few minutes of the show, as Lopez's daughter Emme sang a stripped-down version of her mom's hit "Let's Get Loud."
The cameras panned to an aerial shot of the stage, which was lit up in a cross, with purple accents off stage, the colors of Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers team .
The NFL also held a moment of silence for Bryant and his daughter Gianna during the pre-show. Bryant, his daughter, and seven others died in a helicopter crash on January 26 in Calabasas, California, while flying to a youth basketball game in foggy conditions. Bryant was 41 and his daughter was 13.
- Read more:
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- Vanessa Bryant posted touching tribute art of 'Gigi' Bryant in Kobe's No. 24 jersey
- I went to Shaq's Fun House, a wild Super Bowl pre-party with carnival rides, performances by Diddy and Diplo, and emotional tributes to Kobe Bryant. Here's what it was like.
- Vanessa Bryant asked to keep items fans left at the Staples Center memorial for Kobe
See Also:
- Shakira's viral 'tongue thing' at the Super Bowl halftime show may have been a nod to her Lebanese heritage
- Latinx and Spanish-speaking fans are celebrating Shakira and Jennifer Lopez's Super Bowl halftime show as a triumph of representation
- Magic Johnson recalled having to cheat in a one-on-one with Kobe Bryant: 'I was older, he was in his prime killing me!'