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Kobe Bryant Statue: Emotional Russell Wilson Celebrates Lakers Legend, Joins NBA to Pay Homage

Published 02/08/2024, 10:38 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

At a deeply moving event in downtown Los Angeles, a statue immortalizing Kobe Bryant was revealed. For definite reasons, it is a significant moment in basketball history. Furthermore, the ceremony was held outside the Crypto.com Arena. Undoubtedly, many attendees were present there including the near and dear ones to Bryant.

Not just from the basketball arena, it drew legends of all different sports who are dedicated fans. Among the attendees was Russell Wilson, known for his admiration of Bryant and the Lakers. He captured the essence of the event very nicely in a social media post and later shared the video with everyone.

Russell Wilson captures emotional unveiling of Kobe Bryant’s statue

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Kobe Bryant’s statue was unveiled in a heartfelt ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. It was attended by luminaries from across the sports world, including the Denver Broncos’ Russell Wilson. Wilson has always been a devoted fan of Bryant and the Lakers. He went ahead and shared an intimate look at the event through a video on his Instagram story.

In the video, confetti danced around the newly revealed statue, encapsulating a moment of pure celebration. Even the unveiling date, February 8, 2024, was chosen very carefully. The date weaves together the numbers Bryant wore as a Laker and those his daughter Gianna donned. The statue itself immortalizes Bryant in a victorious pose. Not to mention, it was from his unforgettable 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors.

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Also, in Wilson’s social media tribute, he acknowledged the presence and contributions of Vanessa and Natalia Bryant. And of course, he shared the moment with his wife, Ciara. He didn’t forget to tag them in his story. Now, as fans already know, Wilson was benched by Payton. But is he coming back this year?

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Russell Wilson’s future in Limbo

Facing a challenging situation, the team’s recent strategic shift saw Sean Payton bench Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham. This definitely ignited discussions about Wilson’s tenure with the team.
Read more: CeeDee Lamb’s Mother: Meet Leta Ramirez, Cowboys Pro Bowl WR’s Mom Who Publicly Lashed Out at Dak Prescott

Wilson’s 2022 contract complicates matters further, featuring a full no-trade clause that allows him to reject any trade offers. Also, this is intertwined with a potential release that, while saving $37 million, incurs a historic $85 million dead cap hit. Well, this is the highest for any player in NFL history. And also, whether through attempting a trade he could veto or confront the cost of his release.

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What do you think, what will be the team’s final decision? Let us know below.

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Written by:

Ishika

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?Winning is not everything ? but making the effort to win is." This quote by Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers drives me. My journey into the world of the NFL started unexpectedly after the 2022 season thanks to a friend who introduced me to the sport.
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Edited by:

Ananya Giri