NewsLocal NewsCleveland Metro

Actions

Cleveland lights up purple and gold in honor of Kobe Bryant

Terminal Tower Kobe Bryant
Posted at 10:41 PM, Jan 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-15 19:40:58-05

CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s Terminal Tower honored the life and legacy of former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, who was among the nine people killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning, by lighting up purple and gold.

Other Cleveland landmarks showed their respect with purple and gold lights, including buildings in the Playhouse Square district.

The 41-year-old former NBA star and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were aboard the aircraft when it went down in Calabasas around 10 a.m. PST.

Also on board was Orange Coast College head baseball coach John Altobelli. Altobelli, his wife Keri and his daughter Alyssa were among the nine people killed in the Calabasas, California crash, according to Orange Coast College.

Bryant is considered one of the best basketball players of all time, having won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also earned gold medals as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Cleveland was never home to Bryant but his legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of people all around the world, including right here in Northeast Ohio.

RELATED: Kobe's last game in Cleveland against LeBron is one we'll always remember