Thursday night, LAFC fans unveiled a massive tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, who died alongside seven others in a helicopter crash last month. More than a month after their deaths, and three days after their public memorial at the Staples Center, LAFC’s supporter section (known as the 3252) unveiled a giant tifo with a photo recreation of Bryant and Gianna.
“Kobe & Gigi Forever”
LAFC fans unveiled a giant banner honoring Kobe and Gigi Thursday 💜💛(via @LAFC)pic.twitter.com/ZKwSYindL0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2020
The purple and gold display had the words “Kobe & Gigi Forever” scrawled across the bottom, while fans also held up white cards against a purple background for Bryant’s numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers, 8 and 24.
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Fans raised the tifo just ahead of Thursday’s big match against Club Leon in the Conacaf Champions League Round of 16, chanting “Kobe” as the image caught the attention of those around the stadium.
LAFC’s Carlos Vela, who scored twice during the match to help his team win 3-0, also wore a captain’s armband with a tribute to all nine people who died in the helicopter crash outside of Calabasas.
Social media exploded with reactions to the touching moment. Continue scrolling to see.
Way to go boys #3252 #LAFC would of made #Kobe&Gigi proud !
— Edgar (@edgarsgv) February 28, 2020
💜💛
— LAFC (@LAFC) February 28, 2020
Simply awesome! Well done 👍
— N (@RJNHuskies) February 28, 2020
RIP MAMBAS LEGENDS NEVER DIE
— ethan ⚡ (@shaibiggeststan) February 28, 2020
Respect from a Galaxy fan 🙌🏿
— Nate Wiggins (@nwiggins11) February 28, 2020
The vibe was electric.. and that help start it off!
— David I. Werntz (@reelsoundeffect) February 28, 2020
LAFC 3252 members chant and reveal a banner for Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna, before a game against Leon tonight. pic.twitter.com/YT8Rgu9Gzr
— dylan stewart (@dylanstw__) February 28, 2020
Bob Bradley said the tifo of Kobe and Gigi was incredible and set the Mamba Mentality for tonight. #LAFC
— Araceli Villanueva (@Aracelv1) February 28, 2020
Why I love the Banc! #LAForever #LAFC #Kobe pic.twitter.com/TK6QtNmblp
— Randy (@randycandyloks) February 28, 2020
Still feels unreal sometimes
— Deova (@Deovaaa) February 28, 2020
I still can’t believe they are gone. Feels like it isn’t real.
— El Rey Mulatto 🇨🇺 🇵🇦 (@AfroCubanoBaba) February 28, 2020
