Kobe Bryantwas never far from palShaquille O’Neal‘s mind as the retired player hosted hisannual Super Bowl partyover the weekend.
Although still reeling from the devastating deaths of Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, O’Neal announced earlier this week that he would be going forward with Shaq’s Funhouse Super Bowl Party — and would alsodonate the proceedsto the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation as well as to the families of thefamilies of the tragic helicopter crash.
“It was just the right thing to do,” O’Neal, 47, told PEOPLE on Friday inside Yellow Tail Wine’s puppy pop-up at the event. “A lot of people were lost, my heart is with the families. I know families are hurting.”
“I’m going to do pretty well here this weekend, so I’m going to make sure those families feel a little better. Nothing in the world can replace that pain, but if I can just add a little bit of laughter and excitement, I’m willing to do that,” he added.
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“We miss you, Kobe Bryant,” he said.
Bryant’s spirit was also present in all of the performances throughout the night. WhenSean “Diddy” Combstook the stage, he also played a tribute video, and dedicated his song “I’ll Be Missing You” to Bryant.
Speaking at the event,Pitbullalso added: “Kobe’s legacy is timeless, let it be a movement, not a moment.”
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One of the event’s most excited attendees, in fact, wasThe Bachelorette’sTyler Cameron, who walked the carpet with Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s Dare Ogunbowale. Cameron, a former football player himself, was clearly fan-boying over the NFL athlete, telling reporters, ‘that’s the guy you really want!’. Also in attendance were Dr. Oz, Ric Flair, The Big Show, and more.
Shaquille O’Neal.WorldRedEye
When O’Neal first announced that he would not be canceling the event, he shared that it took him several days to come to the decision.
“Part of me wanted to stay to myself as I reflect what my brother and his family mean to me and my family,” he wrote on Twitter, adding that he made up his mind after thinking of what Bryant would want him to do.
“Kobe would want us to push through and celebrate life. So lets do just that,” O’Neal continued. “Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sundays tragedy. Rip to my brother, my friend and my homie. The Black Mama. Until we meet again.”
If you would like to help the families of the victims of the crash, consider donating to theMamba on Three Fund. Contributions to theMamba Sports Foundationwill help support youth sports.
source: people.com
