Erin Jensen , USA TODAY Published : am ET Feb. 2, 07452 Updated : am ET Feb. 2,
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At a press conference for their Super Bowl halftime show, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira talked about the tragedy involving Kobe Bryant and his daughter. USA TODAY
JJ Watt , defensive end for the Houston Texans and host of this weekend’s
“Saturday Night Live,” paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during the show’s sendoff.
Wearing a white Lakers jersey bearing Bryant’s 31, Watt took a piece of paper from his pocket, crumpled it and shot it into the air. As he greeted “SNL” cast members, with his back to the stage, Bryant’s name was visible.
The show commemorated the moment on its official Twitter account, using heart emojis in Lakers team colors.
Watt was one of the many celebrities who took to social media to grieve the basketball star after he died Jan.
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Bryant, his – year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California . Bryant was
Watt, like many, could not believe that Bryant was gone.
“Can’t be true. Just can’t be, ” the football player tweeted . “Truly truly horrific. Rest In Peace Kobe. ”
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