Peyton Manning Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant in Emotional Speech at NFL Honors 2020 (Video)

Peyton Manning is paying tribute to Kobe Bryant.

The retired 43-year-old NFL quarterback paid tribute during the 2020 NFL Honors on Saturday (February 1).

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“Last week, the sports world lost a shining light with the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. I was lucky to call Kobe my friend. Our careers overlapped almost identically. We even retired within just a few months of each other. I remember meeting him for the first time in the Lakers locker room in 1999. We immediately recognized mutual appreciation for what it took to do our jobs well,” he said.

“His sport was different, but the way that Kobe prepared, the way that he analyzed the game, that was very familiar. Kobe loved not just basketball but all sports. He was a superstar and a fan. A huge admirer of his hometown Philadelphia Eagles. Kobe gave a pep talk to the team before a playoff game the year they won the Super Bowl,” he continued.

“The NFL joins the country and the world in mourning the loss of nine individuals who left their own indelible imprint on the lives of many. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with their families. May God’s peace be with all of them and I sure do miss my friend Kobe Bryant.”

Many sports stars are honoring the late NBA legend. Here’s what another superstar said…

Watch the full speech…