The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is now displaying the “Sunday whites” jersey that Kobe Bryant wore during Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals. Kobe had donated the jersey to the museum and now it’s there for everybody to watch it and remember the big figure that Kobe Bryant was for African American history.
Last week, it was added to the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” gallery at the museum in Washington D.C. Kobe donated the jersey two years ago when the Bryant family contributed with $1 million to the museum. That Finals were lost by the Los Angeles Lakers, against the Boston Celtics in seven games.
“Kobe’s contributions on and off the court are remarkable,” Spencer Crew, interim director of the museum, said in a statement. “As a founding donor, he understood the significance of this museum to the nation and the world. After postponing the March installation due to COVID-19, we believe now is the perfect moment in history to honor his memory by placing his jersey on view.”
At NMAAHC, Kobe holds a very special place in our hearts. In the very critical stages of building our museum, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant became founding donors, giving us the boost that we needed to keep moving forward. #GameChangers pic.twitter.com/z9QOqW1NMe
— Smithsonian’s NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) October 19, 2020
Following his tragic death in January, Bryant has received plenty of homages all around the world. This is definitely a great honor for him and his family, more so knowing his contributions to the museum while he was still alive.
Being one of the greatest players to ever lived, Kobe’s name won’t ever be forgotten.
