Teary Michael Jordan jokes he’ll become ‘another crying meme’ at Kobe Bryant memorial

A tearful Michael Jordan referenced his infamous crying meme while speaking about Kobe Bryant during Monday’s memorial service for the former Los Angeles Lakers star.

Jordan’s remark led to plenty of laughs during an otherwise emotional day.

“Now he’s got me ... I’ll have to look at another crying meme,” Jordan began, cut off by cheers and laughter from the crowd. “I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this because I didn’t want to see that for another three or four years. That is what Kobe Bryant does to me.”

The meme is in reference to an often-shared and photoshopped image of Jordan crying at his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction. The image began circulating on social media several years later, with his face superimposed onto anyone’s associated with losing.

ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols called his reference “tremendous” and The Atlantic’s Jemele Hill said it was a “game winner” for the former Chicago Bulls standout, a six-time NBA champion.

Jordan said during his speech that as he got to know Bryant, he “wanted to be the best big brother” he could be.