The tragic news of the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others on Sunday has left the world heartbroken and in shock.
In the wake of this news, Jimmy Fallon shared an emotional monologue — breaking down in tears, remembering Kobe on his show.
The other victims included Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his daughter Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli, assistant girls basketball coach from Harbor Day Christina Mauser, mother-daughter duo Sarah and Payton Chester, as well as the helicopter's pilot Ara Zobayan.
Shaquille O'Neal was one of Bryant's first friends to break their silence.
"I love you and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW!"
"Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. We love our families. Whenever we got together I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gianna was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. I miss you already brother. This is truly unbelievable. Everyone please keep the Bryant’s in your prayers. R.I.P."
"I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had!" LeBron began.
"Man, I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation. Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life #Gigi4Life," he concluded.
She broke down in an emotional monologue, speaking about Kobe on her show yesterday.
"Today is Monday. Yesterday was Sunday. It happened to be my birthday and the Grammy Awards," she said. "Yesterday was supposed to be a celebratory day, and then we got tragic news about Kobe Bryant."
"That's what I want to talk about. Life is short and it's fragile. And we don't know how many birthdays we have. So, just — we don't always have a birthday to celebrate. Just celebrate life."
After the show, Alicia shared to Instagram, "Tonight was tough but we made it through," she wrote. "Life is too short and unexpected. Kobe and Gianna lifted us up tonight."
"This honestly doesn’t make sense....I just saw you man," Kevin wrote on Instagram.
"This hurts my heart. God please place your hands on his family and help guide them thru this unbearable time. We love you forever man...Legends never die!!!! #MambaMentality #RIP.... RIP to the other passengers as well as sending prayers to their families."
"Heavy heart today... to the family, please know how much he impacted all of our lives and will live on in our hearts," Vin wrote. "Sending the deepest of condolences to all involved. Our prayers... for the family of this true hero."
"My heart is so heavy. No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through," Kim wrote.
"This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it. I am praying for the Bryant family, the Altobelli family and the families of all who perished in this unthinkable tragedy. Rest In Peace Legend."
"Life is so fragile. This is the kind of loss that makes you deeply reflective. My prayers to Vanessa, her children and all of those who love Kobe and Gigi," she wrote alongside this photo of Kobe and Gianna.
"This is a hard one. My heart is broken and bleeding everywhere today. This tragedy happened only a few miles from where I am. It’s heavy and it’s painful."
Jimmy broke down in tears giving an emotional speech on his show, remembering Kobe.
"Kobe was such a life force — so strong and creative and inspired that in my head, I thought that he was gonna live forever," he began.
"We were at a party and we didn't know anyone at the party, so we just started talking."
He explains that even though Kobe wasn't drinking that night, he offered to make a beer run for the party and invited Jimmy to tag along for the ride.
"When we'd run into each other over the years, we'd laugh about that night that we first met," he said, beginning to tear up.
"All the stupid mistakes we'd made trying to figure out how to be good dads."
"I think I knew Kobe enough to know that he rose to any challenge by digging deeper and getting back to work."
"Love your family, love your teammates, and outwork everyone else in the gym."
Watch the full video here.
