It's been hard to know what to say in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that killed basketball superstar Kobe Bryant as well as his daughter, Gianna, or Gigi, and other passengers traveling with the father and daughter, Sarah Chester and her daughter, eighth-grader Payton, the head basketball coach at Orange Coast College John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, girls basketball coach Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Perhaps the only thing we all really can do is share memories of those who passed away so suddenly and tragically, which is exactly what Jimmy Fallon did last night as he addressed the passing of Kobe, who he first met when Kobe was 17-years-old and a rookie on the Lakers.
Jimmy's story is sweet and VERY Jimmy - funny, but touching and to the point - but man, when he starts crying... I just can't handle it.
worth a watch:
“I met Kobe when he was 17 and I was 21... He was a rookie on the Lakers and I was just starting out on the comedy scene in L.A. We were at a party and we didn’t know anyone at the party, so we just started talking. I said, ‘Hey what do you do?’ and he said ‘I play basketball’ and I go ‘Where?’ and he goes ‘For the Lakers.’ I go ‘Wow.”
Jimmy shared he and Kobe later went on a beer run for the party they were at - as Kobe was 17 and not drinking, so he was able to drive - and asked Jimmy to go with him.
Jimmy then shared how he and Kobe would recall that party and their meeting for years to come.
“Kobe went on to become a legend. When we’d run into each other over the years, we’d laugh about the night we first me. We’d laugh at all the good things that happened since and we’d laugh at how much fun it was to raise kids... Kobe had four daughters and I had two daughters and today he and one of his daughters are gone.”
Jimmy, thank you for sharing such a touching story and memory of Kobe. Jimmy talking about how he and Kobe would bond over being dads to daughters is so sweet and such proof of exactly who Kobe was. Jimmy concluded the story by saying "when we meet again, we're going on a beer run."
My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones on that helicopter. We are with you all.
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Photo: Getty Images