Jimmy Fallon Remembers Kobe Bryant

-The world was left heartbroken yesterday by a helicopter accident in Los Angeles that claimed the lives of nine people, including Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Kobe was a life force, so strong, creative and inspired that in my head I thought he was going to live forever. I met Kobe when he was 17 and I was 21. He was a rookie on the Lakers and I was just starting out in the comedy scene in Los Angeles. We were at a party and we didn't know anyone at the party, so we just started talking. And I said, "Hey, what do you do?" And he says, "I play basketball." I say, "Where?" And he says, "For the Lakers." I say, "Wow." He says, "What are you doing?" I say, "I'm a comedian." We just hit it off, hit it off, and started talking.

He was telling me that he liked poetry and I met his sister. She was there. And then the guy throwing the party said, "Hey guys, who wants to go beer-running?" And Kobe wasn't drinking. He was 17 years old. Then he said, "I will." He says, "Jimmy, do you want to come?" So I say, “Okay.” So, I get in the car, it was me and Kobe Bryant. And we... he's new to Los Angeles and so am I. I didn't know Los Angeles at all. And we drove down Sunset Boulevard to a place called Pink Dot. It looked like a 7-Eleven.

Well, I thought it was a 7-Eleven. You arrived. And... But it wasn't a 7-Eleven. Anyway, I walk in, open the door and it's locked. And the guy says, "Sorry, I can't sell you anything." And I said, "We just want to have some beer right there." And he says, "Yeah, I can't do that." And I say, "But real quick, we know what he is. He's just there." And he's like, "Yeah, that's not how this place works. We just deliver. We're not allowed to sell things." And I'm like, "Uh, okay." And then Kobe pulls out his ID. and he puts it up against the glass and says, "I'm a Laker." And the guy opened the door and we walked out with five cases of beer and saved the party.

So we saved the party, said goodnight, and of course Kobe became a legend. Five NBA titles, two Olympic gold medals, 18 All-Star Game appearances. One of the most brilliant and respected players in NBA history. And when we met over the years, we laughed about that night we met. We would laugh at all the good things that had happened since then. And we would laugh about how fun it was to raise children and all the stupid mistakes we made trying to figure out how to be good parents. And Kobe had four daughters and I had two daughters. And today, he and one of his girls are gone.

But I think I knew Kobe well enough to know that he was up to any challenge by digging deeper and getting back to work. So let's honor Kobe, Gianna and the other lives lost yesterday by following his example. He loves your family, he loves your teammates, and he outworks everyone else in the gym. To Vanessa and everyone affected by this tragedy, we love you and we will always be there for all of you. Kobe, when we meet again, we'll go run beer.