In the wake of NBA star Kobe Bryant's untimely death by helicopter crash on Sunday, a number of high-profile individuals have paid tribute to the basketball legend.
Most notably, Shaquille O'Neal expressed his grief on a special TNT pregame show on Tuesday. The heartbroken athlete spoke about how he had lost a "little brother".
"I haven't felt a pain that sharp in a while... it definitely changes me," he said. "The last couple months have been really tough. I lost my little sister. Haven't been doing the things I usually do. I work, we laugh, we kid, we joke. When I get back home I look at reality and say she's gone and it hurts."
Watch his heartfelt tribute below:And now, the Lakers legend has taken to Twitter to announce that will be donating the proceeds of his Super Bowl party to the families of the victims who died in the helicopter crash.
O'Neal had initially considered canceling the party but decided instead to turn the event into a fundraiser for the nine victims' loved ones.
"Been going back and forth the past couple of days on if I should even have my event in Miami this weekend," he wrote. "Part of me wanted to stay to myself as I reflect what my brother and his family mean to me and my family."
He continued: "But in thinking what would Kobe want, what would he do? Kobe would want us to push through and celebrate life. So let’s do just that. I'll be dedicating and donating all my proceeds from Friday nights Fun House to all the families who lost loved ones and to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. Together we will celebrate all those who lost their lives in Sunday's tragedy. RIP my brother, my friend, and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again."
Bryant died on Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with eight other individuals including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
