Jimmy Kimmel had tears streaming down his face as he delivered an emotional speech to open a special memorial ceremony dedicated to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Gigi Bryant.

The late night host honored the pair and the seven others who died tragically last month in a helicopter crash , telling the crowd gathered in a service at the Staples Center on Monday: This is a sad day. But it is also a celebration of life of their lives and of life itself in the building where those of us who are Lakers fans and Kobe fans celebrated so many of the best times of our lives.

Im honoured to have been asked to speak here, Kimmel said, adding that ticket proceeds from the memorial ceremony go directly to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. He also encouraged people to donate to the Mamba on Three Fund , which was created to support the families of the seven other crash victims: Alyssa, John and Kerri Altobelli; Payton and Sarah Chester; Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan.

Through tears, Kimmel said he can only imagine how painful this for them. And I dont think any of us could have imagined this.

Everywhere you go, you see his face, his number, Gigis face, Gigis number, everywhere, Kimmel said. At every intersection, there are hundreds of murals painted by artists who were inspired not because hes a basketball player, but because Kobe was an artist too.

And not just in LA across the country and Kobes hometown Philadelphia, in Italy, in India, the Philippines, China, New York, Phoenix, Boston, for Gods sake, he said, bringing the crowd to a brief laugh. In places where he would be booed on the court, Kobe is missed. Even the great Boston Celtic Bill Russell wore No. 24 and the Lakers jersey to yesterdays game.