The millions of fans that have always loved Jeopardy got some tragic news on Sunday. The host that made everyone fall in love with the show, Alex Trebek, passed away at 80. Although the exact reason is currently unknown, a year ago he had announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. This prompted fans to go on social media and share the impact he has had on their lives while they also reminisced about their favorite moments.  One such moment was Trebek’s ultimate love for the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant.

ESPN Los Angeles posted a clip of Alex dedicating a heartfelt message to one of his favorites, Kobe Bryant, for his last game in 2016.

Trebek said, “This week is Kobe Bryant’s last game as a Los Angeles Laker player. And in the recent years, I’ve had the good fortune, thanks to working on Jeopardy for Sony, of having courtside seats for the Christmas Day games that the Lakers would play. And to be able to sit there with my son and my daughter, and watch Kobe and the team play and win was very exciting. It’s even more exciting than when they lose. They have fallen on hard times, but the Lakers will turn things around. Kobe will have a great post-basketball playing career. And I want to join all the others who are honoring him for 20 great years with one team… My Los Angeles Lakers.” 

The Jeopardy legend named his Lakers Mount Rushmore

Another clip of Alex talking about his Lakers’ fandom is going viral. He is seen sitting on his couch wearing Kobe’s No. 24 jersey. The former Jeopardy host explained how he became a Laker fan. He even revealed the names of players who made it to his Mount Rushmore.

“I became a Lakers fan in 1973,” Trebek said. “I’ve always been a big Lakers supporter. My Mount Rushmore would be Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], Magic [Johnson], Shaquille [O’Neal], and Kobe [Bryant].”

Trebek was seen heading to Staples Center for games quite often. It is incredibly tragic to mourn the death of the legendary Kobe Bryant and one of his biggest fans in the same year. The world may have lost two wonderfully influential and inspirational people, but their memories will live on.