Following a Friday interview with New Orleans Saints star quarterback Drew Brees, NBC “Today” anchor Hoda Kotb was overcome with emotion after discussing the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the place she once called home.
Brees this week donated $5 million to help combat the spread in Louisiana, which has been severely hit by the coronavirus, and in the interview, he offered some hope to viewers.
“This is a devastating thing for a lot of people but especially for the state of Louisiana,” Brees told Kotb, later adding, “[W]e have to come together and help one another and make sure we get through this together.”
The quarterback then told the people of New Orleans to “hang in there and maintain hope.”
Kotb concluded the interview thanking Brees for his generous donation, and then broke down in tears.
“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to gain her composure.
“Hoda, I know it’s a lot,” NBC’s Savannah Guthrie stated. “Hoda, I’m so sorry, hon. Take a moment. It’s a lot. I know where your heart is, my dear, I do.”
Guthrie then offered to read the tease for the next segment, telling her coworker, “Deep breaths. Deep breaths.”
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