Hoda Kotb was overcome with emotion Friday morning on the Today show following an interview with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees about the impact of coronavirus on the city.
Brees spoke with Kotb about his decision to donate $5 million to help help Louisiana residents during the pandemic. Kotb worked in New Orleans as a local news anchor in the 1990s and was visibly moved by the NFL star’s generosity.
“I’m sorry,” she said, before pausing. Her colleague Savannah Gutherie provided comfort on air.
“Hoda, I’m sorry, hon. Take a moment. It’s a lot,” she said. “I know where your heart is, my dear, I do.”
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The emotional moment touched Today fans all over the country. Many said on Twitter they can relate to the anxiety people are feeling since the coronavirus outbreak.
Fellow Today anchor Jenna Bush Hager watched the show from home, and took to Twitter to offer Kotb her support.
“This is the reason, I love @hodakotb; all heart, all compassion,” she tweeted. “She is unable to be anything but who she is… as my aunt said, her tears were for all of us.”