LeBron James Explains Why It’s Important For Men To Cry And Express Their Emotions: “Men Should Be Emotional When Something Hits Your Heart”

The world has seen the fragility of numerous NBA players who abruptly lost their hero following the horrific helicopter crash that claimed Kobe Bryant's life.

 In fact, just five days after Bryant's passing, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, a close friend of Bryant, was observed crying while Boyz II Men sang an emotional version of the National Anthem.

 In a recent interview with Melissa Rohlin of Sports Illustrated, James gave an explanation of why it's acceptable for men to cry, saying, "Men should be emotional when something hits your heart."

"There's no reason not to be emotional about something when it feels that way.  James spoke about a hero he admired and a close friend, saying, "The emotion comes from, especially in this instance, somebody who has paved the way and done so many great things in our sport."

 NBA legend Michael Jordan, who became a social media meme for crying during his 2009 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, also talked about how he recently expressed his feelings at Kobe and Gianna's memorial.

Jordan said of Bryant's sudden death, "Now he's got me."  For the next three to four years, I'll have to stare at another crying meme.  To me, Kobe meant that much.

 Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry West, two former Laker players and close friends of Bryant, expressed their feelings on national television after his death.  West cried, adding, "I don't know if I can get over this, I really don't," while O'Neal fought to contain his tears, describing the "sharpest" agony he had felt in a long time.

 Mychal Thompson, who won two NBA titles with the Lakers, told his teammates that being open and letting your guard down while grieving made them "human."

"They're demonstrating that it's acceptable to express your feelings and not keep them all inside," he said.  "Expressing your feelings in public does not diminish your manliness.  It demonstrates your humanity. Oh,    

 Men are allowed to cry, according to John Callaghan, a former professor of biological sciences with a PhD in the sociopsychology of sport.

 We had to refrain and control ourselves for years on end, and it wasn't appropriate to display our innermost thoughts.  We had to keep everything to ourselves and be manly.  The situation has evolved.  Our society has changed,” Callaghan stated to the outlet.