'Apollo, Keep Punching!' Stallone - and Philadelphia - Mourns Carl Weathers

“Today is an incredibly sad day for me,'' Stallone said. "I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success - everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos.''

Weathers played briefly for the Raiders and then in the CFL before turning to acting, his big break playing opposite Stallone as Apollo Creed in the first "Rocky,'' which became and continues to be a wildly popular franchise.

Weathers starred in other films and TV shows like 'Happy Gilmore,' "Predator,'' 'The Mandalorian,'' "Arrested Development'' and "In the Heat of the Night.''

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Adam Sandler are among the many paying tribute to their friend.

Stallone admitted he needed a moment to collect himself before going public with his mourning.

"When he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness,'' Stallone said. "But I didn’t realize how great. I never could’ve accomplished what we did with ‘Rocky’ without him.”

“He was absolutely brilliant — his voice, his size, his presence, his athletic ability, but, more importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss,” Stallone said. “He was magic. I was so fortunate to be part of his life. Apollo, keep punching.”