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Kobe Bryant Tributes Pour in From Across the Sports World
Barack Obama, Shaquille O'Neal, and more pay tribute after Bryant's death in a helicopter crash
The sports world is mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant after news of the NBA legend's death broke Sunday. Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles. Among the eight other passengers who also died in the crash was Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore, nicknamed Gigi, multiple news organizations report.
Kobe Bryant, Lakers legend and NBA great, dies at 41 in helicopter crash
Many of Bryant's friends, former teammates and rivals, and celebrities posted condolences and tributes on social media. Michael Jordan posted a statement via Twitter about his relationship with Bryant. Barack Obama, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Dennis Rodman, and many more were also among those who wrote about the impact the basketball player had on their lives. Read some of their reactions below.
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020
Kobe and Gianna may your souls and the souls of the others who were with you Rest In Peace. My condolences and prayers go out to Kobe's wife Vanessa, his daughters and the Bryant Family. I Love You Kobe and will miss you dearly.
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) January 27, 2020
There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
Devastated to hear the news on my friend @kobebryant passing. Prayers go out to his wife Vanessa and his children and the @Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/Oki9GkYEu5
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) January 26, 2020
Damn. RIP Mamba. May your memory be a blessing
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
Spoke to a family member. They confirmed it. This is nuts.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 26, 2020
Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant .💔An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) January 26, 2020
Kobe just 10 days ago I had the pleasure of meeting you and felt what a great human being you were. I really thank you for some of the kind words you said when we spoke. I am so sad that you are gone. Rest in peace. #rip #kobe pic.twitter.com/viUHR5F2P2
— Nani (@luisnani) January 26, 2020
Raptors and Spurs start the game by each taking a 24 second clock violations to honor 24, #KobeByrant. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/Heq0B2LUmM
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe! My thoughts and prayers are wirh your family.
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) January 26, 2020
Rick Ross remembers Kobe Bryant at the #Grammys: "I'm devastated. I was actually in my hotel room getting dressed for the awards... I didn't still want to believe it, I didn't believe it" pic.twitter.com/otsijKaEbX
— Variety (@Variety) January 26, 2020
My heart is completely broken for Vanessa, the entire Bryant family, and all those on board. A father, husband, philanthropist, and one of California's most brilliant icons, Kobe transcended sports.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 26, 2020
Let's all hold those we love a little tighter today and every day.
I'm so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 26, 2020
I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
Downtown right now and nothing feels more unimportant than what we are doing today. This is absolutely terrible. Everyone is numb.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
No man, no
— Will Arnett™ (@arnettwill) January 26, 2020
Today we @WaltDisneyCo mourn the tragic loss of @kobebryant...a giant in sports and a person so full of life. Terrible news and so hard to process....
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 26, 2020
I remember Kobe bringing his daughters to the WRINKLE IN TIME premiere and talking about its meaning for him as a father. He loved his girls so. LA weeps today, as do fans around the world. Goodbye, Kobe and Gianna. Our memories of you will live on and on. pic.twitter.com/rq2kEXPhOQ
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family❤️
— Travie McCoy (@TravieMcCoy) January 26, 2020
My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It's hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Major League Soccer mourns the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and all of the victims of today's tragic accident. We are devastated by this news, and extend our condolences to the Bryant family and the families and friends of everyone involved. pic.twitter.com/iwEzfPiv8z
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 26, 2020
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Our thoughts go out to all the families involved in the tragedy and everyone in the Lakers, Los Angeles and NBA communities. pic.twitter.com/NDcCDP0GtM
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 26, 2020
Kobe was truly larger than life, a legend. May he and all those who lost their lives today rest in peace. Love and condolences to his family. LA will never be the same.
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) January 26, 2020
WWE is saddened by the passing of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. We extend our condolences to their family, fans and loved ones. https://t.co/uI2iShWSB0
— WWE (@WWE) January 26, 2020
Praying for the entire Bryant family and loved ones during this tragic time.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) January 26, 2020
Absolutely heartbreaking. Praying for strength for the entire Bryant family and sending all of you love. Rest In Peace Kobe and Gianna. pic.twitter.com/JW12AduxLU
— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) January 26, 2020
In shock right now. RIP Kobe 😢
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) January 26, 2020
Like everyone, I'm stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 26, 2020
#KobeBryant you were the greatest. You made our city and the rest of the world so proud. Every basketball fan knew the magnificence of the Mamba. Love and healing to Vanessa and those little girls. God, this is just the worst ever.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) January 26, 2020
Kobe is a G. Will always be remembered. @kobebryant Sad day.
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) January 26, 2020
rest in peace Kobe 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YtlMAVJHIJ
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 26, 2020
Everyone at our show is so saddened & shocked over the passing of Kobe Bryant. He was a father, husband, author, incredible athlete & one of the kindest guests we've had on our show. Please keep his family in your thoughts & remember to cherish the ones you love every single day pic.twitter.com/841PYJlvtq
— The Kelly Clarkson Show (@KellyClarksonTV) January 26, 2020
The world lost a giant today
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. Also praying for the other passengers that we lost and their families.
Jesus this is heartbreaking.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe, hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind to me & my family. My deepest condolences to his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 26, 2020
I will remember Kobe as a basketball legend,a father& a man. Watching him&Gigi share their relationship with us is something I won't ever forget. My heart aches for his wife, children& family. I hope the waves of love being sent to his family can ease some of the pain they feel.
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) January 27, 2020