Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
We still wish this is just a bad nightmare, but unfortunately, the grim news is real.
The world is still processing after news broke the Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore instantly killed when a helicopter carrying the retired NBA star crashed in Calabasas shortly before 10 a.m. When TMZ broke the news, immediate responses to Bryant’s tragic passing were mostly people refuting the gossip’s site reporting and expressing wanting to wait for more sources understandably.
Reality quickly set in once multiple news outlets began reporting in. Nothing stung more than a tweet coming from ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski dropping the bomb nobody in the world wanted to see reporting Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
Reactions to the NBA legend’s passing are a mix of utter shock, disbelief, thoughts, and prayers to his family, especially his young daughters who now have to navigate the world without their dad. Kobe’s death comes on the heels of Laker’s star, LeBron James passing him on the all-time scoring list and praised Bron for moving into the third spot both on Twitter and Instagram just 17 hours ago.
It’s gonna be hard to move on from this one, we definitely expect the sports world to honor Bryant throughout the day. It’s understandable if any of his NBA brethren and fellow athletes will find it hard to suit up and play today. You can peep all of the reactions to Kobe Bryant’s death in the gallery below.
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Photo: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
1.
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
2.
Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
RIP LEGEND
6.
“For those Kobe fans that are out there, that are feeling like I feel right now, just try and think of all the joy that he brought you.”
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
Brian Shaw reacts to the reported passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/WjAwmIHQle
7.
Deeply shocked at the news of Kobe Bryant and four others lost today.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 26, 2020
Sending all my thoughts to their families and loved ones in this devastating moment. https://t.co/1bgEhj2AhA
8.
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.
9.
Shocked by the death of @KobeBryant, an exemplary athlete both on and off the basketball court. Our most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/wGhF4xouVL
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 26, 2020
10.
My💔Goes Out To Kobe’s Family,Friends,Fans. It’s SO HARD To Deal With The Death Of a GREAT STAR,Because We Feel As If We Knew Them Personally.Kobe Bryant Was a GREAT ATHLETE,& All Of America Will Feel His Loss.
— Cher (@cher) January 26, 2020
The 🌎 Has Lost a Bright Light ✨🌟✨.
11.
An emotional interview with Drew Brees on the passing of Kobe Bryant.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 26, 2020
pic.twitter.com/W1KZmculQb
12.
The Orlando Magic is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family, the L.A. Lakers and the other victims of today’s tragedy and their families.
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 26, 2020
We will observe a moment of silence before tonight’s game.#RIPMAMBA pic.twitter.com/WxAJABXpeV
13.
People have started a memorial for Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) January 26, 2020
(via @Chiney321)pic.twitter.com/Cywy6nf6ul
14.
No words. Rest in peace #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/PXO6EMm9JL
— Cedi Osman (@cediosman) January 26, 2020
18.
Jay Williams gets emotional speaking on Kobe Bryant ♥️ pic.twitter.com/uzkruplye6
— ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) January 26, 2020
19.
Rip @kobebryant 😔 doesn’t feel real.... my heart goes out to his family and loved ones 🦋 pic.twitter.com/0qQeBtsz6U
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) January 26, 2020
20.
"You've got to make every day count."
— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2020
Former Vice Pres. Joe Biden responds to the death of NBA great Kobe Bryant while at a campaign stop in Iowa. https://t.co/OjXMfV1LmJ pic.twitter.com/brRYIICLYs
21.
I can’t believe that my hero and friend is gone too soon. I’m numb. pic.twitter.com/VOZtxqfvJA
— Ice Cube (@icecube) January 26, 2020
22.
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020