The world was in shock when NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, 41, passed in a helicopter crash that killed all 9 passengers, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. It was reported that the helicopter crashed and caught fire in Calabasas, California at 9:47 AM (Pacific Standard Time) over the midst of a heavy fog.
While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) started investigations over the crash, many known personalities have expressed their grievances over the passing of the legendary Lakers player.
In the basketball realm, a lot of tributes outpoured on the day of Bryant’s passing.
Many of them include the Golden State Warriors who collectively expressed their grievances in a public tweet:
We were incredibly saddened and shocked to learn about the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, earlier today.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Bryant family and Lakers organization. pic.twitter.com/JlQSGCPZQ3
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 26, 2020
Miami Heat star player Dwyane Wade shared through his Instagram story about his utter shock of Bryant’s passing. Later, he shared on an Instagram post, “Heroes come and go. LEGENDS live forever!!”
NBA star Lebron James, who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, was reported to be in tears after his flight and was hugging people in the airport.
LeBron James. ? pic.twitter.com/4g9zD2EQ2p
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 26, 2020
Atlanta Hawks player dedicated the match between the Hawks and the Washington Wizards to Bryant by wearing his #8 jersey. The Hawks eventually won the match with 152-133. He shared his grievances to Twitter:
All the Lessons
All the Advice
Every word you ever told me…
Will stick with me foreverThank You Kobe??❤️ pic.twitter.com/WPCdHg3iyt
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shared on a tweet of how much he values Kobe than just a basketball player. He wrote, “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.”
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
Another NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson tweeted of how impactful Bryant’s passing will be for not only the Lakers, but for Los Angeles. He stated, “Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family.”
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
And Bryant’s frequent partner Shaquille O’Neal expressed his pain in two consecutive tweets. His latest tweet was to acknowledge how much of a family man Kobe is, “Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common.”
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 so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
During the 62nd Grammy Awards, host Alicia Keys opened the ceremony with a heartfelt acknowledgement of Bryant’s contribution. Afterwards, she and Boyz II Men paid tribute with a rendition of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday”.
https://twitter.com/CBS/status/1221609839861780481
As part of her performance in the ceremony, Lizzo dedicated her song number of “Cuz I Love You” to the Black Mamba himself.
"Tonight is for Kobe."
Lizzo opened the Grammy Awards with a performance of "'Cuz I Love You.”Follow updates: https://t.co/CNa7rHGpgz
— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2020
Among the celebrities who shared their grievances is musician Pharrell Williams, who shared on Twitter, “The world lost a giant today. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. Also praying for the other passengers that we lost and their families.”
The world lost a giant today
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. Also praying for the other passengers that we lost and their families.— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 26, 2020
Comedian Kevin Hart took to Instagram over his shock on Kobe’s passing, stating, “I have no words…All I have is real tears….This is beyond heartbreaking.”
Talk show host Ellen Degeneres shared how she received the same emotions as everyone over the news. She tweeted, “Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.”
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
Justin Bieber also took to Instagram to express his grief over the Black Mamba’s death. His post captioned: “It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day. Love you man!”
And Kanye West as well paid tribute to his brother, posting on Twitter, “Kobe, we love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
Kobe, We love you brother
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave pic.twitter.com/pxbgLOOmpY
— ye (@kanyewest) January 26, 2020
Former US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Bryant. He shared on Twitter: “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.”
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
Local celebrities also expressed their thoughts on Monday morning about Bryant’s passing.
‘It’s Showtime’ host Anne Curtis reacted to receiving the shocking news on her morning tweet.
Such sad news to wake up to… to hear about the passing of one of the most celebrated basketball players of all time, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.. and everyone who was on that chopper ride….
May they all Rest In Peace. ? #RIPKobeBryant— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) January 26, 2020
Former Lady Eagles volleyball star and TV host Gretchen Ho expressed in her tweet: “One of those moments where life slaps you with its finite reality. Life is, indeed, so short. We should never take it for granted.”
One of those moments where life slaps you with its finite reality. Life is, indeed, so short. We should never take it for granted ? #RIPKobeBryant
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) January 26, 2020
Actress Ruffa Gutierrez shared her admiration for Bryant in her Instagram post. She stated, “My family and I used to watch you play – we are your biggest fans. Now you’re gone. This is truly devastating. We will miss you Kobe & you will never be forgotten!”
Actor Derek Ramsay hailed Bryant’s influence as one of the legendary basketball players in NBA history in his Instagram account. “Mamba out! This guy is the definition of hardwork and dedication. RIP to one of the greatest basketball players of all-time,” he shared.
Jackie Forster also acknowledged Bryant’s dedication to his daughter in her Instagram post. She shared that, “Just like that. Hold your loved ones close and never let a chance go by to let them know how much you love them. Nothing in this fragile life is guaranteed #Rip #BlackMamba. Prayers up for his beautiful girls he left behind.”
