Getty Image / Harry How / Staff
The sports community and the world was stunned on Sunday afternoon after the news that Kobe Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash. The NBA legend was only 41-years-old when his private helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, according to TMZ. The helicopter accident killed Kobe Bryant as well as all five passengers and crew who were on board.
NBA players, celebrities, basketball journalists, and fans shared their shock on social media at the untimely death. Those who paid their respects to the NBA legend on Twitter and Instagram included Dwyane Wade, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Tom Brady, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Kevin Love, Mark Cuban, Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Guy Fieri, Justin Verlander, the Wu-Tang Clan, Ellen DeGeneres, Usain Bolt, President Trump, Barack Obama, Mike Krzyzewski, Fran Fraschilla, and many more.
Here are just some of the celebrities and sports stars from the NBA, MLB, and NFL who have reacted to Kobe’s premature death, mostly with absolute shock.
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) 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
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Please no. Please god no. It can’t be true.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 26, 2020
RELATED: Shaq Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Kobe Bryant: ‘There’s No Words To Express The Pain I’m Going Through’
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
Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA @NBA @espn @SLAMonline pic.twitter.com/Ll0BD6VWgr
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 26, 2020
NO PLEASE🙏
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 26, 2020
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!!!!
RIP LEGEND
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/MuggsyBogues/status/1221528278030147584
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020
Uhhhh. Noooo…life is too precious. RIP Kobe 🙏🏼
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) January 26, 2020
Somebody tell me it ain’t so!!!!!
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/tonyparker/status/1221527048771883008
No fucking way… no way, no way…….. No way……… No way……no way…… I love you Kobe…
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 26, 2020
Damn. RIP Mamba. May your memory be a blessing
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
To all of my friends, thank you. Each of you have shared part of yourself with me and made my life better. I have tried to do the same. If you were here I would hug you like I just hugged my family. It hurts that it takes a tragedy to remind us of our mortality.#hugyourfriends
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
We can never forget how precious life is. How those who are special to you and never let them forget how deeply you love them
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
…This S*** can’t be real… this the first moment I was able to meet Gianna Maria, she’s been to only 3 games this year… 2 of them were mine… She told me I was her favorite player to watch🙏🏽 I can’t believe this😢😭
Rest Easy Gigi❤️ pic.twitter.com/IfDrE9Gjlv
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Struggling to process what is now a reality. Kobe’s life after basketball was just beginning and his second act was going to be even greater. His legacy, Gigi’s legacy both will live on forever!
— Derek Fisher (@derekfisher) January 26, 2020
Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2020
R.I.P Legend 😔
Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) January 26, 2020
Man not Kobe… Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020
Kobe you were my idol… period. Mentality through and through. Thank you. To your family, I wish y’all nothing but the very best. Prayers and thoughts with you don’t begin to describe what we want for y’all. Love and respect to #8 & #24 forever. #MambaMentality #Mamba
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 26, 2020
Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 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
Statement from Jerry West on the passing of Kobe Bryant: pic.twitter.com/miNDpJUsXm
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 26, 2020
Unreal 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/eDuqHhWnOt
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) January 26, 2020
Life’s way too short.
My favorite athlete of all time is gone…— Jamal Adams (@Prez) January 26, 2020
My heart hurts for Kobe and his family. Life aint fair man. This cant be
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) January 26, 2020
No words… Absolutely heartbroken for Kobe’s family. #RIPKobe
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) January 26, 2020
A legend gone too soon. #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/SgtDWcY7ZT
— Mayor Guy Fieri (@GuyFieri) January 26, 2020
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of @kobebryant Shocked and saddened to hear he has died in a helicopter accident. A man that transcends basketball and sport in general. One of the all time great athletes. #rip #nba #KobeByrant pic.twitter.com/IFYQa2MCoE
— Wu Tang Clan (@WuTangClan) January 26, 2020
Coach K’s statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. Krzyzewski coached Kobe on the 2008 USA “Redeem Team” that won Olympic gold: pic.twitter.com/SuvBPPHklx
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) 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 (@EllenDeGeneres) January 26, 2020
Every team has to retire 24
— Tyler Herro (@raf_tyler) January 26, 2020
This is painful. No other words. RIP, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/iQgeMAIeh7
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 26, 2020
Real tears. Unreal man. Shit makes no sense. How is the world going to take Kobe from us so soon? Can’t even speak man. This is awful. Prayers to everyone!
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) January 26, 2020
Hurting like the rest of the world right now but not as much as Kobe’s Family. Everybody keep them in your thoughts and prayers #RIPKobe
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 26, 2020
Kobe lived just down the road. Everyone in the area had nothing but great things to say about him. Rare for someone of his stature. A true legend. Incredibly sad
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) January 26, 2020
Oh my goodness my boys and I just prayed for Kobe and especially his family. Thanks for the amazing memories Kobe! May you Rest In Peace Champ. 😭
— Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) January 26, 2020
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
😭😭Rest easy Kobe 🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/n0Pq7O3lFu
— Torry Holt (@AllHands81) January 26, 2020
Please tell me the kids was not on the helicopter #kobe
— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) January 26, 2020
I am just shook. Heartbroken for Kobe’s family, this is tragic.
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe Bryant and everyone on board. This is devastating. More than anything, I feel awful for the families that are affected. When I was a kid, Kobe was so friendly and took the time to give me an interview (which meant the world to me since I grew up rooting for him). So sad. pic.twitter.com/J84I6iv31L
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 26, 2020
This list of sports and celebrity reactions about the passing of Kobe Bryant will be updated throughout the day as more people find out about the heartbreaking passing of the NBA great.
RIP Kobe Bryant.