Jazz, NBA Players, Public Figures React To News Of Kobe Bryant’s Death
Jan 26, 2020, 1:57 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2020, 1:17 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Current and former athletes players, coaches, and other public figures including members of the Utah Jazz shared their feelings on social media after hearing the news of legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant’s death.
Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash in California on the morning of Sunday, January 26.
The former Los Angeles Lakers guard and five-time NBA champion was 41 years old.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/P88GwIwmYV
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2020
Jazzmen On Kobe’s Passing
I am at a loss for words..Kobe and Gianna you will never be forgotten. What a blessing to see your impact you have had in this world, Kobe. Prayers for the Bryant family. Rest In Peace, little brother and Gigi.. pic.twitter.com/x6EkJaARDD
— Karl Malone (@TheDeliverer_32) January 26, 2020
Enjoy every single day people, we are always too worried about things that are actually not that important. Life is precious and you never now when it’s gonna end.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) January 26, 2020
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Make sure you cherish your people everyday and tell em you love them 🙏🏾
— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) January 26, 2020
Man no!
— Mike Conley (@MCONLEY10) January 26, 2020
Been trying all day to come up with words on today's tragedy. There are none adequate to describe what the world lost today. To the families of Kobe, Gigi and others lost today…Our hearts are full of love and prayers for you.
— Thurl Bailey (@bigTbailey) January 27, 2020
It’s not even about basketball at this moment, May God be with your family 🙏🏾 thank you for all the words. #RIP #kobe #8 #24 pic.twitter.com/j9zmjaoQP5
— Emmanuel Mudiay (@emmanuelmudiay) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant was a legend,a leader and a name synonymous with basketball on and off the court. We should be grateful for life. Prayers
— Ron Boone (@1041straight) January 27, 2020
Kobe Bryant. Thank You. pic.twitter.com/xVCAgdVCe3
— Johnnie Bryant (@jbryant3) January 26, 2020
NBA Community On Kobe
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020
Statement from Phil Jackson: “The crash was a tragedy for multiple families. My heart goes out to Vanessa and the families that lost loved ones.Kobe was a chosen one-special in many ways to many people.Our relationship as coach/player transcended the norm.He went beyond the veil"
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) 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
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
As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/X2vF0M0a1u
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) 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
He gave his knowledge, time, and talent to tutor so many at the youth level, collegiate level, & NBA & WNBA players. Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball. I know basketball fans all over the world will miss him, especially the City of Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/ZoB3Uwbvzk
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
He was such an icon but also did so much for LA. He was passionate about serving the homeless and was an advocate for women's basketball. Coaching his daughter’s basketball team brought him so much happiness.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) 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
“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.”
Brian Shaw reacts to the reported passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/WjAwmIHQle
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
Kobe has to be the new NBA logo…..
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 27, 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
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020
My deepest sympathy and prayers to the families including the Bryant family! You all will be missed ! We are all heartbroken
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) January 26, 2020
Sadly absorbing the tragic news about my teammates loss of his Son and granddaughter. Joe and Pam I humbly offer my condolences. Vanessa so sorry for your loss and pray you remain strong and focused on you and Kobe’s dreams for your family. Here Always for you…
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
Warmest thoughts and prayers with Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianka, & Capri. Deepest condolences. Kobe treated me like a brother. He demanded the best. He taught how to overcome anything no matter the adversity. Your legacy lives 4ever. I love you dear friend. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/EHFUg1705f
— Mark Madsen (@madsen_mark) January 26, 2020
My heart is broken for Kobe and his family. I’ll never forget the battles but what I really admired was the father he was to his girls. Rest In Peace old friend with your angel Gianna 💔
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) January 26, 2020
You will be missed brother. My thoughts are with the Bryant family at this difficult time. RIP Kobe. pic.twitter.com/WV58jRJ5FZ
— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) January 26, 2020
Doc Rivers remembers Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/q6LcIA4ghT
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 26, 2020
Statement from Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/xzseGDLaLm
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 26, 2020
The Clippers mourn Kobe Bryant, an icon in this city and this sport, who inspired teammates and opponents with his drive and determination. Kobe left an indelible mark on the world. His family, friends, fans and the Laker organization are in our prayers. We will miss him.
— Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) January 26, 2020
Damn. RIP Mamba. May your memory be a blessing
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
🙏🏽🤦🏽♂️ RIP to a legend smh
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) 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
you wit me tonight my guy 🥺
24 🐍 x 12 😴 @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/LIQf827bjI— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 26, 2020
Wow.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) 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
Rip to a legend man… #Mamba
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) January 26, 2020
Please God no…
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) January 26, 2020
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
Na man I’m not believing Bean is gone……no way
— Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) January 26, 2020
Devastated to hear the news about @kobebryant. He was the best to ever do it. Praying for the Bryant family during this difficult time. Your legacy will live forever, you inspired and transformed a lot of us 😢😥😔 pic.twitter.com/8r0faP9hX2
— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo) January 26, 2020
R.I.P Legend 😔
Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) January 26, 2020
Please don’t tell me this is true . Not Kobe
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) January 26, 2020
Please no. Please god no. It can’t be true.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) 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
I’m heartbroken by this news, you were a true legend, and friend. Rest In Peace @kobebryant, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids. #legend #mamba #goat pic.twitter.com/1VKYdbrVEk
— Tony Parker (@tonyparker) 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
I had the honor to shake Kobe’s hand before my first ever NBA game. The man was a legend and that is a moment I will never forget. Prayers to his family and friends. Life is fragile. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/yl1UgyrWZc
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard) January 26, 2020
RIP to the legend…you inspired millions on and off the court. Thank you for your life and influence. “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do”-… https://t.co/pAhb2BRQzx
— Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) January 26, 2020
Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2020
So sick rn… you inspired me to work as hard as I do. I use to watch you before all my highschool and college games man this one hurt me fr 😓😓 Love you Bean R.I.P. #8/24forever pic.twitter.com/niaKOWt3d7
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) January 26, 2020
Speechless on this plane ride home! A sad day bruh! RIP Kobe Bean Bryant! Prayers go to his family and loved ones 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 This doesn’t even feel real man..
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 26, 2020
Can't believe it, don't want to believe it! This is unreal! I cried when I saw the news!
Thank you @kobebryant for everything you did for basketball and for who you were as a person. I'm gonna miss you!
One of the saddest days…this one hurts a lot. pic.twitter.com/95zAuxqWUz— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) January 26, 2020
Peace and power to the Bryant family, and basketball lovers around the world. R.I.P @kobebryant 😢 #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/yn3Bgo0VAu
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) January 26, 2020
Damn! I’m crushed. My heart and prayers go out to his family. This hurts
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) January 26, 2020
NFL Community On Kobe
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
"He inspired so many people,"
Drew Brees on Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/OYnKAAyS0S
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 26, 2020
A legend gone too soon.
With heavy hearts we send our condolences to the Bryant Family after the tragic loss of Kobe & Gianna. Prayers for all the families who lost a loved one 🙏 #RIPMamba pic.twitter.com/i8U5936UuC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 26, 2020
Never Take Life For Granted
R.I.P. Legend pic.twitter.com/dads2XUIDJ— Douglas Baldwin Jr 🧢 (@DougBaldwinJr) January 26, 2020
RIP GOAT REST EASY🙏🏾BLESSINGS FROM THE SAND 🤟🏾#GOAT
— Jamaal Williams (@jswaggdaddy) January 26, 2020
A legend is gone too soon. RIP Kobe. #mamba
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) January 26, 2020
Can’t be true.
Just can’t be.
Truly truly horrific.Rest In Peace Kobe.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2020
Incredibly sad news about @kobebryant Prayers and condolences to his family. #RIPMamba 🙏 ❤️
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) 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
Just don’t have the words…. #Kobe
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 26, 2020
NO NO NO NO KOBE!!!!!!! PLEASE BE A DREAM. KOBE CAN’T BE GONE😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 26, 2020
Other Sports Organizations, Players, and Public Figures
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
I’m feeling numb – words can’t describe the impact Kobe has had on the world, LA, and the Lakers – not to mention the influence he had in my life as someone I grew up idolizing. I loved him – and send my condolences to all the families who lost someone today. RIP
— Joey Buss (@Jbuss) January 26, 2020
Janet and I have no words to describe our shock and sadness on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant today. Praying for him and his family. 🙏
— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) January 26, 2020
Shocked and in complete disbelief… A father, husband, legend, and idol gone way too soon. Thank you for the time, the lessons, and 20 years of greatness. #ripmamba🐍 pic.twitter.com/oqAtpaMlz8
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) January 26, 2020
My heart hurts so much right now. I still can't wrap my head around this. How can it be?
I learned so much from Kobe Bryant. He was naturally gifted, but had a passion for basketball like no one else I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/72OX3Z8Sv9
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) January 27, 2020
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
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
We have no words to express how shocked we are to hear of the tragic passing of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and Rossonero fan, Kobe Bryant. All our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident. You will forever be missed, Kobe 🙏❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/FOd365chEL
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 26, 2020
My heart hurts for Kobe and his family. Life aint fair man. This cant be
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) January 26, 2020
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
My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe! My heart broken ❤️
— Gucci Mane (@gucci1017) January 26, 2020
Devastated. @kobebryant was always so great with me. His support of women’s sports & those of us that cover them was unwavering. The last thing he said to me was, “If you ever need anything, I got you.” So grateful for his gracious spirit. Heart is breaking for his family pic.twitter.com/py2AEeH2z7
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 26, 2020
In NYC, at our upfronts, Kobe was backstage and all he wanted to talk about was coaching his daughter’s team. Such pure joy. I keep thinking of that video of he and his daughter at the Lakers game. Those girls….his family. My goodness, man.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 26, 2020
My heart is heavy and saddened by this tragic news. Hard to find words. When you retired from the @NBA I lost a huge part of my life. I cherish the memories you gave to me that inspired me to be great. My deepest condolences and prayers to those closest to him and others affected pic.twitter.com/L3p4iBWgRX
— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) January 27, 2020
