Celebrities, athletes, and more mourn death of Kobe Bryant: 'We will never forget you'
Kobe Bryant, the legendary NBA player and Oscar-winning storyteller, died in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, Calif., along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, prompting a wave of tributes from stars of the sports and entertainment worlds, and beyond.
Former teammate Pau Gasol, who won two NBA championships with Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers and also battled him in two Olympic gold medal matches, tweeted, “Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it.”
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who frequently welcomed Bryant on his show, wrote, “He was great, charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever, but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers’ families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe.”
Derek Jeter wrote a moving tribute to Bryant on The Player’s Tribune, writing, “Here was this guy who was beyond gifted as an athlete, who was obsessed with being a champion, who was known as an absolute assassin with a ball in his hands. And in the moments I got to spend with him? He didn’t really talk about any of that. He cared much more about being a husband to Vanessa and a dad to his girls. He loved his family — he was his family. That’s what was important.”
Read more reactions below.
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
Beyond devastated... my big brother... I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2020
He was great,charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever,but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers' families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 26, 2020
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
A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:33pm PST
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
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
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
Devastated.
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) January 26, 2020
💔🖤
— John Wall (@JohnWall) January 26, 2020
A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:02pm PST
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
Kobe was a real life super hero on that court & I’m sure he was one to his family. Sending love and prayers to them. This is heartbreaking.
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) January 26, 2020
We lost a King. 824
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) January 26, 2020
I am completely speechless and devastated at the unexpected passing of my dear friend, @kobebryant. Kobe had a big heart and an even bigger love for the community of Los Angeles. Through his foundation, he changed the lives of so many people and families with his wife, Vanessa. pic.twitter.com/4zs4zcjcfe
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) January 26, 2020
I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) 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
So devastating to hear about #KobeBryant 💔Such an incredible athlete and man. Sending love and prayers to his family.
— Lea Michele (@LeaMichele) January 26, 2020
Kobe is a G. Will always be remembered. @kobebryant Sad day.
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) January 26, 2020
Sending my love to Laker fans everywhere. Life can be so short. Hug your kids and call your parents and let your friends know you love them #kobe
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) January 26, 2020
Oh man. Kobe Bryant. Life is fragile. 💔#ripkobe this sucks.
— Gina Gershon (@RealGinaGershon) January 26, 2020
Now more than ever I feel the constant reminder that we must live every day like it’s our last. Tragedy and loss doesn’t discriminate. It’s unfair and cruel. We love you Kobe, a household name and icon to my family. #ripkobe
— Sarah Jeffery (@sarahjeffery) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) 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 stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020
Gutted to hear about Kobe’s helicopter crash. Just terrible. I’m not a sports fan, but I do know that Kobe was incredibly nice to me, and was like a kid in a candy store at the Oscars when his film won. Love to his family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/i9c4QHXKls
— Lee Unkrich (@leeunkrich) January 26, 2020
I love you Kobe
— Flea (@flea333) January 26, 2020
This is heartbreaking. Rest In Peace Kobe.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) 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
Heart going out to the Bryant family right now. ❤️. RIP @kobebryant
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) January 26, 2020
Life is a blink. RIP Kobe. 💔
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) January 26, 2020
💔 no words. RIP Kobe Bryant. https://t.co/UG5ivkdxnt
— Peter Facinelli (@peterfacinelli) January 26, 2020
Just saw this brother Kobe with his daughter at the Nets game in Bk couple weeks ago. Crowd went wild. Man.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) 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
No words for the shocking and devastating news about Kobe Bryant. Absolutely heartbroken for his family.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) 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
In Memoriam. Kobe Bryant (Aug 23, 1978-Jan 26, 2020) Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/CaKpreZgve
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 26, 2020
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant has been taken from us too early. Rest in peace, Mamba.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) 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
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
A post shared by therock (@therock) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:48pm PST
Jesus this is heartbreaking.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 26, 2020
A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:20pm PST
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
A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:08pm PST
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.
The 🌎 Has Lost a Bright Light ✨🌟✨.— Cher (@cher) January 26, 2020
A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:30pm PST
Being a fan of yours brought so much joy to my life, like so many. Love forever. Sending strength and my deepest condolences to the sweet Bryant family. Can’t believe it 💔 https://t.co/Z7O7oE04oc
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) January 26, 2020
A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:38pm PST
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
I was there at what turned out to be Kobe’s last time at Staples. Everybody went crazy when he came out. I was impressed with how close he was with his daughter. This is just really really terrible. RIP MAMBA https://t.co/g12jhM5x8I
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) January 26, 2020
When I first came to America ... it was Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers that made me fall in love with basketball. Kobe’s amazing talent, professionalism and love of the game was palpable. I’m so deeply saddened by this tragedy and send my love and prayers to all the families.
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) January 27, 2020
PLEASE @NBA RETIRED 24! LEAGUE WIDE!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) 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
Love is forever. pic.twitter.com/AtPuLwqtKf
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 26, 2020
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