The sports world reacts to the death of Kobe Bryant
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
In the hours after the news of Kobe Bryant’s death, tributes began pouring in on social media.
Here’s what past and present members of the Boston Celtics had to say:
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020
I’m heart broken. Totally heart broken.
— Cedric Maxwell (@cedricmaxwell81) January 26, 2020
Everyone in #Boston is draped in purple & gold today for #Kobe.
Prayers To the Bryant family, the #Lakers family and the entire #NBA community.
God bless. #RIPMAMBA #RIPKobeBryant #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/raC0UcuIu0
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
Speechless....😔😔😔😔🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 26, 2020
To that other player and parent that haven’t been confirm yet. We are praying for your family too. Your not forgotten... may God be with your family in this time...
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheBallRealm/status/1221549835666579461
Tributes came in from around the NBA, including the a moment of silence at the Raptors and Spurs game, and both teams running out the shot clock to start:
Jan 26, 2020; San Antonio, Texas, USA; A tribute is shown on the video board during a moment of silence acknowledging Kobe Bryant before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Raptors and Spurs dribble out the 24. pic.twitter.com/Qaz4Q7ux33
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) 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😢😭
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Rest Easy Gigi❤️ pic.twitter.com/IfDrE9Gjlv
💔🖤
— John Wall (@JohnWall) January 26, 2020
More then just basketball man he has 4 daughters... life is crazy. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) January 26, 2020
RIP KOBE 😥😥😥 I can’t believe this is true. I’m at a loss for words 😥
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal. The two won three NBA Championships together:
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
More responses from athletes in other sports:
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
"He inspired so many people,"
— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) January 26, 2020
Drew Brees on Kobe Bryant
(via @Saints)pic.twitter.com/3W6Ow0xqmO
Jan 26, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; A moment of silence is observed in the memory of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) during the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
What are some people’s favorite Kobe moments... please share.... 1 of mine has to be Kobe hitting 2 free throws on a torn Achilles to tie the game!! Can’t Imagine the pain he had shootin but he made it look so easy. He inspired generations Pure greatness! #MambaMentality #rip
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) January 26, 2020
My heart and prayers go out to the Bryant family and the passengers’ families on this sad day.
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) January 26, 2020
The impact Kobe had on the world cannot be expressed in words. RIP to a legend and a friend... 🙏🏼
My heart is heavy with the news of Kobe Bryant. Prayers go out to his family right now through this unthinkable time.
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/CollinJustin1/status/1221545993340178434
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
rest in peace Kobe 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YtlMAVJHIJ
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 26, 2020
