Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died today in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.
He was 41.
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also with him when the helicopter crashed.
LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters that nine people were on board the aircraft—the pilot plus eight people.
The helicopter went down in the hills of Calabasas and a fire broke out.
The crash occurred around 10 a.m. and the fire made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to the city of Calabasas.
Nobody on the ground was hurt.
News of Bryant’s death sent a massive wave of shock throughout those in the sports world:
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
…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
LeBron James in tears as he exits the Los Angeles Lakers team plane following the news of Kobe Bryant’s death. James passed Kobe for 3rd on the all-time scoring list yesterday. pic.twitter.com/4gUYmRjUqI
— 12 SPORTS (@12SportsAZ) 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
Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
Madison Square Garden honors Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/h9MEWngUIa
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 26, 2020
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) 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
Uhhhh. Noooo…life is too precious. RIP Kobe 🙏🏼
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) January 26, 2020
We all mourn the death of @kobebryant. My heart goes out to his family. May he rest in peace. 🙏
— Tony Allen (@aa000G9) January 26, 2020
Michael Jordan releases a statement on Kobe 🖤 pic.twitter.com/2TZhrI0KtK
— Overtime (@overtime) January 26, 2020
Pelicans pay tribute to Kobe Bryant before tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/aD3P46S5qo
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) January 26, 2020
NBA commissioner Adam Silver statement on sudden death of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/5sHiu1sHEo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2020
Gran gesto de Neymar ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XhtLdMe8Ti
— FC Barcelona 🇪🇸 (@FCBarcelona_GO) January 26, 2020
Tiger Woods shared his thoughts on the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/jnCOzh1WBW
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) January 26, 2020
RIP to one of the greatest to ever pick up a basketball and step on the court. Some people grew up with Larry, Wilt, or Jordan. I grew up watching Kobe. It’s not just a sad day for basketball or sports. He did life right. Now, he’s a king remembered in time. #Mamba4Ever
— Pete Alonso (@Pete_Alonso20) January 26, 2020
NFL statement on Kobe Bryant’s tragic death: pic.twitter.com/seompwYl0j
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 26, 2020
At a loss for words, RIP to a legend. Can’t believe this. #Kobe
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) January 26, 2020
Man not Kobe… Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020
Statement from longtime sponsor @Nike on Kobe: pic.twitter.com/OjZbRFVpfd
— Jess Golden (@JGolden5) January 26, 2020
An emotional Doc Rivers addresses the “devastating” loss of Kobe Bryant: “There’s so many lives he touched” https://t.co/68kDLtNW6t pic.twitter.com/7sdRqTp6Yr
— CBS News (@CBSNews) 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
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
We are devastated by the tragic news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna have died in a helicopter accident.
Our thoughts are with the Bryant family and all those affected today. pic.twitter.com/MO5NuR1F5o
— MLB (@MLB) 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
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
MSG has been lit up in Lakers colors.
(via @nolte) pic.twitter.com/n66RJQ04vC
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) 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
