Celebrities and sports stars alike continue to flock to social media and pay tribute to Kobe Bryant.
As we reported, the 41-year-old NBA star and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the nine passengers who were killed in a horrific helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday. As of early Monday morning, all of the victims of the tragedy have been identified and new details about the possible cause of the accident itself have slowly started to come out. The investigation is still ongoing.
Related: Kobe Bryant Fan Shares Heartfelt Exchange While Mourning The Late NBA Star
Bryant, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers his entire professional career, was considered to be one of the greatest in the game of basketball. In the wake of his death, heartfelt tributes appear to be pouring in by the minute.
A longtime fan of the purple-and-gold, Jack Nicholson, gave a rare interview to CBS LA sharing his reaction to the sad news. Despite staying out of the public eye in recent years, the 82-year-old actor never gave up his passion for Kobe’s team and was known as a courtside mainstay. Speaking to the outlet, he said:
“My reaction is the same as almost all of L.A., where we think everything’s solid, there’s a big hole in the wall. I was used to seeing and talking to Kobe…it kills you. It’s just a terrible event.”
After sharing a few fun stories about following Bryant throughout his storied career, Nicholson added:
“I remember the totality of how great a player he was. We’ll think of him all the time and we’ll miss him.”
Well said.
Here’s how his former teammates, other celebrities, politicians, and sports stars are reacting to the legendary athlete’s untimely passing:
Former President and avid sports fan Barack Obama offered his thoughts on the tragedy writing:
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
Fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan described Kobe as a “fierce competitor” but also “a little brother to me” in an official statement issued (below):
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020
Justin Bieber shared an old photo of him and Bryant and expressed disbelief over the tragedy:
“It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!”
Kanye West chimed in to share condolences for his “brother,” too, adding alongside an old photo of them:
“Kobe, We love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
Pau Gasol also played alongside Bryant on the Lakers from 2008 until 2014 and shared:
“Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it.”
Retired pro-baller and former President of Basketball Operations of the Lakers, Earvin Magic Johnson, shared beautiful pics of Kobe and GiGi together and noted:
“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.”
Jennifer Lopez shared her thoughts and offered kind words to Bryant’s surviving family members in her Instagram post about it all:
Ugh. So, so incredibly sad.
But there’s more where those came from…
Will Smith, apparently, couldn’t find the right words and instead uploaded this throwback photo, captionless:
John Legend tweeted this somber message live from the Staples Center while attending the Grammys on Sunday night with his wife Chrissy Teigen:
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
And shortly after taking the awards show stage herself, Demi Lovato paid her respects and wrote:
“This makes me so sad. Kobe you were always so sweet to me. Known you over 10 years.. not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse! You will he so missed by so many. You’re a legend with wings now. RIP Kobe ??? *update* I just heard his daughter Gigi was also in the accident and it breaks my heart. This whole family was so sweet and now they’re in my prayers heavy. RIP Gigi beautiful girl. ???”
NFL quarterback for the New England Patriots and legend in his own right, Tom Brady, said:
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️????????????????
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Steve Nash, who entered the league in the same draft class as Kobe in 1996, shared:
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
Kim Kardashian West sympathized with Kobe’s wife Vanessa in her message, writing:
“My heart is so heavy. No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through. This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it. I am praying for the Bryant family, the Altobelli family and the families of all who perished in this unthinkable tragedy. Rest In Peace Legend”
The often jovial Ellen DeGeneres joined in and tweeted her sincere condolences:
“Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family”
Finally, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflected on Bryant’s long-lasting influence in his emotional video post (below):
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
RIP to Kobe, Gianna, and all of the lives lost.
[Image via Instagram.]
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