Kobe Bryant dies: Reaction from around the NBA, sports world

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Sunday, January 26, 2020

Kobe Bryant was among nine people to die in a helicopter crash Sunday in California. The NBA great was 41.

Bryant’s premature death shook the sports world, and many athletes, coaches, media and fans expressed their grief on social media. Amid the shock, everyone from NFL champion Tom Brady and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow to Wizards guard John Wall and Capitals star Alex Ovechkin shared their thoughts about losing the icon.

💔🖤
— John Wall (@JohnWall) January 26, 2020

I’m so heartbroken. cant believe…Blessed to have chance to meet you. RIP Legend. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/TlpRZdVpu7
— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) January 26, 2020

We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020

Some of My fondest memories of sports growing up were watching Kobe take over games with my dad. Modeled my mentality after him. Thanks for that Kobe. https://t.co/yRbe7mjYCH
— Joey Burrow (@Joe_Burrow10) 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

I can’t even put the words together for this….not Kobe
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) January 26, 2020

Never really looked up to anyone besides #24 … not because your fadeaway or dunks but the way you believed in yourself inspired so many of us … Rip this one really hurts.
— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) 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

This one hurt! RIP legend ! Thank you for your legacy 🙏🏽 #kobe
— jarrett culver (@jarrettc08) January 26, 2020

Unbelievable news, Rest In Peace @kobebryant.
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) 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

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