Retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has perished in a helicopter crash with four other individuals, TMZ reported on Sunday afternoon. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the story as well. NFL players reacted to the stunning news.
The future Hall of Fame shooting guard was just 41 years old. Kobe Bryant was married to Vanessa Laine for nearly nineteen years with four kids, and had just seen current Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James surpass him as the NBA's third all-time leading scorer on Saturday night.
NFL stars such as 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes, preparing for the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV matchup with the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday, shared reactions to the tragic news of Kobe Bryant's passing.
Man not Kobe… Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020
Damn not Kobe 😢
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 26, 2020
The news of Bryant's death caught everyone off guard, with many initially seeing it as either a hoax or definitively unbelievable before multiple media outlets confirmed the Calabasas, California, helicopter crash.
New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell was among those who could not believe Kobe Bryant died.
I can’t believe it…
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) January 26, 2020
Not Kobe
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) January 26, 2020
Many were left speechless after the reported death of the five-time NBA champion, including New York Giants rusher Saquon Barkley, who could only muster “Not Kobe” on his Twitter feed when the news came out.
Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, tweeted “Rest In Peace, Kobe.”
Can’t be true.
Just can’t be.
Truly truly horrific.Rest In Peace Kobe.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2020
The former New England Patriots dynamic duo of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were heartbroken by the news.
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
What a sad day today. @kobebryant you’re a legend. I remember being in the front row of a Celtics-Lakers game & u came by shouting my name. It put a huge smile on my face- such an honor to be recognized from the greatest. You’ll be missed. Sending my love & prayers to your family pic.twitter.com/LLcDv9VKLT
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant congratulated former on-court adversary turned Laker brethren in LeBron James in his most recent, and last, tweet on Saturday evening.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
More details are coming on Bryant's passing. The reactions from NFL players continue to pour in, with stories of how Kobe Bryant made an indelible impact on their athletic careers and their journeys in sports.
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