Whether a basketball fan or not, there is hardly anyone on the planet that doesn’t know the name Kobe Bryant as synonymous with the burning desire for excellence in sports.
Known as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Bryant spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning numerous championships and breaking several NBA records.
The 41-year-old Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among those that died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Sunday. They are survived by his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianca, and newborn daughter Capri.
Being the successful athlete that he was, Bryant had a lasting effect on numerous others, including several UFC stars and other professionals, many of whom have been quick to express their sadness at the passing of him and his daughter.
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More reaction on Kobe Bryant’s death from Conor McGregor who was attending the Grammy awards last night. (via @FoxNews) pic.twitter.com/uG2XBmAIEg
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 27, 2020
RIP ? pic.twitter.com/2WltryiF2W
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 26, 2020
RIP, I’m gonna miss you champ ? #mamba #5xchamp #lakers #father #husband #entrepreneur pic.twitter.com/PfzeRqqf2x
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 26, 2020
RIP @kobebryant a tragic loss of life. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Bryant family. So very sorry pic.twitter.com/Cv3TDRDcdz
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) 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
Rip pic.twitter.com/tO1GicrqS7
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) January 26, 2020
Terribly sad ?
RIP to a legend who meant so much to so many. You will be remembered forever as the champion you are.? pic.twitter.com/xRVuSf157X— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 26, 2020
RIP Mamba ? https://t.co/pmHZIhVAPi
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) January 26, 2020
No way. So sad ?? https://t.co/xZNIXCg4c1
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) January 26, 2020
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
Thankyou for inspiring us and teaching the mindset on how to be great, still working hard and practicing your talk about being “first one in the gym and last one out “ ❤️ Thankyou for being such a inspiration!
RestEasy?GOAT @kobebryant @ufc pic.twitter.com/sBzpvE0icw— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) January 27, 2020
?❤️ @kobebryant the world will miss you but your legacy will live on forever through the changes you helped create in communities. @Lakers pic.twitter.com/Y66be8huFe
— Grand Slam Champ Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) January 27, 2020
He gave his knowledge, time, and talent to tutor so many at the youth level, collegiate level, & NBA & WNBA players. Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball. I know basketball fans all over the world will miss him, especially the City of Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/ZoB3Uwbvzk
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Like many fans around the world I didn’t get the chance to actually meet Kobe. But when things got difficult for me, choosing to work harder in the dark, choosing to try to be better today than yesterday, choosing Mamba mentality, https://t.co/HRXe1VTIrK
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 27, 2020
those are the things my team and I talked about most and actually adopted. He had every damn scoring record you could want but I’m most grateful to him for those assists to my life.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 27, 2020