It is no longer new that 41-year-old legendary basketball star, Kobe Bryant, his basketball-playing daughter, Gianna and seven other died on Sunday when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Since the news broke several people
across the world in sports, music and other walks of life have flooded the
internet with several messages in tribute to the legendary LA Lakers player and
others who lost their lives to the crash.
Nigerian rapper, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector took to twitter via his handle @VectorThaViper to pen this, “Hearing Kobe died just has to be the craziest news I didn’t see coming this soon. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. You added to the value I saw in myself as a black man in this world where being me is hard. Get my Kobe on Then get my dopey on. Thank you for being an inspiration.”
Also self-styled “Chairman” of the Nigerian rap music, Jude Abaga said via Instagram @mi_abaga, I wasn’t a Kobe fan most of my life…In fact, I hated how he played and rooted for every team they went against until one finals series against the Celtics. I remember watching him play in the third quarter.. with the Celtic fans cheering wildly and all the energy in the room against him.. he quietly put up 19 points. Just focused, determined sheer will. Ignoring all the noise!! Pure unadulterated tangible greatness.. I became a fan that night.. his life will always stand as a monument to greatness and excellence that are rooted in hard work and an unbending will to dominate!!! Rest In Greatness Kobe!!! Forever now a fan!!!
The Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Reverend Sam
Adeyemi, also tweeted on twitter via @sam_adeyemi, “Praying comfort and strength for the
family of NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, and his daughter, Gianna, and for the
families of others that passed with them in the helicopter crash. Praying God’s
protection for us all.”
His wife, Pastor Nike Adeyemi @nikeadeyemi
on Instagram, shared a video praying for the families who lost
loved ones in the helicopter crash with the caption, “Prayers up #kobe#gigibryant +7 #families”
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress, Simisola “Simi” Ogunleye also tweeted via @SympLySimi “Kobe. Omg!”
Super Falcon’s and Barcelona FC’s striker, Asisat Oshoala, @AsisatOshoala
Prayers up for Kobe’s family…devastating
news. #KobeBryant
@kobebryant, a true legend! Our heartfelt condolences are with the friends, families and the world of sports at large in this terribly sad time. Rest in Peace, Kobe Bryant!
Former US president Barack Obama has paid tribute to
Kobe Bryant after the NBA legend and his daughter Gianna were killed in a
helicopter crash on Sunday.
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were two of the nine passengers who died on board the helicopter which crashed outside the city of Calabasas, which is situated to the west of Los Angeles, at around 10 am on Sunday morning.
Bryant had visited Obama at the White House with his LA
Lakers teammates in January 2010 after the team became NBA champions.
Obama posted on Twitter, ‘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.’
Messi posted on Instagram: ‘I have no words… all my love for Kobe’s family and friends. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. ‘You were a genius like few others.’
Ronaldo also posted his tribute following the news: ‘So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. ‘Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. ‘Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend.’
Identified victims on the flight
Hollywood’s elite have also flocked
online in their hundreds to commemorate Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, as
the news of the legendary star’s death broke, Khloe Kardashian was one of the
first struggling to believe the news as she said: ‘This can’t be real. There’s
no way!!! My heart hurts.’
Her mother, Kris Jenner, added:
‘Devastated by the news of losing our precious Kobe Bryant. Words cannot express
our sadness. All my deepest love and prayers are with Vanessa and Kobe’s family
at this time.’
Cher was also sending love to both his family, friends and those who were saddened by the loss, as she wrote: “My heart goes out to Kobe’s Family, Friends, Fans. ‘It’s so hard to deal with the death of a great star because we feel as if we knew them personally. Kobe Bryant was a great athlete, & all of America will feel his loss. The world has lost a bright light”.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences, who host the Oscar, also commemorated the star, who won an Oscar
in 2018 for his animated short for Dear Basketball. ‘They doubted a kid could
make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong,’ they wrote. ‘They doubted he
could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make
movies and he won an Oscar. Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the
doubters wrong. Rest in peace.’
Actress Ayesha Curry, the wife of basketballer Steph Curry, wrote: ‘Dear Lord, please cover Vanessa and her family. Sending infinite prayers. My heart aches for her and the girls. I’ve written and deleted 100 times today. ‘I have no words and they’re never going to come out the way I want them to. Praying for peace and protection over this family and other families involved. Rest In Peace and power, Gigi and Kobe.’
Taylor Swift added: ‘My heart is in
pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the
families are going through. ‘Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my
prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who
lost someone on that flight.’
Naomi Campbell was also among those
devastated by the loss as she wrote: ‘Heartbreaking Waking up this morning to
hear that you and one of your Angels are gone is devastating for us all beyond
any words. My deepest condolences to the beautiful Bryant family. ‘May you Rise
with the highest, and May your soul Rest in Power King.’
Kim Kardashian wrote a lengthy post remembering both Kobe and Gigi and said: ‘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’
Husband Kanye West shared a photo of
him with Kobe in the recording studio, adding: ‘Kobe, We love you brother,
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the
inspiration you gave’
On hearing the news Cheryl wrote:
‘Oh my good God no. How utterly heart shattering. I can’t stop thinking about
his wife and children. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones
at this devastating time.’
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called
Bryant one of the most extraordinary players in NBA history.
“The NBA family is devastated
by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” said NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible
when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.”
NBA legend Michael Jordan recognized
Bryant for his talent and skill, but also praised his competitive streak,
calling him one of the game’s greats.
“I loved Kobe – he was like a
little brother to me,” Jordan said.
The LA Lakers legend was confirmed
dead by the LA County Sheriff’s department – with three others currently being
named. Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, 56, his daughter
Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli were also on board the helicopter.
‘There were no survivors, we have a
manifest that indicates there were nine people on the aircraft – the pilot plus
eight individuals,’ said L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Kobe, 41, was married to wife
Vanessa since 2001, and they had four daughters – Gianna, aka Gigi, and then
Natalia, 17, and Bianka, 3 and Capri, who was born last June.
The cause of the crash is currently
under investigation.
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the LA
Lakers and is widely regarded as one of the most successful basketball players
of all time having won five NBA championships during his 20-year career with LA
Lakers, appeared in 18 All-Star games and scoring 33,643 points before retiring
in 2016.
He was also named NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and
the MVP in two NBA Finals. Bryant also won two gold medals for the USA at the
2008 and 2012 Olympics.
41-year-old legendary basketball star, Kobe Bryant who spent 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed Sunday morning when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas in Los Angeles, California, USA.
National Basketball Association, NBA, Authorities have
confirmed that the basketball legend, his daughter Gianna, her teammate, and four
others were on board the helicopter when it crashed.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva who said nine people were on the copter – a pilot and eight passengers, however, declined to confirm who had died in the crash until all the next of kin have been notified.
The L.A. County coroner’s office said Sunday night that
the recovery effort is expected to take several days because of the condition
of the crash site and its remote location.
Officials have shut down roads leading to the site
because of a throng of visitors trying to get there.
Los Angeles Police Department, LAPD spokesman, Josh Rubenstein said the department’s Air Support Division grounded its helicopters and didn’t fly until later in the afternoon because the foggy weather on Sunday morning was severe.
Mr. Rubenstein explained that “The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying,” “LAPD’s flight minimums are 2 miles of visibility and an 800-foot cloud ceiling”.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration and
National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash with the assistance
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
The investigation will cover maintenance records of the
helicopter, owner-operator information, conditions near the crash site and
other factors that might have been involved in the crash.
The helicopter’s manufacturer, Sikorsky, said in a statement issued on Sunday that it is cooperating with the investigation.
