SEC football community reacts to death of sports icon Kobe Bryant
Sports fans and athletes everywhere are still processing the shocking death of Kobe Bryant. TMZ’s latest report states that Bryant and three other passengers, including 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore, were heading to the Mamba Academy for basketball practice when the deadly crash occurred. All four passengers died in the crash. Bryant was 41.
One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and led the Los Angeles Lakers to 5 NBA titles (with Bryant winning NBA Finals MVP twice). Admiration for Bryant extended well beyond the basketball court.
Many prominent SEC alumni were among those reacting to the news of Bryant dying in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
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
Just got back into Dallas and heard the news about Kobe. My heart just dropped and I feel empty.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/cmshaw14/status/1221534425730764801
Not Kobe man.. please don’t be true
— Kash Daniel (@KashDaniel15) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant.. this is unbelievable
— Justin Madubuike (@MadubuikeJustin) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/Chadkelly_6/status/1221536409334571009
Wow! Just seen the news!
— Laquon Treadwell (@SuccessfulQuon) January 26, 2020
No words
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 26, 2020
NOOOOOOOOO pls let this not be true!!! https://t.co/Zlz8Xxgcpn
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) January 26, 2020
Man this so crazy! RIP Kobe Bryant.
— OJ Howard 80 ™ (@TheRealOjHoward) January 26, 2020
Speechless this can’t be real
— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) January 26, 2020
No words man… A Legend gone way too soon! This feels like a bad dream! #RIPMamba
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/Flyguy2stackz/status/1221522020552314880
Speechless https://t.co/NzZeg55Jwc
— Quart'e Sapp (@Dedicated_2Work) January 26, 2020
R.I.P Kobe.. this is devastating💔
— Christian Kirk (@ckirk) January 26, 2020
Man… I’m just absolutely stunned and heartbroken. Just devastating news. #RIPKobe https://t.co/LcxWJHWVWU
— Greg McElroy (@GregMcElroy) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheWorldof_AJ/status/1221524489831206912
Man my body so numb. Life wayyyyyy to short. Cherish every minute, hour, day with your loved ones. RIP KOBE
— Shaun Dion Hamilton (@iam_sdh20) January 26, 2020
Had the pleasure of listening to Kobe speak a year ago. He talked about striving to be just as good of a husband and father as he was a basketball player. This one hurts. Praying for the Bryants and all the families effected. #RIPMamba
— Jordan Matthews (@jmattjmattjmatt) January 26, 2020
Real life got me in tears man ! May the Mamba Mentality live on.
— Trayveon Williams (@TrayveonW) January 26, 2020
Kobe was so real and open about who he was and what drove him every second of every day. He inspired millions of people including myself. Gone way too soon. RIP Kobe
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/DhaSickest/status/1221531845008949248
RIP Kobe. I’m at a loss for words and my stomach hurts hearing the news. Loved watching Kobe and his impact on the game will always be remembered. Tell your loved ones you love them today. #mamba
— Hunter Henry (@Hunter_Henry84) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/GlennDorsey72/status/1221532713313681408
It’s official I’m never riding in a helicopter. RIPKobe
I thought the same thing. Heartbreaking
Flying in a helicopter is extremely safe, just like flying in a plane. More than likely it was pilot error or a catastrophic malfunction that caused it to crash. But even if a helicopter’s engine stops running it can still land safely by using auto-rotation.
I’m with UGADAWG. I don’t know the stats, but it seems like there are more helicopter wrecks compared to the number of flights. I actually know someone that went down on a Hawaii tour. He survived but his wife didn’t.
Weagle99- The odds of you being in a helicopter crash are EXTREMELY low! You are a thousand times more likely to die in a car crash or getting stabbed to death.
I have flown in all kinds of military and civilian helicopters and never once had any issue. I have seen one helicopter crash up close and all 4 people where just fine. The helicopter pilot made an error and powered down to early which caused the helicopter to make a hard landing in the water.
They’re even lower if you’re never on one. You’re comparison between flying and driving is extremely flawed. Those studies that make that argument are based on mileage. If you compare hours spent, the risk is about the same (1 death per 5.5 million hours vs 1 death per 6 million hours). And that’s not taking into account the ability to mitigate risks while driving (such as wearing a seat belt, not drinking, avoiding dangerous highways, etc…). There’s nothing a passenger can do to mitigate the risks with flying.
*your
Very sad…IMO, commercial flights are 100 fold safer than chartered planes/helicopters. FAA paperwork for commercial flights are strict. If the overhead ben doesn’t close you have to fill paper work out and have it repaired before you’re allowed to take off.
This is so heartbreaking. But, as a former helicopter pilot (Vietnam), I had much rather take my chances there than in a fixed wing aircraft that experiences engine failure. Just be safe. Life always takes twists and turns that are beyond explanation.
Lost in the discussion: The mother of three small children who was an assistant basketball coach leaves her husband to raise them and explain to them why mama is never coming home again; The husband college coach, wife and child who leave behind two orphans at home and two others on board as well. Every life if important to someone. God bless their families, I pray they can find relief and comfort somewhere.
*if=is
Horrible.
Just numbing. Prayers for his wife and other daughters.
Sounds like fog / impaired visibility was an issue.
Rip Kobe.. Can’t believe this legend is gone what a great player. My condolences go out to his family and his friends. Rest Easy Fly High..
Prayers for family. Never watched him play but respect his legacy.