The death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant shocked the sporting world. And several Dallas Cowboys took to social media to express their shock and sadness.
On Sunday, the sporting world learned some very somber news. At the age of 41, former NBA star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Angeles on Sunday that ended up costing the lives of nine people. One of them included Bryant’s own daughter, Gianna.
The tragic news caused many to express their shock and offer their condolences on social media. And that includes several members of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise he’d spend his entire 20-year career with. Drafted 13th overall in the 1996 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Kobe was famously traded to the Lakers and ended up becoming an 18-time All-Star and a two-time gold medal winner in the Olympics.
Touted as the next Michael Jordan, Bryant was able to forge his own identity and was arguably the greatest player of his generation. Similar to Jordan, Kobe’s reach far exceeded the basketball world, permeating through the culture and having a heavily influence on all that would come after him.
Retiring after the 2015–16 season, Bryant would go on to win both an Oscar and a Sports Emmy for the short film Dear Basketball. The film was based on a poem he wrote to announce his retirement.
The news of Bryant’s death spread quickly with many reaching out to social media in order to express their sadness and condolences. Below we’ve compiled some of the Cowboys players reactions to the tragic news.
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
I squeezed both my sons & wife extra tight tonight. I hate that it takes events like today to remind us to SHOW & TELL our loved ones how much we love them... don’t wait until it’s too late.
— Randall Cobb (@rcobb18) January 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/thejaylonsmith/status/1221786819248951298?s=20
https://twitter.com/TankLawrence/status/1221552305108967424?s=20
Today was a very humbling and emotional day. Not really understanding how life works but this definitely showed me to appreciate every single part if it. Rest up Mamba
— Kavon Frazier (@Kay_BlackSimba) January 27, 2020
I cannot comprehend today.
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/AntwaunWoods_/status/1221543226223611905?s=20
This one is just different! Won’t ever be the same, you changed how people view the game and for that you will always be an idol #RIP Kobe #MambaMentality
— Michael Gallup (@michael13gallup) January 26, 2020
I’ll never forget walking through Target, hearing a woman tell her daughter that Kobe Bryant just died. Shocked the hell out of me. I’m still in utter disbelief that we lost one of the greatest athletes of all time...
— Dalton Schultz (@BinghamBaller9) January 26, 2020
R.I.P. Kobe Bryant. A great, a legend, someone to truly idolize. My condolences go out to his family and to the families of those who lost their lives as well.
— Tavon Austin (@Tayaustin01) January 26, 2020
The Dallas Cowboys join the rest of our world of sport in mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and all of the lives lost today. Sending our deepest sympathies to their families and friends. pic.twitter.com/S7xdiPbTSo
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 27, 2020
Our condolences go out to the family of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, and all the others who lost their lives on Sunday. Bryant’s impact went far beyond the basketball court. And his memory will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege to watch him play.