Kobe Bryant, the 41-year-old legendary basketball star who spent 20 years with the Lakers, died Sunday morning when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas.
Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in California aged 41. The NBA legend was travelling with four people in his private helicopter when it crashed in Calabasas, 40 miles north-west of Los Angeles, on Sunday morning.
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, nicknamed Gigi, was also onboard the private helicopter when it went down on Sunday, reps for the former basketball player told TMZ Sports. Five people are reported to have died in the accident.
A call for a downed helicopter went out at 10.01 am, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Firefighters attended the scene and put out the flames.
“Unfortunately there were no survivors,” Tony Imbrenda, the Los Angeles County Fire captain, told reporters. Imbrenda could not confirm who was on board or who the helicopter belonged to, but it is reportedly Bryant’s aircraft.
Kobe has famously used a helicopter to travel for years -- dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.
Bryant is considered one of greatest basketball players of all time. He became a legend at Los Angeles Lakers, spending his entire 20-year career with the team, becoming a five-time NBA champion and twice being named finals MVP.
Bryant's legacy extends beyond his time on the basketball court. He was also known to the business world as a brand-builder; an investor; and a coach to other athletes and company founders.
NBA communications
Football world pay tribute to Kobe:
Messi: "I have no words... All my love for Kobe's family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet him and share good times together. He was a genius like few others."
Rosado1976
1456
I learned at a young age from my folks that when you get off the phone with a family or friend you always finish the conversation saying "I love you". When you leave from having dinner with them you say "I love you". Every morning when I leave for work I always go back upstairs and I always kiss my girl on her head and whisper in her ear whether she ever hears me or not and I always tell her I love her. You never know when we can be taken away from our loved ones. Hearing about Kobe is sad, but makes you understand that telling your loved ones how you feel about them is always key cause you just never know. I'm not the sappy type but I wanted to say that. My family knows I love them with all my heart l, I hope my friends know that too even if I dont get to tell you daily I really do. Sorry about the sappy message but it just makes you think.
JohnWick7
1237
Another death Of an Athletic...God Knows Why😢, Rest in Perfect Peace Dear Friends and Family Miss you alot😭
CR7HARDWORK
768
Oh My God....Another tragic news. I was hoping 2020 would be a better year... I loved Kobe since I was 10... He was a legend.. RIP Kobe, I wil never forget you Forever In Our Hearts❤❤
DLP546
577
I’m very sad about this but at the same time we should celebrate his life and the impact he had on basketball and the world
bahebr000
560
thanks allfootball for putting this here. I know this is football app but kobe is an enpiration to everyone, doesn't matter what sport you prefer 😢😢
Seynta
486
YOLO. You only lives one. Love, care, hug, give peace, Speak nice, visit your family, care you neighbours, take care your visitors, Smile all the time... cause you only lives one time...
fasbempsy
458
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 REST IN PEACE LEGEND
Dwise
436
RIP to Kobe Bryant, an NBA(basketball) legend who died on 26th Jan. in a Helicopter crash with his 13 years old daughter.. RiP to other passengers that died too😭😭😓
KevinWilliams21
427
R.I.P. legend 😞😞😞and to ur lovely daughter she was following in your foot steps just so sorry very shock when i heard the breaking new you and your daughter is forever a legend in our all hearts
Nesikrt
419
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Rip
Fimabdeloy
333
RIP Idol, legend, superstar, maverick, genius, GOAT!!!!! Love you man! Thanks for bringing joy to us sports fan. U will be thoroughly missed by all. Privilege to have seen you play!
Dwise
332
1st, It was Emiliano Sala January last year.. Now it's NBA guy Kobe Bryant in the same January this year. Rest in Peace legend .. I hope January won't officially become a #BLACK JANUARY for sports 😭... Such a Legend and Mentor for some
Amanda-
176
My Heart is broken. RIP Kobe and Daughter
weabcdmoty
164
Some time death did what displease us but God knows why and the little daughter just 13 years old such painful and ugly incident. very sad, may their souls rest in peace Amen.
Nusbciko
8
Hey I wrote about this earlier, what a shock,he was a true NBA Icon, Champion, his face away was the best there ever was. His wife losing him and his daughter, I just cant bare thinking of there pain, so many memories of him in University, LA Lakers, Gold medals for the USANT. GOD BLESS HIM, AND REST IN PEACE.😢 I shared this in M.Neuer article saying we are back. not 1 like???
no one was interested or replyed to it.that what I meant.
Nusbciko
8
Hey I wrote about this earlier, what a shock,he was a true NBA Icon, Champion, his face away was the best there ever was. His wife losing him and his daughter, I just cant bare thinking of there pain, so many memories of him in University, LA Lakers, Gold medals for the USANT. GOD BLESS HIM, AND REST IN PEACE.😢 I shared this in M.Neuer article saying we are back. not 1 like???
*fade away not face sorry