Los angeles lakers kobe bryant reacts d 2
Photo Credit: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant Tributes Pour in on One-Year Anniversary of His Death
Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and many more honor Kobe Bryant on the first anniversary of his death.
Tuesday January 26th 2020 marked one year since the fatal helicopter accident in Calabasas, California that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and seven members of their Mamba Sports Academy team. The event was one of the last moments of communal grieving before the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the memory still fresh on the minds of many, Bryant's friends, fellow athletes and entertainers alike flooded social media with heartfelt tributes.
Across the sports world, former teammates and members of organizations of each and every sports league paused for a moment of appreciation. Take a look at some of the heartfelt words below.
Magic Johnson
\u201cOn this day, one year later, we want to remember not only Kobe but Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, and Ara Zobayan.\u201d— Earvin Magic Johnson (@Earvin Magic Johnson) 1611669175
Laker great and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson honored the Bryants and the members of their Mamba League team.
Ice Cube
Legendary Los Angeles MC Ice Cube shared a shot of them from 2002, at the Lakers' third championship victory parade of Kobe's career.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop's tribute post rewinds to his gift to the Laker legend after his 2016 retirement: a 1966 Pontiac Parisienne painted purple and gold. Snoop also performed a special tribute summarizing Kobe's career for ESPN.
Dwyane Wade
Wade shares a heartwarming clip from Kobe's farewell tour: a post-game press conference where Kobe jokingly reminded Wade of an unfortunate truth: that he'd be (one of) the oldest stars in the league after that season.
Common
Common shared a lengthy tribute on Twitter, but kept things short and sweet with a heartfelt illustration on Instagram.
Janet Jackson
\u201c\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc9c\u201d— Janet Jackson (@Janet Jackson) 1611685404
2 Chainz
2 Chainz shared an old snapshot of his fellow Virgo and daughter Gianna.
Pau Gasol
\u201cI miss you, hermano...\u201d— Pau Gasol (@Pau Gasol) 1611688202
Former Laker teammate and godfather to Bryant's kids, Gasol shared a tearjerking tribute on Twitter. "You spirit, your drive, your ambition, your love," he wrote, "continue to shine in my life and in many others."
Vanessa Bryant
On the eve of the anniversary, Vanessa Bryant shared a letter from one of Gianna's best friends.
Michael B. Jordan
The Creed star reflected on the lessons he's taken from the past year on Instagram.
Viola Davis
\u201cMissed and loved. Heart goes out to Vanessa and family today \ud83d\udc94\ud83d\udc94\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udfff\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udfff\u201d— Viola Davis (@Viola Davis) 1611679365
"Missed and loved," Davis tweeted. "Heart goes out to Vanessa and family today."
Kyrie Irving
With the Brooklyn Nets on an off day, Kobe protege Kyrie Irving wore a shirt honoring Bryant to the team's practice on Tuesday.
Dr. Dre
