The sports world was shaken by the sudden passing of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who was among five people killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California. It immediately took attention away from the 2020 Pro Bowl, with some players getting the news in the minutes between warmups and the all-star game’s kickoff.
Drew Brees reacted to the news during an appearance on the sidelines with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, saying, “You know, I had a chance to meet him one time. He was a guy who I always hoped I’d have a chance to be around more. I had so much respect for him as a competitor. I know he inspired so many people in so many different ways. I mean, one of the great competitors of any generation, not just with sports but with the way he approached a lot of things and now what he was doing after basketball. So, I pray for him. I pray for his family. I know we don’t know all the details yet, but it’s a tragic loss.”
Bryant’s impact on sports is impossible to understate — several generations of fans grew up trying to emulate his “Mamba mentality” style of play, including Saints players like wide receiver Michael Thomas.
"He inspired so many people,"
Drew Brees on Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/OYnKAAyS0S
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 26, 2020
Damn not Kobe 😢
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 26, 2020
Not Kobe no not @kobebryant 😢🤦🏽♂️
— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) January 26, 2020
Not KOBE!
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) January 26, 2020
I can’t even put the words together for this….not Kobe
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) January 26, 2020
How you think I feel and game just starting https://t.co/5Rr7oNAZfC
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) January 26, 2020
Rip to the 🐐!! #Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/eZgn7IjNic
— Pj Williams (@PjWilliams_26) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace @kobebryant the legend forever 😢
— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) January 26, 2020
No man, nooooo!!!! Stop playing, this can’t be real😢
— Demario Davis #56 (@demario__davis) January 26, 2020