Social media tributes to Kobe Bryant on the one-year anniversary of his death
One year ago today, the world stopped as news circulated of a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles that killed Lakers great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others.
Sports commentators cried on live television. Fans and mourners descended upon Staples Center. NBA teams took 24-second shot-clock violations in honor of his number.
In the year since, a pandemic arrived, protests started over racial injustice and a new president was inaugurated. But even amid so much change, people are taking time to remember the lives lost on a hillside in Calabasas.
Family is Forever 🖤 pic.twitter.com/PH6R4sCrve
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2021
Thank you God for allowing me enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor & teacher of the game to many men & women of all ages, best friend to Rob Pelinka, & brother to @jeaniebuss. pic.twitter.com/PgWY3wDzu6
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
Laker Nation we will always remember the brilliance, the legend, and the mamba mentality of #8/#24 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/vnXNOYZ3Jy
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
I miss you, hermano... pic.twitter.com/Wd2MdT1JZ0
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2021
Mamba and Mambacita forever 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/cDlgJwbE2Y
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) January 26, 2021
Forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/73gefEqq2b
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 26, 2021
One year ago today, news of Kobe Bryant's passing shocked NFL players at the Pro Bowl. pic.twitter.com/VHxejyn17G
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 26, 2021
We all miss you Kobe pic.twitter.com/JId1kict8K
— Ice Cube (@icecube) January 26, 2021
I can’t believe it’s been one year since we experienced the tragic loss of my brother, my friend, Kobe Bryant. It still doesn’t feel real.
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) January 26, 2021
Kobe was so much more than just a basketball player and he was destined for even more greatness. pic.twitter.com/l3ulx1mmaF
The last time I saw Kobe Bryant, it was the happiest I had ever seen him. pic.twitter.com/UwqJscUsCo
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2021
Can’t believe it’s been a year since we lost #KobeBryant. Celebrating his life today, and feeling grateful to have known him. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/GAUXTNlx54
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) January 26, 2021
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) January 26, 2021
Rest in peace Kobe and Gigi. Gone but never forgotten. pic.twitter.com/6qymhuELS5
One year ago we lost a friend and a brother. Appreciate Kobe and who he was as a man and a person. He pushed entire @lakers team to be the best version the team could be. pic.twitter.com/KT7kAgKopH
— Mark Madsen (@madsen_mark) January 26, 2021
#MambaForever pic.twitter.com/KifDqNdyJ3
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 26, 2021
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2021
Mission accomplished.
Rest In Peace Kobe. pic.twitter.com/7TR1ladjGU
It’s been a year and it still feels unreal. I send my prayers and thoughts to the family and loved ones of Kobe Bryant. RIP to one of the greatest competitors the world has ever known. His legacy of hard work, skill, and dedication will live on forever. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/iomaDOKrC9
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) January 26, 2021
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) January 26, 2021
"Legends Never Die."
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) January 26, 2021
Thank you, Kobe, for inspiring all of us in one way or another. The Mamba Mentality lives on. pic.twitter.com/QYeJCqU6Cf
Missed and loved. Heart goes out to Vanessa and family today 💔💔🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/7TOKESaxTm
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 26, 2021
I posted this a year ago. Reposting today because I don’t know what else to say. I miss my friend.
— O M (@oliviamunn) January 26, 2021
Kobe étoile💫 Gigi étoile💫 pic.twitter.com/BrpdH7WwdP
8 minutes and 24 seconds of our Kobe memories#MambaForever 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/P96zqyBoAT
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 26, 2021
Remembering Kobe and Gianna one year later 🖤 Number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick.
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 26, 2021
Our thoughts are with the Bryant family today and always. pic.twitter.com/bHWg4vayRF
Kobe Bryant will forever be the reason why baseball players think they're also basketball players. Thank you for the legacy you left behind, Kobe. You are missed! pic.twitter.com/6bYuGkm8kK
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) January 26, 2021
I'm going to remember Kobe dropping 81 on Toronto. I'm going to remember Kobe dropping 60 in his last game. I'm going to remember Kobe dropping 62 in 3 quarters against the Mavs. I'm going to remember the virtuoso performances when you needed Kobe the most pic.twitter.com/iNeDOVWftI
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 26, 2021
One year later. It’s still crazy. Rest In Peace to the great Kobe Bryant, his daughter GiGi and the seven other lives lost that day. I’ll never forget our interaction together in 2016. pic.twitter.com/mgpARRhxSs
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 26, 2021
#MambaForever pic.twitter.com/FCjWwvADrb
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 26, 2021
Gibby with the Mamba on his mind. Today is the anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of Kobe, Gigi and seven others. pic.twitter.com/fV1yew8Ki6
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) January 26, 2021
Today marks one year since we lost the heart of Los Angeles.
— Los Angeles Gladiators (@LAGladiators) January 26, 2021
Rest in Peace Kobe and Gianna Bryant. We are forever grateful for the impact you have had on our city.
💜💛 #MambaForever
Remembering Kobe and Gigi on this day. I can’t believe it’s already been a year since we lost them so suddenly. Sending prayers to the other families that also lost loved ones that tragic day. #MambaForever #MambaMentality
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) January 26, 2021
🕊️ Kobe Bryant, you will be forever missed 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/Igcc9cTsrD
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 26, 2021
We miss you Kobe and Gigi 🙏🏽
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) January 26, 2021
Kobe forever 💛💜
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 26, 2021
(via @saquon) pic.twitter.com/YS7qS45Se5
Head coach @SteveNash reflects on the loss of Kobe Bryant one year later:
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 26, 2021
"The tragedy of Kobe passing is that he was an incredible father and was just starting to embark on that chapter of his life." pic.twitter.com/IUzKk8VEcl
Hard to believe it's been a year. We miss you Kobe. Your impact and legacy live on forever. pic.twitter.com/pe3u1x4idA
— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) January 26, 2021
Remembering Kobe & Gianna Bryant and all those who tragically lost their lives one year ago today. pic.twitter.com/jH8PyVUvPH
— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2021
In Loving Memory of Kobe Bryant: Javale McGee
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 26, 2021
Speaking on the legacy of Kobe Bryant, @JaValeMcGee breaks down how important Kobe Bryant was not just to the game of basketball but to the City of Los Angeles. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/YrBOxZq8XR
Kobe’s reaction to Puig’s homer was legendary. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XRE7OHDfay
— MLB (@MLB) January 26, 2021
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Emmanuel Morgan is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to joining The Times in October 2019, his work appeared in the Charlotte Observer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Morgan is a graduate of Elon University and a native of Charlotte, N.C.