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News of the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday spread quickly throughout the world, including the UCF Knights family.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter from current and former UCF players and coaches, some of whom knew or worked with Bryant:
Men’s Basketball
Head coach Johnny Dawkins:
I’m in shock and extremely saddened about the passing of one of the most inspiring young men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Kobe was one of the best competitors I ever met and he was an unbelievable person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/szybC99Yo7
— Johnny Dawkins (@Coach_Dawkins) January 26, 2020
Former center Tacko Fall:
No way...
— Elhadji T Fall (@tackofall99) January 26, 2020
Former guard Marcus Jordan:
No way, man
— Marcus Jordan (@HEIRMJ) January 26, 2020
Former MBB guard B.J. Taylor:
Don’t want to believe it man This one hurts. What Kobe meant to me growing up can’t be put into words. Just thank you. Prayers for his family and children. Rest easy GiGi and my idol pic.twitter.com/CKyeItyk69
— BJ Taylor (@BJTaylor_1) January 26, 2020
Former guard Mike O’Donnell:
Both greatly feared and respected. Stories of Kobe’s work ethic are extraordinary. Hard to come across a DNA of unquestioned toughness like that of Kobe Bryant. RIP. https://t.co/bALRrd0spF
— Mike O'Donnell (@MOD4three) January 27, 2020
Former forward Chad Brown:
Wow this hurts man.. R.I.P to The Goat #MambaForever
— Chad Brown (@chadthebeast_21) January 26, 2020
Senior guard Dazon Ingram:
this can’t be real man
— Dazon Ingram™ (@DazonIngram12) January 26, 2020
Freshman guard Tony Johnson Jr.:
RIP KOB
— Tony Johnson Jr. (@TonyJohnson_0) January 26, 2020
Senior guard Matt Milon:
Can’t believe it RIP mamba
— Matt Milon (@MattMilon) January 26, 2020
Former guard Drew Speraw:
There are no words that are right #RIPMamba
— Drew Speraw (@DrewSperaw) January 26, 2020
Former head coach Donnie Jones:
We are All Saddened by The News .. R.I.P. #Mamba Thanks for Memories. #Legend #AllTimeGreats #NBA pic.twitter.com/0w4NVvMsAp
— Donnie Jones (@DonnieJones) January 26, 2020
Former guard Isaiah Sykes:
Damn man my fav player ever prayers to his family https://t.co/lNR1qnMBDD
— ZEEK (@IsaiahSykes_3) January 26, 2020
Former center Ben Stout:
1/3 Like so many others, this news has affected me deeply today. Kobe might’ve committed his entire life to the game of basketball more than anyone who has ever walked this planet, and you kind of felt like he was just getting started w/ his contributions to this great game...
— Ben Stout (@BigSocial32) January 26, 2020
2/3 His competitiveness was something that was arguably rivaled by only one other individual ever. But you also saw glimpses of how he was as a father, which was also to be admired in every way. The loss of his daughter Gianna and her teammate makes this tragedy that much worse.
— Ben Stout (@BigSocial32) January 26, 2020
3/3 I will certainly hug my wife and kids a little tighter tonight. Life is short and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring... Rest In Peace to Kobe, Gianna and the 3 other souls lost their lives today so tragically. May God be with you and your families. ❤️
— Ben Stout (@BigSocial32) January 26, 2020
Former guard Adonys Henriquez:
Thank you for everything King. pic.twitter.com/x8S2IbIzsd
— Adonys Henriquez (@_0doubt) January 26, 2020
Former forward Kasey Wilson:
Can’t stop thinking about this Kobe tragedy. So sad.
— Kasey Wilson (@k_wil32ucf) January 27, 2020
Women’s Basketball
Guard Kay Kay Wright:
No way Kobe not dead
— B A S K E T B A L L (@x3_iHoop) January 26, 2020
Forward Masseny Kaba:
I don’t believe it
— Masseny Kaba (@masseny_) January 26, 2020
Forward Jnaya Walker:
I’m finna cry can’t be true
— ✨NAE✨ (@walker2415) January 26, 2020
Former forward Tolu Omokore:
NOOOOO WAYYYYY
— Tolu (@lulubayy) January 26, 2020
Former guard Sydnee McDonald:
My heart dropped
— Sydd (@darealsydd) January 26, 2020
Football
Former tight end Michael Colubiale:
Kobe was the ultimate competitor. His work ethic, commitment to the game, attention to every little detail was second to none. I aspired to be everything he was growing up. Even wore 24 because of him. This one hurts. #RIP to the greatest.
— Michael Colubiale (@michael_colub) January 26, 2020
Former tight end Anthony Robertson:
Hurt about Kobe... this is a prime reason as to why we should cherish life, enjoy every moment/every breath, and show consistent love to all those around us. You never know when you or a loved one might close the book of life so why not live life to the fullest #MambaMentality
— Arob™ (@AntRoberson1) January 27, 2020
Former center Jordan Johnson:
Rest In Peace to my favorite basketball player ever, Kobe Bryant. Condolences to all of his family and friends and everyone else involved in the crash.
— Kelton Jordan Johnson Ⓥ (@3rdJohnsonboy) January 26, 2020
Former wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker:
I’m usually numb to death but I’m really fighting back tears right now......
— MIKE SIMS-WALKER (@MikeSimsWalker) January 26, 2020
Quarterback Darriel Mack Jr.:
no way bruh
— Darriel Mack Jr ™ (@DJMactastic1) January 26, 2020
this is the biggest celebrity death ever...
— Darriel Mack Jr ™ (@DJMactastic1) January 26, 2020
Former defensive end Leger Douzable:
One of the greatest competitors that any sport has ever seen. Test easy King. I still cant believe this one. Life is short, never take anything for granted https://t.co/8zTN8FEU1U
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) January 26, 2020
Defensive tackle Noah Hancock:
Thank you for the memories
— N. (@noahh43) January 26, 2020
Rest in Power Kobe #Mamba pic.twitter.com/MJRQvjTMZm
Defensive end Chris DeLoach:
Mamba pic.twitter.com/iGgckxPuPc
— Christopher Deloach (@Chris_Deloach85) January 26, 2020
Cornerback Brandon Moore:
Bra wtf... https://t.co/MBaaK7cvtv
— Bam (@Brandonm21Moore) January 26, 2020
Cornerback Tay Gowan:
Bruh wtf !!!!!!! NOT KOBE !! REAL LIFE TEARS
— Tay Gowan (@focused_4) January 26, 2020
Cornerback Emmanuel Appiah:
Broooo what man nooo I wanna cry rn!! https://t.co/WYPgPfUKXN
— Emmanuel Appiah (@Apemmanuel) January 26, 2020
KOBE YOU LIKE SUPERMAN TO ME!!! WEARING THAT #8 IN HIGH SCHOOL MEANT MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER TO ME!! #MambaMentality
— Emmanuel Appiah (@Apemmanuel) January 26, 2020
Safety Jermaine McMillian:
Woahh Rip Kobe !
— XXVI (@Jermaine26_) January 26, 2020
Former linebacker Terrance Plummer
Not Bean bruh not Bean
— Terrance Plummer II (@KnightBred_41) January 26, 2020
Linebacker Eriq Gilyard:
RIP Mamba https://t.co/dWuHAHj78M
— Eriq Gilyard (@eriqgilyard1) January 26, 2020
Former linebacker Shawn Burgess-Becker:
I really didn’t watch basketball but I knew and understood how much Kobe Bryant meant to the game. May god bless him and his little girl soul. #RestInPeaceKobe
— Shawn Burgess (@_SBB2) January 27, 2020
Former cornerback Josh Robinson:
— Josh Robinson (@JROB_2one) January 26, 2020
Former linebacker Josh Linam:
My heart hurts. I idolized you as a kid. You were still my hero as an adult. You are the example of hard work, dedication and mental toughness that I try to imitate and convey to my players daily. I know you’d want… https://t.co/bkgSiQv1V0
— Josh Linam ‼️ (@CoachLinam) January 26, 2020
Defensive lineman Joshua Celiscar:
Rest in power to the greatest of all time still can’t believe it #LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/CArnYIix75
— Joshua Celiscar (@CeliscarJoshua) January 26, 2020
Former punter Mac Loudermilk:
Not the Mamba..
— Mac Loudermilk (@macmilk15) January 26, 2020
Former defensive lineman Dedrion Bacote-Sweat:
Put Kobe Bryant on the NBA logo it’s only right.
— Dedrion Sweat (@Beachboybam) January 27, 2020
Former offensive lineman John Oliver:
Legit had to turn the #ProBowl2020 off because the network just wants to break news about Kobe Bryant. I totally get it. He was more than a basketball player, he was an icon. Such an incredibly sad situation. Heartbroken for his family. #RIPMAMBA
— John Oliver (@JohnOliver71) January 26, 2020
Co-offensive coordinator Alex Golesh:
Incredible piece on Kobe.
— Alex Golesh (@CoachGolesh) January 27, 2020
Don’t forget to tell those you love the most you love them. https://t.co/w2hC6Hk2AC
Former tight ends coach Jon Cooper:
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Kobe fan, a basketball fan, or even a sports fan at all. We will all miss Kobe Bryant and the greatness he brought to this world. Many leave a legacy, only he can leave a mentality. RIP. #MambaMentality
— Jon Cooper (@Jcoop50) January 26, 2020
We’ll try to keep this updated.