Barack Obama Sends Tribute To Friend And 'Legend' Kobe Bryant After He Dies In Helicopter Crash With Daughter Gianna

Jan 27, 2020 by apost team

Barack Obama tweeted his condolences in a touching tribute to his late friend and basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash yesterday with his daughter Gianna.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the basketball star was traveling on an S-76 helicopter Sunday morning when it crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, as per the Washington Post. 

Bryant was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter Giana “GiGi” Bryant,  another six passengers, and a pilot. There were no survivors.

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"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act," started Barack's tweet, in reference to his second act as a storyteller behind the multimedia company Granity Studios.

The LA Times reports that the company's goal was creating content that married sports, fantasy, and storytelling. Bryant even won an Oscar for his short "Dear Basketball."

Obama is famously a basketball fan and the friendship between him and Kobe has gone back a long time. Nike had even created a special edition sneaker inspired by their relationship and had said:

"Kobe has long looked up to the commander-in-chief, and not just because of his hoops game,” Nike explains, as per The Hill. “This unique collection symbolizes the President’s influence on Kobe with colors inspired by his Honolulu high school.”

Bryant had also joined in on a charity scrimmage game that the president hosted for his 49th birthday. Other basketball greats like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Magic Johnson, had also been there reports ESPN.

Obama also sent "love and prayers" to Kobe's wife Vanessa and all of the Bryant family members on "an unthinkable day." They especially mentioned how heartbreaking it is to lose Gianna as parents themselves.

Rest in peace to the great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. What do you think of the former president's tribute? Let us know and pass on the news to others.