A few minutes ago, I learned of the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash this morning in Southern California. He was among five people killed in the accident which left no survivors. Bryant was 41.
Even though I'm not a big basketball fan my heart leapt in my throat. My Dad was similarly stunned when I told him the news. "You just never know," he said.
Although Bryant is among the greatest players in NBA history during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he still had his whole life ahead of him until he boarded a helicopter a couple of hours ago. For all of his NBA championship rings, he was a husband and a father to four young daughters and they will now have to find a way to carry on without him in what should have been the prime of his life.
Of course, there are four other people who lost their lives aboard that helicopter today. While we don't yet know their names, they didn't win a NBA MVP or scored 81 points in a game, they too had their lives and now suddenly leave behind families who never dreamed they had gazed upon their loved one for the last time. R.I.P. to all.
UPDATE: The story gets sadder. Bryant's 13-year old daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. Evidently they were on their way to a basketball practice in Thousand Oaks.
UPDATE II: The sadness continues. Alyhough they have not been identified evidently one of Gianna Bryant's teammates and a parent were also killed aboard the ill-fated flight.
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