I think Dale might exceed it, since he was still actively the face of that sport and still an active participant.

 

Roberto Clemente is another who springs to mind in terms of shocking.

 

Also Payne Stewart comes to mind as well.

This has to be the biggest, sudden death of a superstar athlete of his caliber ever, right? Dale Earnhardt is the only one close to it.

 

It’s not even close. Earnhardt isn’t in the same universe IMO.

I’ll never arbitrarily hate on another athlete in my life.

 

I loved giving a few friends a hard time about the Kobe/LeBron debate, but I never anticipated I would be this affected by him.

 

Feels like part of my childhood died today.

I’ll never arbitrarily hate on another athlete in my life.

 

I loved giving a few friends a hard time about the Kobe/LeBron debate, but I never anticipated I would be this affected by him.

 

Feels like part of my childhood died today.

Right there with you. As much as I jab at LeBron, I’m happy he is in LA at this time. Dude is an ambassador and a fitting face and voice to lead the league through this tragedy, while being in Kobe’s house.

This is so sad! He was such a great basketball icon and ambassador to the game. So tragic. He will be missed in so many ways.

It’s not even close. Earnhardt isn’t in the same universe IMO.

 

NASCAR died with Earnhardt on the track. Basketball will go on but there will forever be a void.

Earnhardt’s fame and influence on ALL sports doesn’t come close to Kobe’s. It’s not debatable. Kobe Bryant is a pop culture icon. Earnhardt was a NASCAR icon.

Earnhardt’s fame and influence on ALL sports doesn’t come close to Kobe’s. It’s not debatable. Kobe Bryant is a pop culture icon. Earnhardt was a NASCAR icon.

 

Nobody is arguing that, just saying the sport died with him. Kobe was huge outside of the sport and that will be missed.

Can’t help but notice the fog in those hills. As someone with aviation interest, fog is the worst for helicopters. Too early, to tell what happened though.

Thurman Munson from the Yankees, killed in a plane crash was huge news back in '79.

Now reports are this is not true, but the decision is up in the air.

 

Considering we’re talking about the guy who tore his Achilles, then stepped up to the line to knock down his free throws, I think playing is, symbolically anyway, the right thing to do.

 

That said, there’s a lot of guys in the league who looked up to him as a mentor or big brother and will have a difficult time preparing themselves. And that’s to say nothing of his family. Tough call to make.

Considering we’re talking about the guy who tore his Achilles, then stepped up to the line to knock down his free throws, I think playing is, symbolically anyway, the right thing to do.

 

That said, there’s a lot of guys in the league who looked up to him as a mentor or big brother and will have a difficult time preparing themselves. And that’s to say nothing of his family. Tough call to make.

My parents just arrived to the Grizzlies/Suns game. Would be interesting to be at a game today.

Very sad news. Prayers for Kobe, his daughter and the rest that perished. Prayers for friends and family of all those on board.

The press briefing just said there was 9 souls on board. That’s even worse. So sad.

Sheriff is saying, 9 bodies?