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Penn State Athletes React To Kobe Bryant’s Passing

The sports world was stunned on Sunday afternoon when NBA legend Kobe Bryant died at the age of 41 when his helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. He and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the nine people who passed away in the crash.

Penn State men’s volleyball’s home match against USC was the first sporting event played in Happy Valley after Bryant’s passing. The team held a moment of silence in Rec Hall prior to first serve.

Penn State men’s basketball head coach Pat Chambers no longer has a Twitter account, but he’ll speak to the media at a regularly-scheduled press conference at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Monday, January 27. Women’s basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger shared a message with the Bryant family along with Penn State football’s official team account.

In addition to those tributes, Penn State athletes and lettermen from across the country — including Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley, and Lamar Stevens — reacted to the story on Twitter as it was developing on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/Micah_Parsons11/status/1221527361335844869
https://twitter.com/Micah_Parsons11/status/1221528423987929090

Miles Sanders was one of many Philadelphia Eagles who reacted to the news on Twitter. Bryant’s love for the Birds was well-documented throughout his life — including when Philadelphia captured its first Super Bowl in 2018.

Bryant was known as a fierce competitor and all-time great NBA player. His legacy is unbelievably moving to so many, which is why those ranging from Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons to Brazilian soccer icon Neymar, NHL star Alex Ovechkin, golf legend Tiger Woods, and thousands outside Staples Center in Los Angeles were so quick to share their reactions to the news and condolences to Bryant’s family.

And although this clip was posted about six months ago now, Saquon Barkley’s letter to Bryant is a poignant, important tribute to a fallen legend.

Onward State would also like to offer its thoughts and prayers to Kobe Bryant’s family, friends, and anybody else who was impacted by Sunday’s tragedy.

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About the Author

Mikey Mandarino

In the most upsetting turn of events, Mikey graduated from Penn State with a digital & print journalism degree in the spring of 2020. He covered Penn State football and served as an editor for Onward State from 2018 until his graduation. Mikey is from Bedminster, New Jersey, so naturally, he spends lots of time yelling about all the best things his home state has to offer. Mikey also loves to play golf, but he sucks at it because golf is really hard. If you, for some reason, feel compelled to see what Mikey has to say on the internet, follow him on Twitter @Mikey_Mandarino. You can also get in touch with Mikey via his big-boy email address: michael.p.mandarino@gmail.com

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