SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Jess Lockwood was still at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel in downtown Sacramento on Sunday morning before the start of the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic when he did a double take scrolling through social media.
Like many others, Lockwood first learned of the tragic passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 41, via social media. He quickly asked fellow bull rider Colten Jesse and Cody Webster.
The group was stunned to read that the 18-time NBA All-Star, who won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. According to the Associated Press, and other media outlets, Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also was killed in the crash that took place roughly 400 miles south of Sacramento.
Lockwood explained later in the day inside the Golden 1 Center – an arena that Bryant himself played in during his luxurious career – that Bryant was his favorite basketball player growing up.
The reigning two-time PBR World Champion still recalls watching the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals rivalries in 2008 and 2010 while attending basketball camps in junior high school.
“He was kind of like the J.B. Mauney of the NBA,” Lockwood said. “He always went for the win and would take the big shots. He was always had a no give a shit, go big or go home mentality. He was the kind of guy that would pick Bushwacker. Heartbreak Kid. Bruiser.”
More reaction from around the PBR:
Matt Triplett: “I would always watch his motivational videos and I loved his work ethic. That is something he thrived on. He worked just as hard during practice as he did in the game. That is what made him such a great player. He put the work ethic in and that is why I looked up to him my whole life. You can never forget, he scored 81 points in a game, multiple MVPS. Even on a sick day, he would go out and give it 110%. His effort was there every single time.
He was not only a great guy inside the arena, but a great guy outside of it. He always helped kids and the community. I thought it was fake news when I saw it. It is crazy. I feel so sorry for his family.”
Ezekiel Mitchell: “I am a fan of great athletes, and he falls in there as one of the best of all time. He was a cocky guy, and I kind of dug it in a way. For a guy to do that much in his career, it is sad and humbling to know we are all still human. My heart goes out to his family and his friends worldwide.
Cody Jesus: “He was somebody I wanted to be growing up. The confidence he had in himself, he really carried that with him. I really kind of upped my level as a basketball player and that has always stuck with me. I wanted to do everything just like him and be in the NBA. He made me believe I could make a team and shoot 3’s. Make all my free throws. To see the news is really heartbreaking.”
Chad Berger: “I am a huge Lakers fan. That was my team. They used to be the Minneapolis Lakers. When I was a kid growing up, it was Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. Magic Johnson was my all-time favorite player, and he still is. Kobe had a will to win. When him and Shaq were there together, if things looked tough, Kobe would take over. He took the game and made sure they won. He is one of the best of all time.”
Jose Vitor Leme: "It is very sad news for us in the sport, he was really an incredible athlete, a legend. it is certainly a big loss for all fans."
Cody Lambert: “It is tragic and it is shocking and surprising. To think about it, it is hard to think about it. LeBron (James) just broke his record last night. It is a reminder that we don’t know how long we have on Earth.”
Mason Taylor: “He kind of knew he was the best before he was the best and just believed it. I played Select Basketball for three years until I was 14. I tried to model my game after Kobe and Michael Jordan. I wanted to have the same attitude as them. Kobe never let nothing bother him. He knew the fundamentals of basketball and he didn’t do anything but that. He was the best at.”
Colten Jesse: “How could you not be a Kobe fan? One of the greatest of all time. Anybody was at the pinnacle of their game or sport, I have an interest in. He is a guy to look up to and I don’t know, this is completely crazy.”
Joao Ricardo Vieira: “It is so sad. He was with his daughter. She is only 13 years old. This is so sad. This is life, and things like this happen.”
The PBR held a moment of silence for Bryant, as well as for Chase Bishop, a 19-year-old, from Stephenville, Texas, who passed away on Friday in Stephenville, Texas, in a bull riding accident, Sunday afternoon prior to the start of the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko