The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) shared a message on Twitter, honoring Kobe Bryant and offering condolences to those who survived him. The Lakers legend had donated $1 million to the museum.
The sudden and tragic death of Bryant has sent shock waves through the U.S., and the world, as multiple news outlets reported on Sunday that he was killed in a helicopter crash, along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others in Calabasas, California.
The NMAAHC is among hundreds of entities that has paid tribute to the late NBA star. The museum’s post was set as a pinned tweet.
We mourn the loss of five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant. Our thoughts are with the Bryant family and also the families of the other passengers. pic.twitter.com/1SGPXbndmH
— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) January 26, 2020
The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, founded by Bryant and his wife Vanessa Laine Bryant, contributed to the creation of the museum.
The couple’s foundation is named on the website of the NMAAHC as one of the founding donors for giving the museum at least $1 million before its opening in 2016.
Bryant had promoted the NMAAHC upon its launch via his Twitter account, saying he was “honored to be a part of it.”
Go. See. This. Museum. There is no greater testament to this country than the stories in this building. Honored to be a part of it @NMAAHC pic.twitter.com/HTPneDOWeC
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 24, 2016
The helicopter carrying the 41-year-old and eight others reportedly crashed into a hillside. However, the official cause of the accident is still unclear.
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