The sporting world was plunged into mourning on Sunday as news of Kobe Bryant's death in a helicopter crash spread leaving the rich and famous, presidents, Hall of Famers and ordinary fans stunned. A true global superstar, the depth of Bryant's popularity quickly surfaced as reports were confirmed that the Los Angeles Lakers great had been killed along with his daughter Gianna and seven others when his helicopter crashed in a remote field near the city of Calabasas. As the deaths were confirmed social media exploded in grief while television programming was interrupted to report on the tragedy with video showing smoke billowing from the crash site as first responders put out the flames.