Has there been a death in the sports world as impactful as Kobe’s

Lou Gehrig, dead at 37

Here's a few more

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/nation-world/10-sports-legends-who-died-too-soon/63-b8725d63-7d9e-48fd-a419-351bee4647ff

Muhammad Ali isn't on the list. Rush job possibly or RACIST. LoL

Who knows? Twitter has only been around less than 15 years.

No. But that's because social media has presented a unique platform unavailable to previous generations. Not just for the mourning, but for the ability of Kobe's life and message to reach so many in the first place.

If there had been social media back then, I'm sure Clemente or even Munson would've inspired a similar response.

Dale Earnhardt. No magical "social media" necessary.

Lou Gehrig, like TimMC said. Top player cut down by a fatal disease. Died even younger than Koby. A lot of people still call it Gehrig's disease in this country.

Roberto Clemente was pretty tragic. He was still playing, though getting near the end of his career. Hall of Fame career. Died while doing a humanitarian flight to bring aid to his home country after it was hit by an earthquake. Government officials kept stealing the stuff from previous flights, which is why he was flying with the latest shipment. He wanted to make sure it got to the people.

Roberto Clemente.

Edit-Jacob beat me to it!

Dont think so.