Says former NBA player Rick Fox was also on board with Kobe Bryant
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No, former NBA player Rick Fox was not on board with Kobe Bryant
If Your Time is short
- Misinformation about the identities of the victims of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash has spread online.
- Despite early reports that said he was involved, former NBA player Rick Fox wasn't among those killed in the crash.
- His stepdaughter confirmed that he wasn't on board.
News that legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash shook the basketball community, the country and the world.
But in the wake of tragedy, misinformation about the identity of the victims who lost their lives in the crash has also spread online.
Viral posts, like this one, falsely claim that Rick Fox, a former NBA player and teammate of Bryant’s, was also on board the helicopter and died in the crash.
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Fox was not among those killed in the crash. His stepdaughter, Jillian Hervey, confirmed that he wasn’t on board.
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Jared Greenberg, a reporter for NBATV, also tweeted that he spoke to Fox himself who confirmed he was not involved.
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So far, seven of the nine people killed in the crash have been identified. The group was headed to a girls’ basketball game which Bryant was scheduled to coach. Victims include an assistant coach, parents and players from the club team, including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna; and the pilot of the helicopter.
This claim is False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Jan. 26, 2020
Los Angeles Times, Victims of the Calabasas helicopter crash: Who they were, Jan. 27, 2020
Twitter, Jillian Hervey tweet, Jan. 26, 2020
Twitter, Jared Greenberg tweet, Jan. 26, 2020
People, Rick Fox Not Among Those Killed in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash, Stepdaughter Says, Jan. 26, 2020
Yahoo, Rick Fox Not Among Those Killed in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash, Stepdaughter Says, Jan. 26, 2020
CBS, Rick Fox not a passenger in helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, eight others, Jan. 26, 2020
Fox 61, VERIFY: Fact-checking rumors that spread after Kobe Bryant’s death in helicopter crash, Jan. 26, 2020
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No, former NBA player Rick Fox was not on board with Kobe Bryant
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