News that this NBA season would be the final one for Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was received online by sports fans like finding out their parents were finally getting rid of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan that was responsible for carting them to elementary school soccer practices and high school first dates.

It wasn’t a big surprise, and it had to be done, but that didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye to something that was a part of so many wonderful memories.

Bryant announced his retirement at the end of the 2015-16 season Sunday through an open letter—headlined “Dear Basketball”—written in verse on The Players Tribune website. Like that rundown mid-’90s minivan, Bryant had been showing his age lately, not playing like a 17-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion and even benching himself for his poor performance.

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Lakers fans, obviously, took the news hardest. Bryant has spent his entire pro basketball career with LA, wearing gold and purple since stepping on the court Nov. 3, 1996, as an 18-year-old rookie drafted from high school. In fact, the Black Mamba’s career is how some of the team’s fans frame the passage of time, and that includes Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak:

How Kobe's retirement hits home with Mitch Kupchak: Mitch's son was born the night of Kobe's 1st game; now he's a 20-yr-old college freshman — J.A. Adande (@jadande) November 30, 2015

Anyone who felt an association to Bryant, the Lakers, basketball, and sports in general went online to express how they felt about No. 24 (or is it No. 8?) hanging up his Nikes. Fan and Reddit user BluntMFer created a post in the Lakers community titled “Dear Kobe Bryant” for other admirers to deliver their own open letters to the superstar.

Unavoidably, Twitter and other forums began to resemble a funeral receiving line hours after Bryant’s open letter was posted online. A steady flow of tweets, updates, and postings streamed across social media platforms and websites, with people from different walks of life paying their respects:

NBA Players and Officials

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding @kobebryant’s announcement today pic.twitter.com/fenWAw4qSH — NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2015

We have lived incredible moments together on and off the court. Thanks for everything brother! @kobebryant #ThankYouKobe — Pau Gasol (@paugasol) November 30, 2015

Kobe is really about to retire?? Oh man, it feels so weird, almost unreal.

He started playing in the @NBA , I was 4 years old…#TrueLegend — Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) November 30, 2015

KB scored 56 on me in 3(!) qtrs my rookie year. Pushed me to be better more than any player I've faced. He has my ultimate hoops respect. — Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) November 30, 2015

Hope @kobebryant receives an standing ovation in every city! One of the best to ever do… https://t.co/n0lXuGvfkY — Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) November 30, 2015

The game won't be the same once Kobe is gone… — Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) November 30, 2015

Other Athletes and Celebrities

One of the TRUE KINGS of the game. You are one the greatest to ever do it, my friend. #Kobe #BlackMamba #VinoClub https://t.co/Gn7DAB2src — Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 30, 2015

😩😩😩 @georgelopez … we knew it was coming some day. What a competitor. What a ride! 🏀 That darn father time. pic.twitter.com/Zd7McaLAWY — Arsenio Hall (@ArsenioHall) November 30, 2015

Shout to @kobebryant on his illustrious career in the NBA! One of the greatest of all time… — EG| Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) November 30, 2015

Got chills reading this.. Know he's past his time but man, what a legend #kobe https://t.co/sdUHgQMpFr — Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) November 30, 2015

I was honored to have you as a teammate #TeamUSA 🏀🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/H9jjd8Q4Am — Lolo Jones (@lolojones) November 30, 2015

THE KOBE NO JABRONI — The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) November 30, 2015

Fans Everywhere

Anytime I shoot a paper towel or piece of paper in the trash I'm still gon yell "Kobe" #KobeBryant #Kobe — JP (@MyHomieP) November 30, 2015

Kinda half way crying about the mamba retiring. YOU WERE MY MICHAEL JORDAN. #kobe @kobebryant — Ed$on J (@edsonjsalazar) November 30, 2015

Utmost respect to the legend #Kobe announcing his retirement. I think I can say for every sports fan, it's been an honour to watch him. — lC (@livconss) November 30, 2015

Everybody knows how great jordan is but you must be crazy sit here and act like i didnt watch kobe for 20yrs #kobe pic.twitter.com/sHjITKnz5d — Parrish Mitchell (@pmidnight16) November 30, 2015

We knew it was his time but our child hood won't let reality set in. #kobe — Trizz (@Tr1zz) November 30, 2015

And yes, even among all the well-wishes and praise, there were still a few people, such as user Lets_Go_Jacks in the Kings community, who made sure to let everyone know they weren’t letting Bryant’s retirement change their feelings about the player.