America is in mourning after a devastating mid-air collision over Washington, D.C., took the lives of 67 people, including young figure skaters, their families, and coaches. The tragedy struck when an American Airlines flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, leaving no survivors. The loss has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, expressing their heartbreak.

Amid the grief, Magic Johnson took to X to share his condolences. “Cookie and I are praying for the families and friends of the 64 passengers on the American Airlines passenger flight and the 3 aboard the Black Hawk who lost their lives in the devastating plane crash in Washington D.C. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. 🙏🏾,” he wrote.

According to officials, this marks the first major commercial airline disaster in the U.S. since 2009. The aircraft went down in the icy waters of the Potomac River, shattering into multiple pieces upon impact. The ill-fated flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport when tragedy struck. ABC News reported that the collision left authorities scrambling for answers as rescue efforts turned into a grim recovery mission.

Among the heartbreaking losses were members of the Skating Club of Boston. Promising young athletes Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their devoted mothers, and renowned married skating coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were all on board.

And in this darkest of times, the sporting world has come together in solidarity. From heartfelt messages to moments of silence, athletes and fans alike are honoring those who suffered tragic losses.

Like Magic, the sports world mourns a heartbreaking loss

Not surprisingly, Magic Johnson wasn’t the only one shaken by the devastating crash. Former NBA star Matt Barnes also shared his condolences, posting the heartbreaking news on his Instagram story. “Condolences to the families who lost loved ones 🙏🏽,” he wrote.

Similarly, WNBA star Angel Reese took to social media to reflect on the incident. “Leaving your home and coming back safely is such an underrated blessing that most of us take for granted,” she shared in her Instagram story. In another post, she added a photo of the young skaters lost in the crash, paired with weeping and praying emojis.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox also honored those lost, expressing their grief in a heartfelt statement. “Our hearts are with all of those impacted by the unimaginable tragedy of the Flight 5342 collision,” the team shared. “We mourn all the lives lost including those in the Skating Club of Boston family—individuals who inspired, competed, and brought pride to our region.” Their words resonated deeply, especially within the Boston community, where the victims were well-known and loved.

Adding to the outpouring of support, former Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski struggled to hold back her emotions while speaking about the tragedy. “My heart is completely broken for our skating community, their families and loved ones,” she said. “It will not do it justice. It is so widespread throughout our skating community, and we are such a close-knit family.”

These words served as a powerful reminder that this loss extends beyond the immediate families—it has left an entire sport and nation grieving.