Kobe Bryant, Super Bowl 54. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant touched the lives of all athletes and sports fans. Here are the tributes paid to the late Los Angeles Lakers legend at Super Bowl 54.
It’s only been a week since Kobe Bryant and eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were taken from us far too early in a tragic plane crash in Calabasas, California. Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history and his impact transcended beyond sports. People loved the player and the Mamba mentality he stood for. In short, he was about the work.
During Super Bowl 54, there were many tributes to the Black Mamba during the pre-game. San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman arrived at Hard Rock Stadium in an All-Star jersey wearing Bryant’s No. 8. Sherman is a native of Compton, California who grew up idolizing Bryant when he starred for the nearby Los Angeles Lakers.
Shortly before the national anthem, two teams playing in Super Bowl, San Francisco and the Kansas City Chiefs, agreed to line up at their respective 24-yard lines in unison to take a moment of silence for all those who were lost in the horrible tragedy last week.
It was a touching moment for sure and one where they also honored the late Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman, who tragically passed away on Jan. 28 at the age of 58 from glioblastoma. Doleman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, having spent three seasons with the 49ers from 1996 to 1998.
Doleman was one of the greats in NFL history, so recognizing him at the Super Bowl doesn’t come as surprise. For as impactful as Bryant was worldwide, it comes as no surprise either he was paid tribute to at Super Bowl 54. With as many people who watch the Super Bowl annually, this was one of the coolest moments to honor Bryant’s legacy and pay tribute to all the lives that were lost.