The death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant loomed over the build-up to the Super Bowl here Monday as players from the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers paid tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers legend, reports AFP.
One day after Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, the build-up to Sunday's NFL championship game in Miami cranked into gear.
Both the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers teams were presented before thousands of journalists and fans in the now circus-like "opening night" event that formally kicks off Super Bowl week.
But the festivities at Marlins Park began on a somber note, with a moment's silence observed as a giant screen displayed a photo of Bryant.
Chants of "Kobe! Kobe!" rang out towards the end of the brief pause before numerous members of the Chiefs roster shared their memories of the five-time NBA champion.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said although he had never met Bryant, he continued to be inspired by his famously ferocious competitive spirit.
"I wasn't lucky enough to meet Kobe but the impact he made in my life was huge," the 24-year-old told reporters.
"The work ethic, that intensity that he had to be great every single day.
"Even to this day, I still watch videos on YouTube the day before games, just listening to him talk, how he puts everything into perspective being great on and off the court."
San Francisco veteran cornerback Richard Sherman -- who grew up in the tough Los Angeles neighborhood of Compton -- said he was left mourning the loss of "a friend and a mentor."
"There's nothing I can say that can really quantify his impact on myself and others," the 31-year-old said. "I just know how he would have wanted me react in this moment and this game.
