Just over a half hour before Super Bowl LIV's scheduled 3:30 p.m. PT kickoff, the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others who tragically died one week ago in a helicopter crash.
Both teams lined up on their respective 24-yard line to honor the former Los Angeles Lakers star as there was a moment of silence at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
San Francisco's star cornerback Richard Sherman arrived to Sunday's Big Game in one of Bryant's All-Star Game jerseys. Sherman, a Compton native, said Monday that Bryant "was a friend of mine" and "a mentor."
The All-Pro further paid tribute Bryant on FOX Sports' pre-game broadcast ahead of the Super Bowl. Sherman read a poem called "Dear Football," inspired by Bryant's Oscar-winning "Dear Basketball."
Sherman isn't the only 49er to pay tribute to Kobe on the brightest stage, too. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders wore Bryant-inspired cleats during pregame festivities.
[RELATED: 49ers-Chiefs predictions: Will SF win its sixth Lombardi?]
There's no doubt Super Bowl LIV is full of players, coaches and more who have been inspired by Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" and have had Kobe on their minds this week.