Best moments from Super Bowl Opening Night
Super Bowl week is officially upon us.
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers gathered inside Marlins Park in Miami for Super Bowl Opening Night. Here are the highlights from Monday's event:
NFL honors Kobe
Super Bowl Opening Night kicked off by honoring NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash Sunday.
Prior to player interviews, there was a touching moment of silence inside Marlins Park. "Kobe" chants followed shortly after.
Reid impersonators galore
Andy Reid's past didn't come back to haunt him in Miami, but it made an appearance. In honor of the famous video of a 12-year-old Reid launching a football in 1971 next to players half his size, one fan showed up to Opening Night donning his old uniform.
Tyreek shows love to Sherman
49ers cornerback Richard Sherman was on the receiving end of some strong criticism from Darrelle Revis during the NFC championship, but Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill went the other way when addressing his Super Bowl opponent:
"Check this out, get y'all cameras out. Richard Sherman: I respect your game, man. Thank you for locking down all of the receivers you have faced. You are truly a GOAT, man, and I really hope that we can jersey swap after the game. Much respect to you. Stay healthy, stay humble, keep grinding, baby. I can't wait for the matchup."
Nothing but respect between tight ends
Super Bowl LIV features the league's two premier tight ends, but you won't find them trash-talking each other ahead of the big game.
George Kittle and Travis Kelce came together on stage for an interview and showed nothing but respect for one another.
The two stars are sure to bring their best on Sunday.
Mahomes, young reporters share touching moment
Everyone knows Patrick Mahomes is a great quarterback, but it turns out he's great with kids, too. When a starstruck young reporter told Mahomes he wanted to grow up to be "just like you," Mahomes responded, "You can be." Before the young man left, Mahomes also complimented him on his hairstyle.
Kobe's impact on Sherman
Kobe Bryant impacted countless professional athletes, and Sherman was certainly one of them. The 49ers defender, who grew up in Compton, Calif., spoke about Bryant's impact on his community both on and off the basketball court.
"He meant a lot to the city of L.A. and he's a tremendous idol," Sherman told reporters. "Like I said, there's not enough praise I can give him. There's not enough words in my vernacular, in my vocabulary to give him the praise and the respect that he deserves.
"But he deserves every inch, every ounce of respect ... He gave me a ton of inspiration. I'm sure he inspired millions and billions and trillions of other kids. There's no limit to the impact he's had on my city and on cities around the world."
Sherman - similar to Bryant in 2013 - tore his Achilles while playing with the Seattle Seahawks during the 2017 season, and he made sure he handled the injury in the same way as his late friend did.
"I saw him make two free throws and walk off with a torn Achilles," the veteran cornerback said. "And once I tore mine, I knew I had to walk off. ... Like he said before 'we're different animals but the same beast' ... I had to be able to walk that off."
Kittle talks Jimmy G's flaws
Jimmy Garoppolo may appear perfect, but the Niners quarterback has a bad habit that one of his teammates made light of.
During his time at the podium, Kittle hilariously revealed that Garoppolo hardly ever returns his text messages.
HEADLINES
- NFL coaching hot seat: Who's under pressure down the stretch?
- Report: Chargers' Dobbins out at least 1 week with knee injury
- 49ers' Samuel: Shanahan shouldn't be on hot seat amid 5-6 start
- Week 13 Rankings (Early Edition): Hurts, Jackson set to square off
- Thanksgiving betting preview: Can Lions keep win streak alive vs. Bears?