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Richard Sherman said earlier this week that in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s death, “Mamba Mentality lives on.”
He’s carrying that mentality on into the Super Bowl Sunday.
Sherman stepped off the 49ers bus to Hard Rock Stadium for Super Bowl LIV wearing a basketball jersey honoring Bryant, whom he described as a friend. Bryant died a week ago in a Southern California helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people.
#MambaMentality@49ers CB Richard Sherman arrives to Super Bowl LIV wearing a Kobe jersey. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/vo7pW6aUR7
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 2, 2020
The jersey, which Sherman wore backwards under his suit jacket, appears to be a 2004 NBA All-Star Game throwback. In that game played at Staples Center, Kobe poured in 20 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting. Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal scored 24 off the bench and took home the MVP trophy, but Bryant showed out.
Sherman also sat down with FOX Sports to film “Dear Football,” an homage to Bryant’s “Dear Basketball” love letter to the sport.
"Dear Football" featuring @49ers CB @RSherman_25 pic.twitter.com/GLOOFoJzt4
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 2, 2020
“Dear basketball,” Sherman begins. “From the moment I started lacing my dad’s cleats and catching imaginary game-winning interceptions in the Super Bowl, I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you.”
He noted all the work he’s spent refining his craft as a football player and what the sport has given him in return.
At the end of the video, Sherman stops his address to football.
“We love you, Kobe. We love you, Gianna,” Sherman says. “Love always, Richard.”
