The NFL honored Kobe Bryant a day after his death with a moment of silence before the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs spoke with reporters at Super Bowl Opening Night in Miami.
Fans attending the event at Marlins Park chanted "Kobe" soon after.
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SIGN UP HERE Bryant, 41, died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were on board, heading to a youth basketball game. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters Sunday that there were no survivors from the crash.
A five-time NBA champion and one-time NBA MVP, Bryant retired in 2016 after spending all 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired as the NBA's third all-time leading scorer until current Lakers star LeBron James passed him on the league's list Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
News of Bryant's death broke during the NFL's Pro Bowl on Sunday in Orlando, Fla. The league honored him with a moment of silence at Camping World Stadium, prompting "Kobe" chants from the crowd.
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"Kobe was an extraordinary athlete who thrilled and entertained sports fans around the world for a generation," the NFL said in a statement Sunday. "Our thoughts are with the Bryant family, Kobe's fans, his teammates, the Lakers organization and the NBA."
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The 49ers also tweeted a tribute to Bryant on Sunday.
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Also tune in at 1 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday for a two-hour special of "49ers Pregame Live" with Laura Britt, Donte Whitner, Jeff Garcia, Ian Williams, Kelli Johnson, Greg Papa and Grant Liffmann. That same crew will have all the postgame reaction on "49ers Postgame Live," starting immediately after the game.