Kobe Bryant to be honored at Super Bowl LIV in Miami says NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

Emotional tributes to Kobe Bryant have been pouring in since the LA Lakers great tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California last Sunday, along with his daughter Gianni and seven others.

Now the five-time NBA champion will be honored on arguably the biggest sports stages of them all: Super Bowl LIV.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement while fielding questions from reporters during a pre-Super Bowl press conference.

Remembering a sports icon: The NFL will pay tribute to Kobe Bryant during Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Sunday, February 2

‘I don’t think just Los Angeles is mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant,’ Goodell began before going into detail about his personal thoughts of the sure-fire hall of famer. 

‘I did have the opportunity to meet him. He obviously brought a lot to our world and I think all of us not only feel for the tragic events to his family but as well as everyone else who was a passenger on that helicopter.’ 

‘It’s hard to understand and it’s hard to process,’ Goodell continued. 

He also revealed that he’s ‘proud’ of the way NFL players have been expressing their grief and gratitude in the wake of the shocking tragedy.     

At this point, it’s still unclear what the NFL has planned for the tribute: there could be the traditional moment of silence, video montage, or some sort of homage to the jersey numbers — 8 and 24 — that he wore during his 20-year career with the Lakers.

Emotional tributes: ‘I don’t think just Los Angeles is mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant,’ NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a pre-Super Bowl press conference

RIP: Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the nine people killed when the helicopter they were riding in crashed into the hills in Calabasas, California last Sunday

Also on Wednesday, Bryant’s longtime teammate, Shaquille O’Neal, will also be honoring his ‘brother’ during Super Bowl weekend.

After days of grief, sadness and reflection, Shaq decided he wasn’t going to cancel his previously scheduled Shaq’s Funhouse Super Bowl Party.  

‘Been going back and forth the past couple of days on if I should even have my event in Miami this weekend,’ he began in a written statement he posted on Instagram and Twitter.

‘Part of me wanted to stay to myself as I reflect what my brother and his family mean to me and my family.

Turns out he looked deep within himself and asked what would Kobe want him to do?    

‘Kobe would want us to push through and celebrate life. So lets do just that,’ he explained.

Longtime teammate Shaquille O’Neal announced he will pay tribute to Bryant and the other crash victims during his Shaq’s Funhouse Super Bowl Party

Legends: Bryant and O’Neal won three NBA championships together with the Lakers; they are pictured after winning their first title in June 2000

O’Neal also revealed that he will be dedicating and donating all the proceeds from Friday’s event to all the families who lost loved ones in the crash, as well as to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation.

He ended with a heartfelt message: ‘Together we will celebrate all of those who lost their lives in Sunday’s tragedy. RIP my brother, my friend and my homie, The Black Mamba. Until we meet again.’     

Investigators are still combing through the crash site and debris. So far, investigators have not determined the exact cause of the crash; foggy weather is among the potential elements that are being explored. 

Super Bowl 54 is set for Sunday, February 2, between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49’ers in Miami, Florida.

Super Sunday: Super Bowl 54 is set for Sunday, February 2, between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49’ers in Miami, Florida; O’Neal was by his former teammates side during the unveiling of Bryant at Staples Center in March 2017