MIAMI — Super Bowl week got off to a subdued start as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers arrived in Miami on Sunday still digesting the news that Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant had died in a helicopter crash. San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman, who will have the job of defending Mahomes in next Sunday’s Super Bowl, echoed the sentiment on Twitter: “Just don’t have the words…. #Kobe.”The NFL joined North America’s other major sports leagues in offering condolences to the Bryant family while observing a moment of silence before the opening kickoff of the All-Star Game being played in Orlando. Sorrow, however, will eventually give way to excitement as thousands of fans pour into Miami, which is hosting the Super Bowl for a record 11th time. Kansas City are slight favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy next Sunday, though several oddsmakers call the contest even.

Source: National Post January 27, 2020 03:33 UTC