Richard Sherman: Kobe was 'essential' in recovery from Achilles injury

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant was a big source of motivation for Richard Sherman during his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Bryant, who ruptured his own Achilles tendon in 2013, told ESPN's Nick Wagoner he reached out to the San Francisco 49ers cornerback - then a member of the Seattle Seahawks - a day after he suffered the injury to see how he was doing.

"When I first called to check on him I said, 'Are you alright, I want to make sure you are not being a baby about it?'" Bryant said of the November 2017 phone call.

The pair's friendship dates back to 2014, when they met at a Nike photoshoot following the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII victory. Sherman said Bryant was "essential" in his rehabilitation, offering guidance and acting as a sounding board.

"He and I had a previous relationship and talked and texted all the time," Sherman said. "So he gave me some pointers and things I needed to do early on in the process to make sure that I expedited the healing process and I was more proactive than reactive. I think that was one of the big things."

Sunday will mark Sherman's first regular-season game in 10 months, and Bryant is looking forward to his friend's comeback.

"I'm excited for him to come back and show the world what he's got, man," Bryant said. "It's going to be awesome."

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