Richard Sherman: Kobe Bryant Helped Recover From Achilles Injury

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman revealed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant played a key role in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.

Sherman suffered the injury against the Arizona Cardinals in November last year while playing for the Seattle Seahawks. Despite famously helping Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos back in 2014, he would later be released by the franchise in March.

The Compton native would proceed to sign with the 49ers in a three-year deal reportedly worth up to $39.15 million and is set to make his return to action when the 2018 NFL season kicks off this weekend. The 49ers will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Before the injury, Sherman had never missed a game, so the rehabilitation process was a new and difficult one for him. However, reflecting on the journey, the 30-year-old spoke of how Bryant helped him expedite the healing process.

"He and I had a previous relationship and talked and texted all the time," Sherman told ESPN. "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."

Bryant served as a "sounding board" who offered guidance and checked in on Sherman throughout his rehabilitation. He also initially recommended doctors and "laid out the different stages" of rehabilitation.

The five-time NBA champion, of course, injured his own Achilles in April 2013 in what is considered among the worst injuries in sport.

"This is the ultimate challenge," Bryant said of the injury. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. It's horrible."

That is why it was imperative for Sherman to focus on recovering gradually.

"The most important part is not looking at the finish line," Bryant explained. "It's so far away, it's like starting at the base of Everest and you're looking up at the summit. That's big. That's what the Achilles injury is like, man, it's tough. You can't think about the finish line."

"You have to just think about the day that's right here in front of you now. You put one foot in front of the other and then next thing you know, time has gone by and you're at the top of the mountain. But you have got to just take it one step at a time," he said.

Many athletes in different sports fail to return to the same player they were after an Achilles injury. Whether Sherman can be the exception will be one of the major question marks heading into the new season, however, Bryant is excited for his comeback.

"His mentality is what separates him," Bryant added. "From being overlooked, from being kind of thought of as someone who won't be able to maximize his potential, I think he uses that as fuel to drive him and propel him. I'm excited for him to come back and show the world what he's got, man. It's going to be awesome."