Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and NFL superstar Richard Sherman of the San Francisco 49ers are two of the biggest names of their respective sports. However, that is not the only thing they have in common. Both suffered highly-publicized, career-threatening Achilles injuries, and according to Sherman himself, Bryant was essential in his road to recovery.

The Super Bowl XLVIII champion recently sat down with Nick Wagoner of ESPN and shared how his friend, Bryant, helped him get through one of the darkest times in his career.

“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.”

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Bryant, who himself successfully recovered from a devastating Achilles injury, explained how important mental fortitude is during these trying times.

“The most important part is not looking at the finish line,” Bryant said. “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.”

After seven outstanding years with the Seattle Seahawks, Sherman has just recently parted ways with the team that drafted him in 2011. He is now embarking on a new and challenging chapter in his career, and surely, Bryant's advice will go a long way.