As the Los Angeles Lakers continue their heart-wrenching tribute to Kobe Bryant, and the show of affection for the late NBA star isn't limited to the basketball world alone. Peyton Manning, one of the biggest stars in the sport, paid a short tribute to Kobe during the ninth annual NFL Honors.

Sunday Night Football on NBC shared a video of the moment, and it's a heartwarming moment that showed how beloved Kobe is throughout American sports.

He began by talking about his friendship with Bryant, how their careers were almost a mirror of the other, and his approach to the game:

“Our careers overlapped almost identically. We even retired within just a few months of each other. I remember meeting him for the first time in the Lakers locker room in 1999. We immediately recognized mutual appreciation for what it took to do our jobs well. The sport was different, but the way that Kobe prepared, the way that he analyzed the game, it was very familiar.”

He then shared how Kobe was as much of an avid fan of football as he is passionate about basketball. He recalled the time Bryant went into the Philadelphia Eagles locker room and gave his team a pep-talk before a game in the playoffs that they would eventually win.

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Peyton Manning also touched on how Kobe saw the development of the youth as an important part of the process. He recognized Kobe's efforts with not only his daughter but the entire system. He said that he was talking to everyone from the youth level to the pros.

The future Hall of Famer ended his speech on a powerful note:

“The NFL joins the country and the world in mourning the loss of nine individuals who left their own indelible imprint on the lives of many. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with their families. May God's peace be with all of them. And I do sure miss my friend, Kobe Bryant.”

It was a powerful speech in front of his peers, and it's one that the rest of the world will find touching.