PHOTOS: Rory McIlroy rocks Kobe-inspired cleats at Masters
With Kobe Bryant on the verge of playing his final game in the NBA, Rory McIlroy is the first of many Nike-sponsored athletes paying homage to the five-time NBA champion leading up to "Mamba Day" on April 13.
McIlroy wore black-and-gold Kobe-influenced golf cleats Thursday at Augusta National during Round 1 of the Masters. The two colors were chosen by the company to represent "Bryant's golden career fading to black."
Rory McIlroy is first Nike athlete to honor Kobe, wearing this black & gold cleat today at the Masters pic.twitter.com/beMQB11S8a
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 7, 2016
Here are the shoes at work:
Professional athletes representing sports including baseball, soccer, and, of course, basketball will all participate. Bryant will also unveil the Kobe 11 "Black Mamba" shoe on April 13.
Keegan Bradley paid homage to another NBA legend on Thursday, wearing Michael Jordan's "45s" - the number he wore while playing baseball and a handful of games when he returned to the Bulls in 1995.
Keegan Bradley broke out these Jordans for the first round of the Masters. by @Sportscenter pic.twitter.com/Yfhi7kKMTO
— CEO. Work. OTG. (@OverTimeGrind) April 7, 2016