New Minnesota Vikings player Brandon Bostick has claimed that former NFL running back Earnest Byrner acted as his "life coach" in the aftermath of the NFC Championship game last season.

The tight end, then of the Green Bay Packers, was criticised for a crucial error which helped the Seattle Seahawks secure their passage into the Super Bowl.

Byrner reached out to the 25-year-old, having gone through a similar experience in 1988.

Bostick told the St.Paul Pioneer Press: "[Byner] has been a life coach for me. I didn't realise how big of a mistake this was."

Byrner added: "When I saw an interview he did three days after the game, and he spoke about feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, I understood that feeling. I do not want him to go through the process alone."

Bostick also revealed that he received death threats after the incident.