Zach Bryan paid tribute to the late Toby Keith Saturday during his pre-Super Bowl performance in Las Vegas, where he delivered a rousing rendition of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”

“Just one of the best songs ever made,” Bryan tweeted of Keith’s 2002 hit after his concert Friday at the Cosmopolitan. “Meant quite a bit to sing my songs and Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue with all of ya.”

Bryan was among the dozens of country artists to remember Keith and acknowledge his impact following news of the “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer’s death Tuesday at the age of 62 following a bout with stomach cancer. Keith “passed peacefully” and was “surrounded by his family,” his family said in a statement. “He fought his fight with grace and courage.”

“Too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith. really hard thing to hear. rest in peace friend we love you,” Bryan wrote on social media following the news of Keith’s death. “America lost a fuckin hero man.”

Bryan also defended Keith against those who were critical of the late singer’s political stance and outspoken opinions. “This pretentious stuff is so annoying man,” Bryan said. “Man made a living off of many great songs. His patriotic shit related to the people when it did for a reason, that’s a great songwriter. Celebrate it instead of making everything negative begging.”