The special connection between Kobe Bryant and the Eagles

This Sunday, January 26, marks five years since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, the iconic Los Angeles Lakers star often regarded as Michael Jordan’s heir apparent. As the world reflects on his legacy, Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia will see its NFL team, the Eagles, fight for a spot in Super Bowl LIX when they face the Washington Commanders.

The connection between Bryant and the Eagles runs deep. Back in 2018, a video of Kobe celebrating the team’s historic first Super Bowl win over Tom Brady’s New England Patriots went viral. Captured by his wife, Vanessa Bryant, the footage showed Kobe holding his daughter Bianka as he nervously watched Brady’s final “Hail Mary” attempt fall incomplete. Ecstatic, he shouted, “Thank God, we won the damn Super Bowl!”

A “Mamba Mentality” Drives the Eagles

Kobe Bryant’s legendary “Mamba Mentality” has become a source of inspiration for the Eagles, who are just one win away from another Super Bowl appearance.

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“Every offseason, I look to guys like MJ and Kobe to analyze their approach,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said in August 2023. “It’s two different sports, but I work on improving my strengths and turning weaknesses into strengths.”

This mindset isn’t just limited to the players. In September 2022, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni showed the team a clip from a Kobe Bryant documentary about his time with Team USA. Sirianni highlighted Kobe’s unparalleled competitiveness to motivate the squad before facing—ironically—Washington.

The late Kobe Bryant’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has publicly embraced Bryant’s ethos, writing “Mamba Mentality” on his cleats before practices and games. In a heartfelt 2019 letter to Kobe, Barkley expressed how that mentality shaped his drive to succeed. Following Bryant’s passing, Barkley shared a tribute, saying, “I just hope to inspire others the way you inspired me.”

As Philadelphia rallies behind the Eagles, the team embodies the resilience and determination Kobe championed. And while Sunday’s game is about the pursuit of a championship, for many fans, it’s also a tribute to a hometown hero whose legacy continues to motivate generations.

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The game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles will be played on Sunday, January 26, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT. The AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday January 26, 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

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