C.J. Gardner-Johnson embraces his Mamba Mentality on the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death
The reason C.J. Gardner-Johnson wears No. 8 is for the late basketball Hall of Famer.
Sunday’s game meant a lot to Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Not only did his team win the NFC championship, securing a trip to New Orleans for another chance at the Lombardi trophy, but it happened on the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death.
In Gardner-Johnson’s first season with the Eagles in 2022, he wore the number 23. Last year, when the safety played for the Detroit Lions, he decided to change his number to 2. But in his second stint with the Birds, Gardner-Johnson decided to change his number yet again but this time to the number 8 in honor of Bryant.
“I didn’t know about the anniversary today,” Gardner-Johnson admitted. “But R.I.P. Kobe. Let’s bring it back for him and Philly.”
Of course Bryant, who starred at Lower Merion High School, was a huge Eagles fan. The legendary Lakers star can be seen gleefully celebrating after the Eagles’ Super Bowl win in 2018 in a heartwarming video shot by his wife, Vanessa Bryant.
When asked what Mamba Mentality meant to him, Gardner-Johnson responded “win, win, win and win again and win again.” And this 27-year-old knows a thing or two about winning. Gardner-Johnson has played two seasons with the Eagles, making the Super Bowl both times.
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“I’m thanking God and my coach,” Gardner-Johnson said. “We’re just blessed to be here again.”
When asked if this year feels different from Eagles’ playoff run in 2022, he said, “Yeah, we’re going to win this year. Show them what we got. We can’t shy away, this is a big moment for us.”
For now, Gardner-Johnson has his eyes set on one thing: Celebrating.
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After the win, the safety made his way into the Eagles locker room right as he grabbed his phone to go on Instagram. He continued his trash-talking ways in front of the thousands tuning in on social media.
“I said early in the season that everything runs through Philly and they tried to tweet and say Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was tripping,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Look where the [expletive] we at.”
And as soon as the double doors to the locker room were opened, the faint sound of Too Short’s “Blow the Whistle” could be heard blasting through the speakers. Inside, Gardner-Johnson was already engaging in the postgame festivities.
The first sight in the locker room was a dance circle featuring Gillie Da Kid and Gardner-Johnson in the middle surrounded by the team wearing the NFC championship gear.
Gardner-Johnson’s festivities are sure to continue after Sunday’s performance. The safety entered “Kobe mode” in the Birds’ 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders, ending the night with five total tackles, including three solo. In the teams’ previous meeting, he had an interception before he was ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.