Saquon Barkley’s third season for the New York Giants may have ended after just two games after suffering a torn ACL, but he vows to be back better than ever. And he’s using one of basketball’s greatest players as inspiration to overcome his injury. 

The Giants’ star running back has deleted all of his posts on Instagram except for a picture of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The late Kobe Bryant, of course, is known for overcoming various injuries throughout his 20-year career with the Lakers, during which he won five championships. 

Barkley sustained the injury during the second quarter of the Giants’ 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears, and was carted off the field. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury, likely ending his 2020 season. Prior to the injury, he had four carries and 28 yards in the game. He was coming off a Week 1 performance in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, during which he had 15 carries for six rushing yards and six receptions for 60 receiving yards.

After a strong rookie season that saw him win Rookie of the Year honors, Barkley finished the 2019 season with 217 carries and 1,003 rushing yards and six rushing touchdown. He also added 52 receptions, 438 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns in 13 games for the Giants. He entered the 2020 season with high expectations, especially since the Giants have not made the playoffs since 2016. But if his inspiration is any indication, then Barkley will look to channel his inner Mamba Mentality and attack the long road to recovery from the injury in the same way he has attacked defenses in his young NFL career.