Since stepping away from the NBA last year, former Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant has been quite busy with different ventures away from the game.
With that in mind, the 39-year-old took time to speak to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday morning in Los Angeles prior to their primetime matchup against the NFC West division-leading Los Angeles Rams, according to Jeff McLane of Philly.com.
#Eagles had Kobe Bryant talk to the team today at their hotel in Costa Mesa, Calif.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 8, 2017
It was well-known that Bryant is a big Eagles fan given that he spent part the latter part of his childhood in Philadelphia. He has been quite vocal with his support over the years. This combined with the team playing well along with him being retired provided him the opportunity to give them a pep talk.
Bryant also spoke to the media after he spoke with the team stating that he believes the Eagles may have a special bond and character that could help guide them to win a championship this season.
@kobebryant on what he thinks of this #Eagles team pic.twitter.com/LiRo1lkuuj
— Dave Spadaro (@EaglesInsider) December 8, 2017
“I think the character of this team is special. That's what wins championships is the character and spirit. You are certain moments that you go up and down, but when you have the spirit of the team being strong and a collective one then you have something special. Fingers crossed, they look to have it.”
The Eagles have immediately shown their appreciation toward Bryant by giving him his own special customized jersey that he joyfully voiced was the first that he was ever received from the organization.
Lower Merion’s @kobebryant just spoke to his #Eagles🦅team🔥🔥
Loves putting on @Eagles jersey
Says he gets so nervous for games and wont move spots during games if things are going 👍🏼💯Hear from Kobe @NBCSPhilly @NBCPhiladelphia today! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/GyrvNd82W2
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 8, 2017
A few Eagles players and the team took to Twitter voiced their appreciation toward Bryant taking the time to talk with them ahead of Sunday's game at the Los Angeles Coliseum against the Rams.
Got to hear from one of the all-time greats this mornin, @kobebryant ! Appreciate it brotha. Loved it.
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) December 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/nelsonagholor/status/939211430238105600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedinggreennation.com%2F2017%2F12%2F8%2F16752766%2Fkobe-bryant-motivational-speech-eagles-players-philadelphia-los-angeles-lakers-fan-doug-pederson-nba
Thanks for speaking great words to the team @kobebryant . Appreciate the advice 🐐✊🏾
— Sidney Jones IV (@SidneyJonesIV) December 8, 2017
Thanks to @kobebryant for visiting us in LA!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/bgVewLEdZM
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 8, 2017
The Eagles are currently tied atop of the NFC standings with the Minnesota Vikings for the best record in the league at a 10-2 mark through the first 12 games of the season. They have been led by second-year quarterback Carson Wentz, who has put together an MVP-Caliber season ranking first in the league with 29 touchdown passes along with 3,005 passing yards and is sixth with a 102.0 passer rating.
Philadelphia has an opportunity to create some separation in the playoff picture and get a step closer to securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage up through to the Super Bowl.