Although the NBA has now moved on to its second year without Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at the helm, the “Mamba Mentality” is still alive and well. Players talk about it all the time as one of the reasons they may have had a big game that night, or a hit a clutch shot.

However, it seems the “Mamba Mentality” may have expanded beyond the NBA. During a recent video for The Players Tribune, Seattle Seahawks star cornerback Richard Sherman describes how he channeled his inner Bryant after sustaining a season-ending injury Achilles of his own:

“Heck, you tore your Achilles, shot two free throws, and walked off,” said Sherman. “So when I tore mine, I said, ‘Kobe walked it off. Get off of me, I'm about to walk this off.'”

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Lakers' LeBron James drives vs. Celtics' Derrick White
Lakers’ LeBron James shares Derrick White story to keep Bronny, Bryce ‘locked in’Jedd Pagaduan ·
Jim Calhoun waves to the fans. He coached UConn to three NCAA National Championships (1999, 2004, and 2011), seven Big East Tournament Championships, and is 11th all-time with 873 NCAA Division 1 victories. He also coached at Northeastern from 1972-86. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.
UConn legend Jim Calhoun shares wish for Thunder’s Mark Daigneault after NBA FinalsMiguel La Torre ·
John Haliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0), reacts from an suite prior to game four of the eastern conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s dad opens up about ‘stupid, unbelievable’ moment after son’s injuryMiguel La Torre ·
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama defends LeBron James with Guerschon Yabusele
Spurs rumors: San Antonio targeting ex-1st rounder with Victor Wembanyama connectionJedd Pagaduan ·
Jrue Holiday in Blazers uniform, Anfernee Simons in Celtics uniform
Jrue Holiday trade grades for Celtics, Blazers after stunning dealJedd Pagaduan ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates after making a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena.
Cavaliers offered starter in Kevin Durant trade bidMiguel La Torre ·

As many already know, Sherman was referring to when the five-time champ managed to hit two clutch free-throws before walking off the floor with a ruptured Achilles back in 2013 versus the Golden State Warriors. Sherman was in the midst of a stellar 2017 NFL season when he went down with a torn Achilles versus the Arizona Cardinals in early November.

As a Los Angeles native and notorious Lakers fan, Sherman has made his Bryant fandom well known. However, his admiration for the five-time champ clearly exceeds that of your average NBA fan. Which goes to show that even world-class athletes like Sherman can draw inspiration from the most unfortunate of events to help him bounce back strong like Bryant did.