Chiefs’ Travis Kelce met Kobe Bryant just once but his words still resonate today
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and late NBA star Kobe Bryant crossed paths just once, but that chance meeting had a profound effect on Kelce.
Kelce revealed how Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” has shaped his outlook. Bryant’s preparation and dedication to his sport while ignoring outside voices is part of what makes up “Mamba Mentality.”
While visiting “The Lefkow Show” this week, Kelce was asked if he took special pride in quieting the critics by being targeted six times in Super Bowl LIV and making six catches with a touchdown reception.
Kelce shook his head and said: “It’s a non-stop ‘Mamba Mentality. I met Kobe one time — you know, R.I.P. — I hate to keep bringing him up because it’s still too soon for me. But his mentality has meant so much for sports that when I met him I was doing something with ESPN and Kobe was just launching (‘Detail’).
“Sure enough, I shake his hand, I just thanked him for bringing his mind-set to light so that people could understand you’ve gotta have that competitive switch. And he looked at me, stared into my eyes and said, ‘(screw) ‘em. (Screw) ‘em all.’ And it still gives me goosebumps because that made me want to run through like a wall, ASAP.”
Kelce didn’t say “screw,” but you can probably guess what was said. If you want to watch the interview, the clip about Bryant is here.
In another clip, Kelce talked about being hated by New England fans, and what’s behind the Patriots-Chiefs rivalry.
