DeAndre Hopkins reveals he chose the No. 8 jersey in honor of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Oct 25, 2024, 15:22 IST

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DeAndre Hopkins, newly traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, has chosen to wear the No. 8 jersey in honor of Kobe Bryant, causing controversy as it belonged to Justyn Ross. Hopkins expressed his reverence for Bryant, with the jersey change reflecting this admiration.

DeAndre Hopkins reveals he chose the No. 8 jersey in honor of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant

Image via Imagn Images

DeAndre Hopkins, a Chiefs receiver, chose the No. 8 jersey in the Kansas City locker room, which already belonged to Justyn Ross, a 24-year-old receiver. This led to Ross being switched to No.82, causing fans to be angry. Hopkins chose the No. 8 jersey in honor of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who he considered one of his favorite athletes. This decision caused controversy among fans.
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DeAndre Hopkins on why he chose to wear the No. 8 jersey

DeAndre Hopkins, acquired by the Kansas City Chiefs in a shocking trade, will wear the No. 8 jersey on the Chiefs instead of the No. 10, which he has worn throughout his NFL career. Hopkins chose the No. 8 number in honor of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who he considers one of his favorite athletes. No. 10 is currently on the injured reserve list for running back Isiah Pacheco.

“Kobe Bryant, one of my favorite athletes of all time. So I knew if I ever got the chance to wear No. 8,” Hopkins shared his thoughts on picking No. 8 in Kansas City as per Essentially Sports. He also gave a little insight behind the number he had in Tennessee, “Just like when I picked No.10 Lionel Messi was my favorite soccer player, underdog. Felt like me at the time, coming out of college.”
He didn’t forget to thank the Titans after his trade deal to the Chiefs, “When I got the news, obviously. I was excited and ready to get to work. It means a lot. It takes your game to a different level. Your focus, your drive, knowing that you’re playing for something. It takes your game to a different level. I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple of years.”

Patrick Mahomes provided a sneak peek of the role of Hopkins this season, replacing Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, but also snatched Justyn Ross' mid-season number. It might take fans some time getting used to Hopkins wearing a new number, but this one seems to have special meaning to him. Hopkins is expected to make his Chiefs debut on Sunday afternoon vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.
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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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