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Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson plans to channel inner 'Mamba Mentality' in Philly

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kelsey Kramer | Last updated 3/19/24

Philadelphia Eagles brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in NFL free agency on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million.

His energy was vibrant as he spoke to Philly reporters after officially inking his new contract last week.

"Like I never left," Gardner-Johnson said with a thumbs up when asked how it feels to be back. "I feel great."

Gardner-Johnson told reporters that he's grown and matured a lot over the last year and repeatedly said that he is happy to be back.

The last time Gardner-Johnson was in Philly, he rocked No. 23 during the 2022 NFL season.

But on his new journey with the Eagles, he plans to channel his inner "Mamba Mentality" and wear No. 8 in honor of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant

"My favorite player is from here," Gardner-Johnson said. I think (I'm) tapping into a different mentality. It's like... It's something that will be great to see this year. I'm on my Kobe (Bryant) mode, so I'm coming out with The Mamba. I'm coming out with the eight."

According to Kobe, Mamba Mentality is about constantly trying to be the "best version of yourself" or better than you were yesterday.

That's what Gardner-Johnson plans to do.

“Mamba mentality. I’m here to win," he said with a smirk. "I’m not here to lose. I'm not here to be mediocre. I demand excellence. The thing about Kobe that makes him so great is, he didn’t settle. ... He had the mentality to go out there and win and kill ... in a good way”.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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