Chiefs Star Chooses to Honor Kobe Bryant With Number Change

Before the NFL trade deadline, the Kansas City Chiefs added another playmaker to their offensive attack, trading with the Tennessee Titans for star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Chiefs have dealt with multiple injuries to offensive weapons this season so the addition of Hopkins was needed. He will provide them with a big-bodied wide receiver who can grab the ball in the air.

Pairing him with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes should allow Hopkins to thrive in the offense. He spent the first six games of the season with the Tennesee Titans and should be able to reclaim his status as a top pass catcher in the league.

Before he makes his debut with the team, Hopkins has chosen a new jersey number. He has picked the number eight to honor the late NBA star Kobe Bryant.

Bryant has continued to inspire all sorts of athletes across the spectrum of sports and Hopkins is just the latest. This move is a nice ode to one of the greatest NBA players to ever step onto a court and Hopkins says that Bryant is one of his favorite players of all time.

“Kobe Bryant, one of my favorite athletes of all time.”

During his time in Tennesee this season, Hopkins put up 15 catches for 173 yards and one score. Last year, he posted 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.

With the Chiefs wide receiving core being extremely thin right now due to injuries, Hopkins is a welcomed sight to this team. He is expected to make his debut with the Chiefs this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kansas City will have him, Justin Watson, and Xaxier Worthy as their main wideouts for Mahomes. They also will have Travis Kelce, who should help Hopkins get targets due to opposing defenses keying in on him at all times.

The veteran wideout has had a great career, making the Pro Bowl five times and being named a First-Team All-Pro three times. The former South Carolina product should provide a jolt to this Kansas City team and could be the biggest pickup in a trade this season.

If he can channel his inner Bryant, Hopkins should be able to help the Chiefs stay atop of the league. They currently sit with the best record in the NFL and are the only undefeated team left at this point in the year.

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