“It Was So Gangsta”: When Aaron Rodgers Detailed His First Meeting with Eagles Fan Kobe Bryant

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers once talked about his meeting with Kobe Bryant. In a January 2022 interview with Sportsnet’s Cabbie Richards, Rodgers spoke about a variety of topics. He was also asked about his experience of meeting the deceased LA Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant. The 39-year-old claimed that he met an Italian suit-clad Kobe smoking a cigar in the locker room.

Aaron Rodgers was invited into the dressing room after he attended a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He claimed that Kobe Bryant was highly charismatic, and left him with a nostalgic remembrance.

Aaron Rodgers Revealed Details About meeting With Kobe Bryant

Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets in April 2023. The interview happened back when he was at the Green Bay Packers.

The now 39-year-old was asked a series of questions, including his experience of meeting famous celebrities such as Barack Obama, Dalai Lama, and Kobe Bryant. Rodgers revealed that he met Kobe sitting in the locker room after the game.

The late Lakers legend was wearing an Italian suit and smoking a cigar. Rodgers had claimed that the incident took place “many years” ago:

“He invited me back into the locker room and they played Milwaukee years and years ago, he was in there in this Italian suit, smoking cigar. It was like, that’s so gangsta. It was so good. Just the energy that he had, and he commanded. And that’s what charismatic people do. They give you that nostalgic remembrance.”

Aaron Rodgers Wanted To End Career At Packers, Create a Kobe-Like Legacy

Aaron Rodgers left the Packers after claiming that the team was already planning their future without him, and shopping for replacements. Through the years, Rodgers has revealed multiple times that he had the utmost respect for Kobe Bryant.

The 39-year-old had once said he hoped to stick it out with “one team” till the end of his career. Along with Bryant, Rodgers had praised the likes of Derek Jeter and Tim Duncan, who retired back in 2016.

While Rodgers eventually ended up leaving, it was after leading the Packers to the Super Bowl XV titles. According to SeatGeek, Rodgers had once paid more than $11k to watch Kobe Bryant in action against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Looking at his past interviews, it is clear that the 39-year-old had the utmost respect for Kobe Bryant. Bryant, who won 4 NBA titles with the LA Lakers, is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and one of the most respected as well.