The city of Los Angeles was excited at the announcement that professional football would finally be returning. However, don’t expect Lakers legend Kobe Bryant to switch his allegiances.
The NFL announced that the Rams would be moving back to Los Angeles from St. Louis in 2016 and the Chargers also have the option to join them.
Before the Lakers took on the Golden State Warriors, Kobe expressed excitement for the Rams return, but pledged his allegiance to his hometown Philadelphia Eagles according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe Bryant says he's "excited" for the NFL to come to LA, but "I'm always going to have my green helmet." (Kobe's a Philly fan).
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 15, 2016
Kobe has always been a well known Eagles fan and a team moving to Los Angeles simply isn’t going to change that. Kobe grew up in Philadelphia and it is difficult to go against the team you grew up rooting for.
Being in Los Angeles will make things easier for Kobe to enjoy some football in person and while his Eagles don’t play the Rams this season, they will play them in 2017, though it is unknown whether that game will take place in Los Angeles.
With Kobe finally retiring after 20 years in the NBA, he will have more time to enjoy these extracurricular activities such as taking in a football game. Los Angeles will have the NFL back for the first time in more than 20 years and just like the rest of the city, Kobe is happy because of it.
