"Choker like LeBron, he ain't no Mamba": NBA fans grill Lamar Jackson as Kobe Bryant tribute falls flat with humbling defeat

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s tribute to Kobe Bryant fell short on Monday after a tough night against the Detroit Lions. Jackson showed up at M&T Bank Stadium wearing a t-shirt referencing Bryant’s legendary 81-point performance.

After such a gesture, fans expected a big night out of Jackson. However, the Lions' defensive pressure led to the two-time MVP being sacked seven times on Monday in a 38-30 loss. The Ravens fall to 1-2 to start the season. Jackson’s pre-game tribute to Bryant was highlighted on social media by ESPN.

After the game, fans reacted to the Instagram post, criticizing Jackson for falling short after his gesture. Fans also poked fun at his stat line with references to Bryant’s 81-point game. Here are the most notable reactions:

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“Choker more like LeBron! He ain’t no Mamba,” one fan commented.

“Didn’t age well,” another fan wrote.

“He got 81 aiight 8-1 = 7 sacks lol,” a fan commented.

“For god’s sake, Lamar, if you're going to wear something Kobe related, please win,” one fan said.

“Did all that to lose gang take Kobe off yo shirt,” said another fan.

Lamar Jackson called Kobe Bryant “one of the GOATs” next to Michael Jordan and LeBron James

Lamar Jackson’s admiration for Kobe Bryant is well documented. In 2020, shortly after the LA Lakers legend’s death, Jackson was participating in his first NFL Pro Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.

While speaking to reporters, he was asked about his feelings on Kobe Bryant. Jackson held nothing back in his answer, calling Bryant one of the "GOATs" while reflecting on the time he sent him a signed jersey shortly after Jackson was drafted.

“That’s a legend, he did so much for the game of basketball, a lot of people looked up to Kobe Bryant, including me,” Jackson said. “It [signed jersey] means a lot, that’s one of the GOATs. Him, MJ (Michael Jordan) and LeBron, those are the top three.”

While Bryant retired with five NBA championships, Lamar Jackson is still chasing his first Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens. After falling short against Detroit on Monday, the Ravens will return to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. This will be a crucial game for the team as it tries to avoid going down 1-3.

About the author

Sameer is an esports and gaming journalist at Sportskeeda who covers a diverse range of topics. He is currently pursuing a BSc degree from BITS, but his love for video games pushed him to pursue a gaming journalism career. He relies on diligent research and fact-checking to deliver top-notch content. He has previously worked in the hospitality sector with the Oberoi Group.

Sameer’s gaming journey began with Rockstar Games’ GTA franchise, specifically
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. He strongly prefers multiplayer games, with FPS being his favorite genre, and has devoted 6K+ hours to CS:GO! However, he also dabbles in open-world, story-based games from time to time. Solo RPGs like Horizon Forbidden West hold a soft spot in his heart, and he would readily drop in it given a Jumanji-type scenario.

Sameer makes sure to follow Counter-Strike and Valorant esports tournaments, as he believes that watching a game being played at the highest level can be highly educational. He derives inspiration from Tarik's meteoric rise to become one of the biggest FPS streamers in the world following the release of Valorant.

Outside of work, you can find Sameer playing football or cheering for FC Barcelona. He also likes to read and write poetry.

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Edited by Sameer Khan