CJ Gardner-Johnson was heavily trolled online after a play that had him coming off looking very silly on Friday night.
The safety returned to the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason after spending a year with the Detroit Lions. He’s back wearing a new number, picking the No. 8 jersey after previously wearing No. 23 with the team.
CJ revealed having chosen the number to honor his favorite basketball player, the late Kobe Bryant, who wore the No. 8 before switching to 24 later in his career.
“My favorite player is from here,” he said back in March, per NBC. “I think tapping into a different mentality is something people will be great to see this year. I’m on my Kobe mode right now, so I’m coming out with the Mamba. I’m coming out with the 8.”
The safety wore No. 22 with the New Orleans Saints before switching to No. 23 in Philly. He played with the No. 2 jersey in Detroit last season but grabbed his current number following Marcus Mariota’s departure in free agency.
Fans Already Want CJ Gardner-Johnson To Change His Number
Fans didn’t think he did the new number justice in his first game back for the Eagles on Friday night, however.
“Kobe rolling over in his grave,” one wrote as the caption of a video showing CJ Gardner-Johnson getting skinned by Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed during Friday’s showdown between the two teams in Brazil.
Check it out below:
Kobe rolling over in his grave
pic.twitter.com/3p9theKR5v https://t.co/zTQoX9ZvMa
— 𝟑𝟏𝟑 (@DetSparty_) September 7, 2024
“@CGJXXIII, i’m begging you switch that jersey,” one fan begged.
“That’s not very mamba mentality of him,” another observed.
“he thinks he’s him😭,” someone added.
“sh*t aint even his fault, this field is so a**,” a fan said in his defense.
You can see some more reactions here:
Kobe rolling over in his grave
pic.twitter.com/3p9theKR5v https://t.co/zTQoX9ZvMa
— 𝟑𝟏𝟑 (@DetSparty_) September 7, 2024
— Mob (@MobHoops) September 7, 2024
While that was not a great look for the 24-year-old, it’s likely already behind him as the Eagles have started their season off with a win, beating Green Bay 34-29.
Linebacker Zack Baun showed out for the defense on the night, making 11 tackles and both of the Eagles’ two sacks. Gardner-Johnson added a pair of tackles himself.
