For some, getting a relaxing massage helps to relieve stress. For others, it’s blowing off some steam at the gym. Apparently for Carolina Panthers safety Roman Harper, meeting Kobe Bryant was the ticket.
Harper met Bryant before Monday’s Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets game, according to ESPN.com.
“I got to meet Kobe Bryant last night,’’ Harper said on Tuesday. “I’m riding high. I haven’t had many days better than that. I’m good. I’m looking forward to this week.”
Carolina was defeated by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, putting an end to the team’s dream of finishing with a perfect record. Now at 14-1, the Panthers still have a chance to finish with the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Needless to say, it was a downer, but for Harper, meeting Bryant was the cure for his blues.
“Man, he’s the ‘Black Mamba,’ ’’ Harper said. “What else is there to say? He’s one of the greatest of all time, if not the greatest. He’s the best I’ve ever seen with my own eyes.’’
In addition to meeting the greatest NBA player of this generation, Harper received some sage advice to carry him through the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
“One thing he did implement was … just to go out and do it, don’t settle for anything,’’ Harper said. “Just go out there and finish it and go do it.
“Coming from the ‘Black Mamba,’ I say we’ve got to go do that.’’
Playing with the presumptive league MVP, Cam Newton, should help.
A win is still very important this weekend for the Panthers. If they were to lose and the Arizona Cardinals were to win, then Arizona would take the No. 1 seed in the NFC, meaning the division would go through them. A win by the Panthers would ensure home field for the entirety of the playoffs, which is highly desirable.
Needless to say, the team cannot afford a hangover after losing its first game of the season to the Dirty Birds in Atlanta.