We saw a historic performance from Washington rookie Chase Young on Sunday in the win over the San Francisco 49ers, where he had six tackles, two tipped passes, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. It was just the seventh time a rookie has ever achieved that sort of stat-line, according to The Athletic‘s Rhiannon Walker.
After the game when talking to media members, Young wasn’t so hot to celebrate the victory and bask in his accomplishments, however. Instead, he touted the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ saying that if the late, great Kobe Bryant were in his position, he wouldn’t be smiling and celebrating; he would have his head down, ready for more.
Chase Young with the mamba mentality: "I like to think, 'What would Kobe do?' He wouldn't be smiling. He'd put his head down and keep working until he achieved what he wanted to achieve… That's the vibe of the team right now. We're not satisfied."
— Logan Campbell (@loganncampbelll) December 14, 2020
For Young and the Washington Football Team, they’re on the brink of achieving a whole lot more than anyone ever predicted they would this season, with a couple games standing between them and the 2020 postseason. Sitting at 6-7 with three games left on the schedule, Washington is in the driver’s seat in the NFC East, and they are right in the middle of the wild-card race as well.
No matter what they end up doing from here on through the rest of the year, this season will be considered a success for Ron Rivera and his squad. The future of the franchise is set with a young group that includes Young and Montez Sweat, and they are touting the Mamba Mentality going forward. Head down, unsatisfied, with unfinished business. Just as Kobe would have done.
