The sports world is still reeling from the tragedy that took nine lives in Calabasas in late January, including those of basketball royalty Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
When the celebrities and athletes we admire are taken from the world too soon, we look back on their legacy, often times reflecting on how these people impacted our lives.
Ryan Koenigsberg of TheDNVR interviewed NFL Draft hopeful Laviska Shenault, a University of Colorado product, at the 2020 NFL Combine about a personal experience he had with Kobe Bryant.
Shenault’s new sports agency, Klutch Sports had offered the former Colorado standout courtside seats at the Staples center for the Lakers-Mavericks game in late December.
Laviska was able to sit courtside next to Kobe, who was a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, and Gianna in what would be their last appearance at the Staples Center.
Laviska shared his experience sitting next to Kobe.
“That was a very special moment,” he told DNVR. “I know he was a great father. He was a great dad.”
One interaction particularly stuck out to Shenault.
“I actually haven’t been able to talk to anybody about this, but one of the talks we had — he had an Eagles hat on, and one of the things he said was, ‘Man, Philly sure needs a receiver,” Shenault said. “That was so exciting for him to say that. I responded with, ‘Aye, I can get the job done for you.’ That was a special moment.”
As Kobe expressed, it was no secret that the Eagles receiving core was decimated last season. Sitting at the 21st pick in the draft, it’s fair to assume the team will be leaning towards a pass catcher in the receiver-heavy 2020 draft class.
Shenault may prove to be the right option for the Birds, but there will be stiff competition among first-round wide receiver prospects. Teams like the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets all have a need and all pick ahead of the Eagles. .
CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and the tandem from Alabama (Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III) are projected to be the first receivers to be snagged up. If Shenault is able to convince teams his health will not be a factor come training camp, he could move into the first half of the first round, and could very well end up as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.
With the University of Colorado last season, Shenault was a bright spot for the team catching passes and taking snaps in the wildcat package. In 11 games he racked up 6 touchdowns and 925 yards from scrimmage despite a season long nagging injury. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Shenault says the injury will not require surgery.
Shenault posted a somewhat disappointing 40-time of 4.58 seconds at the Combine, but admitted he still isn’t 100-percent healthy. He will look to improve his performance at Colorado’s upcoming Pro Day. With that being said, anyone who has seen Shenault play in person or watched extensive tape on the 6-foot-1, 227-pounder knows that he does not lack high-end speed in game situations.
Where Shenault will be drafted is still up in the air. However, if he is sporting Eagle green on Sundays next fall, it will definitely mean a little extra.
Full DNVR story can be found here.
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