The surprise of the sports world right now is the Washington Commanders of the NFL. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders went from 4-13 and the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft all the way to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, one win away from the Super Bowl. It’s an unprecedented franchise turnaround led by a Southern California kid with ties to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Daniels wore cleats that were a tribute to Bryant last week, showing his respect to the late Lakers legend. Daniels was born in Fontana and raised in San Bernardino, playing at Cajon High School there and not playing football outside of Southern California until college in 2019.