Why did DeAndre Hopkins choose No. 8 as his jersey number? Chiefs WR reveals heartwarming reason

The Kansas City Chiefs have added to their offensive arsenal with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The wide receiver was traded to the reigning Super Bowl champions this week and will be a welcomed presence in Kansas City's passing game.

Hopkins typically wears No. 10 as his jersey number, but that will now change with the Chiefs as it belongs to running back Isiah Pacheco. For the first time in his NFL career, Hopkins will sport a new jersey number and it was announced on Thursday that he will wear No. 8.

Chiefs reporter Pete Sweeney reported that Hopkins chose the number to honor the late Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident in January 2020.

"DeAndre Hopkins says he chose No. 8 in honor of Kobe Bryant," Pete Sweeney wrote on X.

The Chiefs acquired Hopkins in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a conditional fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-round draft pick. The pick will be upgraded if the Kansas City Chiefs make it to the Super Bowl and the 32-year-old wide receiver plays in 60% of the offensive snaps.

DeAndre Hopkins is 'ready to get to work' with Kansas City Chiefs

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins spoke to reporters for the first time on Thursday afternoon as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The wide receiver, who was originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, is now excited to play for an undefeated team. This is in comparison to the 1-5 Tennessee Titans he came from.

"I haven't played meaningful football in a couple of years," he said.

He also went on to say that he did appreciate the Titans for trading him to a contender when they could have traded him to any team. Hopkins is ready to get to work with the Chiefs and help them win important games as they try to win their third straight Super Bowl.

"Those guys could've traded me anywhere. I gotta tip my hat off for those guys before anything and thank them a lot for that. Coming here, when I got the news, obviously I was excited but ready to get to work,” Hopkins told reporters.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid insinuated that Hopkins could indeed make his first appearance with the team in Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.