New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley never met NBA legend Kobe Bryant in person, but that doesn’t mean the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar didn’t have a substantial impact on his life.

Shortly after Bryant’s death, a video with Barkley reading a letter to Kobe from 2019 went viral for a second time.

Those words from Barkley ring even more true today, and on Wednesday, the running back vowed to keep The Mamba Mentality alive and well.

“Big inspiration to me,” Barkley said, via the New York Post. “Unfortunately I never got to meet him, but he had a big impact on me and the type of player I hopefully continue to be. I love everything he is about: The Mamba Mentality.

“You have a relentless approach. You find something you are passionate about and want to be great at. And you don’t just talk about it, you go and do it. You get to the point where you get others around you to do it, too. I think he did that the best out of anyone.”

Barkley also admitted to having a fan moment with Kobe after receiving a text from the icon, saying he jumped out of his bed and “screamed” like a kid.

“It definitely hits you on a whole other level,” Barkley said in reflection. “The first thing I wanted to do was call my daughter and tell her I love her. You should never take anything for granted in this world. You have to try to live life to the fullest.”

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others were killed when their helicopter crashed in the hills on a foggy day just outside of Los Angeles. They were en route to a youth basketball game.