Apparently, there is no pleasing a top athlete. Looking at a set of competitive and ultra-focused sports people, they like to make sure that whatever they do; they do it with conviction. While achievements are great milestones in one’s career. A true competitor has his eye set on the final goal. In Micah Parsons’ case, he won’t celebrate too early. Instead of taking a sigh of relief, the LB had Kobe Bryant-like response after winning the Mid-season DPOY by FOX.

With Fox crowning Parsons with a Defensive Player of the Year award through the mid-season. The 23-year-old did not have an overreaction at all. In spite of being in the lead of the race, the LB knows that things are far from finished. While Parsons leads, he makes it clear with a tweet that he is locked in for the whole season. Instead of celebrating or popping the champagne bottle. The Dallas Cowboys star took a page out of the great Kobe Bryant’s book.

The linebacker retweeted the announcement post, further adding his own caption to it. He chose to remind us that, with an entire half of the season to go, the job is still not done. Reiterating his laser-sharp focus for the rest of the season to come. While he also expresses his hunger to actually win the title this year, after coming ever so close in his rookie year.

Micah Parsons: inspired by Kobe Bryant?

In the 2009 NBA finals, the LA Lakers went up against the Orlando Magic. With Kobe leading the charge for the team in yellow. The first game was already in the bag of the Lakers. But after the margin of lead was reduced in the second game. The mamba was not too pleased. Even though they had won the second game as well, in which he had dominated. Kobe had only one thing to say in the post-match conference: “Job’s not finished.”  

read more: Kobe Bryant Once Took Up Daring 40 Mile Task in Peak Heat Just to Prove His Worth to Team USA Before the Olympics

And maybe Kobe knew better. They would go on to lose the 3rd game. But that would be the loss and after winning the next two games, the Lakers brought the championship home. Bryant was the recipient of the Finals MVP as well.

An impressive season so far

Parsons so far has been nothing short of amazing this season. In 8 games the LB has 8 sacks, which is the 5th highest in the league. With 36 total tackles from the player, he has two forced fumbles as well. Chipping on multiple fronts. The LB remains in the driving seat, being a crown favorite for the award.

However, he was also very close last season as well. He missed out on the DPOY, just losing out to TJ Watt. Finishing last season with 13 sacks, Parsons aimed at stepping up his game. And with his current number this season, he probably will.

Watch this story: Lawrence Taylor has words of praise for second year LB Micah Parsons, who is coming off as a defensive force.