USC unveils custom Kobe-inspired cleats to be worn against UCLA

The USC Trojans are donning special cleats against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday inspired by an iconic Kobe Bryant shoe.

The program unveiled the exclusively customized Nike Vapor Edge Kobe 6 "USC" cleat on Tuesday. It's a nod to the Kobe 6 Grinch sneakers the Los Angeles Lakers legend wore on Christmas Day 2010.

The all-black look is paired with a cardinal and gold Nike swoosh. Kobe's logo appears in gold on the tongues of the cleats, as well as his signature on the heel, no different than the basketball sneaker.

In 2010, Bryant wore the now famous Grinches against LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Christmas. It included a snakeskin like texture, a nod to Bryant's "Black Mamba" moniker.

Lakers star Anthony Davis wore a pair of the Grinch colorway on Dec. 25, 2020, the 10-year anniversary of its debut.

"Playing for the Lakers, it's the 10th anniversary, it only just lines up for me to be able to wear those shoes," Davis said in 2020. "It's definitely an honor."

Bryant-inspired cleats are nothing new to the gridiron. Earlier in the 2024 season, Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs wore cleats inspired by Nike Kobe 5s. The Grinch cleats are set to be officially released in football cleat form by Nike on Friday, according to Nice Kicks.

The Trojans will wear their version of the cleats against the Bruins in the 92nd annual Crosstown Rivalry game.