LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, recently discussed how close he came to pursuing a career in the NFL during the 2011 NBA lockout. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, hosted by Super Bowl champions Jason and Travis Kelce, James revealed his serious consideration of switching sports.
“I absolutely thought about it,” James admitted. “I didn’t know when the league would return, and I was young enough to play on the field.” Despite vivid dreams of football, James acknowledged he never quite made it to kickoff, noting, “That’s when I realize I’m not supposed to be there.”
James, a standout wide receiver in high school, earned First Team All-State honors in football and was highly recruited by top college programs. Urban Meyer, then an assistant coach at Notre Dame, recalled wanting to offer James a scholarship immediately after watching his tape.
Although basketball ultimately became his career path, James frequently wonders what might have been. He likened his potential NFL style to a combination of Rob Gronkowski, Randy Moss, and Calvin Johnson due to his size and athleticism.
When discussing whether transitioning from basketball to football or vice versa would be harder, James argued that NBA players would find it easier to adapt to the NFL. “The hardest part is getting used to being hit again,” he remarked, reflecting on his own experience of switching between sports during high school.
James also suggested current NBA stars Russell Westbrook and Anthony Edwards would excel in football if they chose to switch.
Despite the allure of touchdowns, James’ journey in the NBA has cemented his legacy. Nonetheless, his connection to football remains a compelling “what if” in the realm of sports history.
