After 17 years in the NBA (and counting), LeBron James has become one of the most polarizing athletes in the history of sports. His body, frame, and natural athletic ability has led him to unprecedented success in his field. And while Bron could have played many different sports, it’s safe to say he made the right decision sticking with basketball.
But did you know he had an offer to join the NFL in 2011? According to James, in a recent interview with The Athletic, he had invitations from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks to try out for each team, and he’s confident he would have made it.
“I would have made the team,” James told The Athletic. “I would have tried out, but I would have made the team. One thing about it, I don’t mind working for something, so if I would have had to try out for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I’d have stayed home and went back home to Cleveland, I’d have tried, but I would have made the team.
I just know what I’m capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age.”
It sounds like cockiness from Bron, but it might not actually be that far-fetched.
He was a star receiver for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, and apparently had multiple recruitment letters from colleges who wanted him to come to play football for them.
Put that alongside his athleticism, strong frame, durable body, and it’s kind of easy to see how he could have been successful on the pro-football field.
Fast forward to 2011, with the lockout-shortened season pushing the start date to November, and it was seemingly the perfect time for Bron to give the NFL a run.
Of course, their attempt to steal basketball’s golden child failed, and would James would eventually go on to win four NBA titles in the 10 years that followed.
