It’s been well-documented that LeBron James could’ve more than held his own in the NFL if he chose to go that route. In an interview with the Athletic recently, James revealed that he actually received invitations from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks to try out during the NBA lockout in 2011.
James is confident that he would’ve made either team if he chose to work out.
“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 [out], but I would have made the team. I just know what I’m capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age.”
Bengel, C. (2021, February 16). LeBron James reveals he had two NFL tryout offers during 2011 Nba lockout: ‘I would’ve made the team’. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-reveals-he-had-two-nfl-tryout-offers-during-2011-nba-lockout-i-wouldve-made-the-team/
This report about LeBron James being offered a tryout by multiple teams in 2011 came out earlier this week. Of course, there was debate over whether or not LeBron could play in the NFL. I am going to end that skepticism right now.
It’s a slam dunk that LeBron James could have played in the NFL. In 2011, LeBron was 26 years old, which is considered to be an athletic prime for most skill position players in the NFL. Considering LeBron’s listed size (6’9″, 250 pounds) and athletic ability, he would have made for an excellent tight end. And what quarterback wouldn’t want to throw to him?
It’s not like we haven’t seen other players come off the hardwood to have successful careers, either. Antonio Gates, heard of him? Gates didn’t play football in college; he played basketball. He obviously was nowhere near the hooper Lebron is, but he put together a NFL career that will someday land him in Canton. Another basketball player-turned-tight end is Jimmy Graham. Graham, like Gates, played college basketball. However, he did play one season of football at the University of Miami. Graham quickly became one of the best tight ends in the league. At the age of 27, Graham led the league in receiving touchdowns with 16. While Graham would never be confused with LeBron on the court, he is comparable in stature with a listed height and weight of 6’7″ and 265 pounds, respectively.
Graham used that size as well as his athleticism to dominate opposing defenses.
I could definitely see LeBron having a similar impact on the gridiron. Just take a look at this video from Sports Science (RIP) for detail into just how athletic LeBron is.
That explosiveness at that size would make him a real threat on the football field. You can also see it on display in LeBron’s high school football playing days.
Now some of you are going to criticize him for flopping or not being physical enough to play football. First off, let’s not act like there isn’t flopping in football. This is from this past season’s NFC Championship.
Not a great angle, but you can clearly see a dive that would make even a soccer player proud.
I don’t mean to single out receivers because we even have defensive backs doing it, too.
Sometimes you just have to sell the call.
Now back to LeBron. Can he be physical? How about him fighting through the screen of the brick house that is Carlos Boozer?
Hey, Boozer may have won that exchange, but LeBron took it like a champ. It shows that he can take a blow.
If you don’t think LeBron could have played in the NFL, you are either blind or you are that big of a hater, or both. I, myself, am not the biggest LeBron fan, but I would have loved to see what he could have done in the NFL. I would be willing to bet LeBron would have had more success on the gridiron than Michael Jordan did on the baseball diamond.
And why stop at football?
SHEEESH! What can’t LeBron do?
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 