LeBron James almost played … in the NFL

Paul Rouget, Media365: published on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 4:19 p.m.

LeBron James, entering his 19th NBA season, revealed he was contacted by NFL franchises during the 2011 strike.

Present at the Lakers media day on Tuesday, alongside his new teammates Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James is about to start his 19th season in the NBA, and his fourth in Los Angeles. But whoever is considered one of the best players in history could have had a whole different career … in another sport. We already knew that he had started with American football, his other passion, before opting for the orange ball. But in 2011, when he already had two NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player) titles, he almost joined the NFL! This is what he revealed Monday night on ESPN2, interviewed by former quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

« I really thought about it »

In 2011, a new lockout was declared by the NBA owners, and the players were therefore technically unemployed during this strike. Some had then gone into exile to continue playing, such as Tony Parker at ASVEL or Nicolas Batum in Nancy. LeBron James had been contacted by the Dallas Cowboys, of which he is a fan, and the Seattle Seahawks to go play in the NFL. “During the lockout, Jerry Jones (Cowboys boss) offered me a contract, and Pete Carroll in Seattle too. It excited me to think again about playing American football, but the deal with the NBA was quickly concluded and we quickly got back to the courts.. But I really thought about it. And I still have the jersey that Jerry (Jones) and Pete Carroll sent me in 2011. « We don’t know what that could have given, but given the size of » King James « (2.06m and 113kg) , he could have done damage …