When LeBron James takes the floor against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, it will be the start of a new age. James is officially past the entire decade of his 30s. “Until the day is over with I appreciate the love” he wrote in his post. And surely, a lot of love came in. Most importantly though was a kind and heartfelt message from his mother, Gloria James.

The Akron Hammer shares a special bond with his mother who raised him alone during his rough childhood in Akron. Now that he turned 40 and has changed not just his, but the lives of many around him, Gloria James spoke as a proud mother.

“Oh my son! There are sooooooo many great things that I can say about you. But they still wouldn’t be enough to say how proud and honored that I am and have been to be your Mother,” she wrote in her Instagram post. “Happy 40th Birthday. May God bless you with many more. Love you, Mama,”.

From raising him as a 16-year-old to now watching LeBron James flourish as a beacon of the sport, it’s no wonder the 56-year-old is a proud mother. Moreover, even the fans joined in to wish the ‘King’. However, they didn’t fail to acknowledge the person who put him in the position to succeed.

NBA fans celebrate LeBron James and his mother Gloria James

During the Paris Olympics, LeBron James spoke highly about his wife Savannah James for being the pillar that keeps him sane. “It wouldn’t be possible without her, I’ll tell you that,” he told Tom Brady. But prior to even touching a basketball in high school, it was Gloria James whose sacrifices paved the way for his glittering success. And the fans chose to highlight that fact.

“Thank you for raising him well. You are the true queen,” one fan wrote. Aside from working multiple jobs, Gloria James also did her best to shield her son from the adversity that came with living in Akron at the time. Hence, every opportunity he gets, even LeBron James does his part in heaping praise on the superwoman.

Notably, for millions around, James is the greatest player to grace basketball. But in his eyes, “That’s my GOAT” he said about his mother Gloria during the ESPYs last year. Likewise, while most fans wished the Lakers forward on his birthday, they too matched is sentiments.

“Thank you for raising a wonderful man, a decent and correct human being. The best son, the best husband, the best father and the best athlete of all time,” one comment passionately highlighted. And so far, it shows. James is rarely in any controversies and has done a sublime job of using his resources to improve society.

Another fan wrote, “Credit to you for being such a great mother! I hope you and Bron have a great day”. As a single parent at just 16, Gloria James’s challenges were immense. But with incredible strength and persistence, her only goal was to provide for LeBron James. And she did that and more, raising him into a brilliant man. 

Even though he never had a father-figure in his life, James never felt the absence of one. But most importantly, she set the precedent for what it means to be a parent. Now, a father of three, he uses those lessons everyday. “The most important thing that you can give a child is love and attention, and that’s what my mother gave me,” the four-time MVP said in an interview.

Hence, one fan wasn’t wrong when they said “This is just as much of a celebration for you as it is for him… a real Queen who raised a King”.