One could say that American football and basketball are like apples and oranges – they’re pretty different sports, each requiring different skills to excel. But for some strange reason, the American sports media has gotten caught up in this intense debate about the NFL versus the NBA. It all started when former NBA star Austin Rivers opened a can of worms by suggesting that it’s easier for NBA players to switch to the NFL than it is for NFL players to jump into the NBA.

Austin Rivers further went on to state that there are 30 pro hoopers who can make the jump to the NFL right now. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the NFL community was offended by Rivers’ remarks. While some analysts like Lou Williams and Kendrick Perkins agree with Rivers’ take, other media figures like Shannon Sharpe have been openly opposed to it. Now, when you think of superhuman athleticism, LeBron James instantly comes to mind. But Sharpe believes that even LeBron lacks the skill set needed to thrive in the NFL.

During the latest episode of ESPN’s First Take, Sharpe got into a heated debate with former NBA champion, Kendrick Perkins. Big Perk suggested that there are multiple current NBA hoopers that can make the jump to the NFL. However, Sharpe disagreed. He said, “I will concede this: basketball players are more skilled… But you see the difference between football and basketball is a mentality.” On specifically being asked if LeBron James ‘could play football right now,’ the former tight end asserted, “absolutely not.”  

Sharpe added further, “We go out there every Sunday and we try to move a man against his will. We ain’t trying to run around people, we’re trying to run through people. Y’all (NBA players) aren’t built like that.” While there is certainly some truth to Shannon Sharpe’s remarks, there are numerous NBA players who either had opportunities or showed the potential to excel in the NFL. And LeBron James falls in that category.

LeBron James promising football career

Back in 1999, students of St. Vincent – St. Marys knew very well that LeBron James was a future NBA superstar in the making. However, what many weren’t quite privy of was LeBron’s prowess in football. As a 14-year-old freshman, James made it onto the Fighting Irish’s roster as an extra. And in true LeBron James’ fashion, he made an instant impact.

With the scoreboard reading zero during the 1999 Division IV qualifier, LeBron James made his varsity debut against Wickliffe, Medium highlights. He entered the game halfway through the third quarter and finished the game with 2 touchdowns and accumulated well over 100 rushing yards. Following his remarkable debut game, LeBron James played the sport regularly in his sophomore year. He became a star for the Fighting Irish, catching 42 passes for 752 yards and 11 touchdowns -tallying the total to 23 – during his sophomore year, even earning all-state honors.

This had even LeBron’s high school coach believe that ‘in the right situation, under right coach,’ LeBron could have been drafted in the NFL. Years later, with an established presence in the NBA, the Lakers’ star even received an offer from the Seattle Hawks and more recently had Doc Rivers say, he believed James could have made a great NFL player in ‘whatever position.’

So, then why did LeBron leave football?

He left football because of his mother’s vision. During a recent episode of the Barbershop Podcast, LeBron James said, “I played football my whole life until my senior year in high school. My mama saw the vision. She’s like ‘boy, we in the slums. I love coming to football games but we one year removed from going to the draft. So stop playing this.’ I was like ‘okay. Alright.’” 

This begs the question: If Gloria James didn’t stop LeBron from playing basketball, would he have become an NFL star? Let us know in the comments below!