LeBron James Once Refused to Call Tom Brady the GOAT Athlete: “I’m Not Saying He’s Not Great. He’s the Greatest Football Player of All Time”

As the news of legendary NFL quarter-back Tom Brady retiring continues to send shock waves across the sporting world, several analysts are questioning whether we have lost one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. However, Lakers legend LeBron James once refused to call the now 44-year-old the ‘GOAT’. However, he admitted that the starlet is the best in business when it comes to his own sport.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowl titles; an unthinkable feat. With the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady set the highest possible standard for defenders in the league.

Meanwhile, LeBron James is a household name for greatness. A soon-to-be 18-time NBA All-Star, James is still chasing Michael Jordan’s gigantic record of 6 NBA championships. But why did the now 37-year-old disapprove of the fact that Brady was the best of all sports?

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LeBron James once refused to term Tom Brady as the GOAT

Brady has enjoyed success in the NFL for over two decades now. As he recently announced his retirement, celebrities all around the globe congratulated him on a brilliant career. So much so that, former NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal even asked the powerhouse to return and play another season. On the other hand, LeBron made a bold statement back in 2017, claiming that it is difficult to call a football player the greatest. And he had a peculiar argument for the same.

“My only argument with a football player being the greatest athlete of all time is that they only gotta play one side of the floor man,” felt the legendary NBA star. He later continued, “For us [basketball players], every single night, you gotta know both sides.” 

Although LeBron’s comments may come off as negative, he went on to heap praise on Brady. “I’m not saying he’s not great. He’s the greatest football player of all time,” he mentioned.

Do you think either LeBron James or Tom Brady is the greatest athlete of all time? If not, who do you think reigns supreme? Mention your picks down in the comments.

READ MORE: Shocked Shaquille O’Neal Urges Tom Brady to Take Back Retirement Decision: “Get Your Butt Up and Do One More Year”