Let’s go back 2 decades. It was 2003. LeBron James wasn’t King James then. He was taking baby steps in the NBA. A child watched him in amazement, trying to copy his moves. But he was too small. As the child grew, he understood one thing about himself. Basketball was not for him. In fact, he chose the tougher, more physical game of football. Did you guess who are we talking about? It’s none other than the Rams WR Puka Nacua. He had watched the NBA’s treasured player while growing up. Despite himself being a superstar in the NFL, he still couldn’t help but get mesmerized by King’s presence.

While talking to the Patriots legend Julian Edelman on the Games with Names podcast on April 9, the receiver revealed how his wish got fulfilled this off-season. The legend asked the coolest off-season thing he did this year. The WR’s reply was, “It had to be a 100% meeting LeBron James.” Edelman gasped the NBA legend’s name in surprise.

Puka Nacua then revealed that they met when Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. During their home game against Utah Jazz, the NFL player was taking photos with his fans when the forward came out of the tunnel. Even James was surprised to see Nacua and said, “Yo, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” Seeing this, the WR got excited and replied, “I’ve only come to watch you.”

The fun encounter didn’t stop there. The NFL star even rolled up the sleeves of his hoodies while having a chat with the NBA legend. At last, his words, “Every ounce and every cell in my body was just screaming.” That’s the legacy that no one can ever take away from LeBron James. Several stars like Puka Nacua have grown up watching him. His impact was and still is immeasurable in just numbers.

While King James has proved that age is just a number, the NFL star isn’t inspired much by that. He takes lessons from his own life and has a different set of goals.

Puka Nacua talks about post-retirement goals

Just for the starters, the receiver is only 23 years old. But he surprised everyone by announcing that he would retire by the age of 30. It was a claim so brazen that many legends wanted the Rams to fire him or not extend him. However, looks like he is too excited to follow in his idol’s footsteps.

The WR joked with Edelman that he would like to play basketball after retiring. Puka Nacua added, “I wanna go play overseas basketball. Like, I’m sure I could go to another country that only 25 percent of the world’s ever heard [of] before, get ownership in the team and I’m gonna get 25 shots up a night. I’m gonna be the coach. I’m gonna sub my own minutes in, and then I’m gonna make sure that we’re getting ticket sales at the end of it, like trying to work some actual business.”

That’s funny. He could even get some help from his idol if he is serious about his plan. Jokes apart, the real reason is what he said while making the announcement (or a more believable one). The NFL star wants to enjoy the money he is making in the league. He wants to retire injury-free and be able to enjoy his wealth. He wants to have a family and live with his children, fulfilling his duties as a father. But will he really do that? That remains the question that might prevail for the next 7 years.