Many have wondered what would have been if LeBron James pursued a career in professional football instead of basketball. Former Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins recently proposed an ideal position for the Los Angeles Lakers forward if he were in the NFL.
NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson asked Jenkins on Sunday which NBA player could seamlessly transition to football, and he readily mentioned King James. The two-time Super Bowl champion said LeBron could ideally play as a tight end but reiterated that if it’s “only in a red zone.”
“I think [if] you put LeBron in a red zone, I don’t know how many guys are going to jump with him,” Jenkins said. “But only in a red zone. He’s going to get tackled in an open field. He’s not going to be able to protect himself.”
Jenkins also noted that James’ 6’8” tall frame may hinder his effectiveness. “I think that’s the hard part about being tall in football. You can’t protect yourself. That’s a hard thing. But in a red zone, you’re not getting tackled. Just go up, catch the ball.”
King James was a multisport athlete in high school. Aside from being a basketball prospect at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, he was also on the school’s football team as a wide receiver, ranked as the first-overall football prospect in the state of Ohio. He reportedly received college football scholarship offers from prestigious schools, including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, and Alabama.
LeBron James would eventually sit out his senior high school football season, shifting his focus to basketball and becoming arguably the greatest player in the NBA.
LeBron James’ former high school football teammates tell stories about him
In 2017, Bleacher Report interviewed two of LeBron James’ former football teammates at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School. Matt MacDonald and Chris Wooley recalled how dominant James was in the gridiron
MacDonald recounted how LeBron would regularly capitalize on his size to make otherwise difficult receptions.
“You look around the field, and it doesn’t matter if he’s double-covered. It doesn’t matter if he’s triple-covered. That’s where the ball is going,” McDonald said. “It’s at a point where he was so much better than everyone else that not even the big guys could hurt him.”
Wooley would add that the would-be Laker elevated his teammates with his leadership and in-field skills. “It was like watching him with subpar NBA players now. He makes everybody on the field believe in themselves more.”
James only played two full high school football seasons, recording 27 career touchdowns and 99 career receptions. He earned all-state honors in both seasons.
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