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LeBron James Claims He 'Would Have Made It' In The NFL

LeBron James Claims He 'Would Have Made It' In The NFL

The four-time champ even admitted that two top NFL teams were chasing him during the NBA's infamous lockout in 2011.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

It's a topic of conversation that has been raised before by sports tragics and analysts alike: How would LeBron James fare in the NFL?

On the court, he's arguably one of the most dominant athletes in history.

But could his sheer power and physical presence be transferred onto the football field?

Many believe the answer would be a resounding 'yes', including LeBron himself.

The four-time NBA champ admits that two top NFL franchises were chasing his signature back in the day - and he has no doubt that he "would have made the team."

Before being drafted into the NBA at the tender age of 18, LeBron was making waves on the court for St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Akron, Ohio.

LeBron's dominant high school basketball career is very well documented, but when he wasn't attracting the attention of NBA scouts by dunking on teenagers' heads during games, he was breaking defensive backs' ankles on the football field as a star wide receiver.

And by all accounts, he was just as good at scoring touchdowns as he was at effortlessly shattering high school basketball records.

PA

At the time, a decorated career in the NBA ended up being LeBron's calling - and after 18 season in the league and four championship rings later, it's probably safe to say he made the right decision.

But the 36-year-old admits his eyes began wandering in 2011 during the NBA's infamous lockout and he even considered venturing into the NFL while the season was postponed.

"I would have made the team," James told Christopher Kamrani and Bill Oram of The Athletic.

"I would have tried out, but I would have made the team.

"One thing about it, I don't mind working for something, so if I would have had to try out for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I'd have stayed home and went back home to Cleveland, I'd have tried (out), but I would have made the team. I just know what I'm capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age."

Swapping the baggy shorts and sleeveless jerseys for a helmet and pads never ended up eventuating and LeBron went on to win back-to-back NBA championships with the Miami Heat.

As for the his NFL career, at least one of the teams he came close to joining saw some success.

Just a few years after showing interest in the NBA's biggest star, the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl with the help of one of the most stacked defences of all-time in the 'Legion of Boom'.

With Russell Wilson at quarterback and Marshawn Lynch running the football, the team's offence was equally-as-dangerous too - but just imagine if they had LeBron as their wide receiver.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter / NFL / Dallas Cowboys

Topics: American Football, NBA, nba news, Miami Heat, NFL, lebron james, Australia