Even if you weren’t aware, it probably doesn’t come as a shock to learn that LeBron James played football while in High School. Rarely, if ever, does a world-class, freakish athlete of his caliber grow up playing only the sport they eventually become most associated with. Another guy that comes to mind is Randy Moss, who was a very good basketball player in High School. At 6’5″, Moss was probably the fastest guy in the NFL during his prime.
In the wake of the news that the first two weeks of the NBA season have been cancelled, players are undoubtedly becoming restless. I’m sure flying all over the country just to play in a Pro-Am/charity game gets old. Perhaps that’s the case with LeBron. Yesterday, James sent a tweet to ESPN Senior NFL Analyst, John Clayton to gauge when the NFL’s free agency period expires:
@KingJames: @ClaytonESPN When is the deadline for a team to sign a free agent?
That caused a bit of a stir yesterday, but I wouldn’t get too carried away with that. I’m sure LeBron was just bored and was just trying to be funny. He’s well aware that anything short of him going to the bathroom has become newsworthy, so he was just having fun with everyone. A few weeks ago in fact, LeBron made a return trip to his High School in Akron and practiced with them in full pads. The one caveat, however, was that the team wasn’t allowed to hit/tackle him. So if he wasn’t interested in contact from high schoolers (for obvious reasons), I don’t think he’s going to line up opposite Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis and the like.
John Clayton responded to LeBron on TV last night. He actually answered James’ question, stating that free agents still have time to sign. Then his last sentence was, “you may want to avoid going to the Eagles. You’re already on a dream team.” Very original, John.
Then for some strange reason, Seattle Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll decided to jump in and entertain LeBron’s tweet to Clayton. Knowing Carroll, he probably is in fact interested in bringing LeBron in. Here are Carroll’s tweets to LeBron:
@PeteCarroll: hey @KingJames are you aware of what the League’s minimum is?
@KingJames: @PeteCarroll yeah more than what I’m making now Coach
@PeteCarroll: @KingJames I kind of think of you as a touchdown maker but is it true you think of yourself as a pass rusher?
@KingJames: @PeteCarroll TD maker for sure!
What’s the moral of all of this? Please end the lockout soon! Here’s some of LeBron playing football in High School:
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
