It is well documented that LeBron James could have more than to stay in the NFL if he chose to follow that path. In an interview with Athletic recently, James revealed that he actually received invitations from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks to audition during the 2011 NBA blockade.
James is confident that he would have joined either team if he wanted to work out.
“I would have joined the team,” James told The Athletic. “I would have tried, but I would have joined the team. One thing, I don’t mind working for something, so if I had to try for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I had stayed at home and come home in Cleveland, I would have tried [out], but I would have made the team. I only know what I can do on the football field. Especially at that age. “
James said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones invited him to audition for the team. In addition, James recalls that the Seahawks’ head coach, Pete Carroll, sent him a personalized shirt that included an invitation to try on.
Of course, James did not accept an offer from either team and was ready to go when the NBA returned to play. However, James also told Athletic that he “seriously considered” joining the Cowboys. The members of James’ inner circle really convinced the Los Angeles Lakers star not to try to enter the NFL.
It certainly would have been interesting to see how James did on the football field. After all, the star striker played football at school, so it wasn’t like he had no experience.
As far as position is concerned, the tight end certainly could have served James due to his 1.80 m, 250 pound body. James also told Athletic that he had football offers in high school and was recruited by then-Notre Dame coach Urban Meyer.
Several NFL tight ends played basketball at the college level before just making the transition to football. Former Los Angeles Chargers football player Antonio Gates played basketball at Kent State, while Jimmy Graham at the Chicago Bears played basketball at Miami.
It would have been fun to see if James became a star on the football field after being so successful on the field.