Whilst it is probably just a tantalizing flirtation between LeBron James and the NFL, personally I cannot help but to be caught up in it all.
Only a few days ago I wrote something on the possibility of The King joining the NFL in what has been a conversational piece for many, many years.
To add to the personal excitement for myself is that not only might I be seeing my favourite athlete performing in the near future, and in a truly exceptional sport that could catapult him to a level unreached by any athlete perhaps in history, but my NFL team is the Seattle Seahawks, who have responded to James’ intrigue through the journalists best friend, Twitter.
Seattle’s much loved and fountain of youth drinking head coach, Pete Carroll, responded to James’ intriguing questioning of ESPN’s John Clayton regarding the rules of free agency before the trade deadline.
“hey @KingJames are you aware of what the League’s rookie minimum is?”
To which James replied:
“yeah more than what I’m making now Coach.”
The conversation continued as Carroll probed James on what the 2 time NBA MVP would bring to the NFL table.
“I kinda think of you as a touchdown maker but is it true you think of yourself as a pass rusher?”
James:
“TD maker for sure!”
Pete Carroll then tweeted LeBron James an image of what his Seahawks jersey might look like:
My goodness that is beautiful.
So the chances of it actually happening? Pretty damn slim.
Obviously there are two main issues.
1) LeBron, whilst he was a standout high school football player (McDonalds All-American), does not even have college experience, let alone professional, and would have to really commit himself to learning an entire playbook (despite it being likely he would be a situational player), condition himself appropriately and basically completely change his lifestyle. I think he could pretty comfortably do all of that given his talent level and obvious competitive character, so that brings me to the second issue.
Insurance.
2) Andrew Bogut was set to join the Sydney Kings (my home town team) in Australia’s NBL competiton. Everything was in place but because of his large NBA contract, the insurance company and powers that be completely cocked it up and left everyone bitterly disappointed.
I can see the same thing happening with LeBron James. The guy makes more money than Andrew Bogut and is not just joining a different competition, rather an entirely different code of sport. A sport he has not played competitively since high school.
He is the best player in the game of basketball, which not only increases the appeal but increases the risk and the importance upon which the Miami Heat and the insurance company will place on him.
It will be ultimately out of LeBron James’ hands whether this happens or not, as seen in the case of Andrew Bogut. If he does decide this is what he wants to do, which may mean he would be unavailable for the Heat if the season does start earlier than expected (by earlier than expected I mean February) but that would be another part of the negotiation.
No matter whether you hate LeBron James, love LeBron James or for some strange reason sit on the fence (there aren’t too many of them) I believe I can say with 100% certainty that each and every one of us would LOOOOVE to see LeBron James have a go in the NFL.
He may be the greatest athlete in the history of the NBA. He surely is one of the greatest athlete’s in the history of sport. 6’9, 260lbs, he would run probably a 4.2 or maybe lower in his 40, his vertical leap would probably be 45″ or perhaps even higher. He is just a freak of nature.
He obviously has great hands and great footwork, meaning the transition from small forward to wide receiver wouldn’t be as difficult as first thought.
This may be LeBron having some fun at all of our expenses.
He may be serious but there is too much risk for it to get done.
Nonetheless there may not be a more interesting story in the next few decades than LeBron James potentially joining the NFL.
I am praying that it is to my Seahawks.
Sidney Rice, Mike Williams, LeBron James.
Are you kidding me?
Alley oops in the red zone.