The King received a formal offer from Jerry Jones to join the Cowboys.
Michael Jordan isn’t the only NBA legend with multi-sport prowess. While Jordan’s brief stint in minor league baseball is well known, fewer people recall that LeBron James had a legitimate shot at becoming an NFL wide receiver.
James has long been recognized as a rare athletic talent, not just within the NBA but across sports in general. Like Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Danny Ainge before him, James demonstrated exceptional ability in multiple sports, particularly during his high school years.
During his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, James excelled on both the basketball court and football field, playing wide receiver with remarkable hands and an uncanny ability to find the end zone.
In three years of high school, James caught 99 passes for 1,912 yards and 27 touchdowns. The numbers don’t seem so impressive until you remember he did it while being considered a five-star prospect and the nation’s top basketball player.
The 2011 NBA lockout-James’ NFL moment?
The 2011 NBA lockout posed significant challenges for players. With team owners and the Players Association locked in legal disputes, athletes struggled to stay in game-ready shape, uncertain of when they’d return to action.
During this period, James seriously considered making the leap to football. Jerry Jones saw the potential and sent him a contract to join de Dallas Cowboys. “I know he got a contract from Jerry Jones that he framed and put in his office,” James’ business partner, Maverick Carter, revealed at the time.