LeBron James may be recovering from injury, but the Los Angeles Lakers star still managed to take center stage on Monday night, this time as a fan.
Watching the Atlanta Falcons take on the Buffalo Bills, LeBron couldn’t resist reacting to Bijan Robinson’s electrifying 81-yard touchdown run that lit up Monday Night Football.
Robinson‘s burst through the Buffalo defense was nothing short of spectacular. The 22-year-old took a handoff from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., slipped past one tackle near midfield, and blazed down the sideline untouched to the end zone.
The run, the longest of his career and the NFL’s longest this season, sent the Falcons up 21-7 in the second quarter and left even the game’s biggest stars in awe.
“Bijan so COLD!!!!!!!!!” LeBron posted on X, echoing the sentiment of millions who watched Robinson shred Buffalo’s defense in real time.
It wasn’t just a flash of brilliance. Robinson dominated the first half with 138 rushing yards on 12 carries, along with two receptions for another 14 yards.
It marked his 11th straight game with at least 90 scrimmage yards, the longest active streak in the league, and a sign that the Falcons‘ second-year star is becoming one of football’s most consistent game-changers.
LeBron’s football roots make his reaction hit different
For LeBron, the admiration carries extra weight. Before becoming one of the greatest basketball players in history, he was a two-time All-State wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Ohio.
His combination of size, speed, and hands made him a legitimate football prospect, and his old highlight reels continue to resurface whenever he shows interest in the NFL.
That background explains why LeBron‘s take carries a certain authority, as he knows a great athlete when he sees one.
In recent years, the NBA legend has become known for hyping standout NFL players, from Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts to Justin Jefferson, but Robinson‘s performance may have vaulted him to the top of LeBron’s watchlist.
Robinson‘s breakout moment wasn’t just about style; it was about substance. After a promising rookie campaign, he’s evolved into the heart of Atlanta’s offense.
Head coach Raheem Morris recently described him as “the best player in the NFL right now,” a claim that’s starting to sound less like hyperbole and more like fact.
“Every time he touches the ball, something happens,” Morris told reporters after the game. “He’s the kind of player who changes the energy of the entire team.”
Robinson’s success has also silenced critics who questioned the Falcons‘ decision to draft him eighth overall in 2023, a rarity for a running back in today’s NFL.
Instead of fading under pressure, he’s thrived, leading the league in explosive plays and reaffirming that star running backs still have a place in modern offenses.
From sideline to spotlight
For the Falcons, the 30-17 win over Buffalo was a statement victory. For Robinson, it was another step toward superstardom.
And for LeBron James, it was the kind of performance that reminded him why he once dreamed of NFL glory himself.
LeBron‘s praise sparked thousands of reactions online, with fans joking that the Lakers forward might be tempted to suit up for the Falcons after seeing Robinson run wild.
While that’s unlikely, the connection between two generational athletes, one dominating the hardwood, the other rewriting expectations on the gridiron, felt fitting.
LeBron may be nursing an injury, but his eye for greatness remains sharp. And on a Monday night in Atlanta, greatness had a name: Bijan Robinson.
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