Before LeBron James became one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he was already a two-sport phenom. At St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, LeBron wasn’t just a basketball prodigy he was a football standout, wearing the number 9 and lining up as a wide receiver. His mix of height, speed, and athleticism left everyone stunned, from fans in the stands to college recruiters watching from afar.
Standing at 6’8″ and weighing around 225 pounds, LeBron towered over his peers even in high school. Combine that with a 44-inch vertical and a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and you had a once-in-a-generation athlete. Coaches often said that if LeBron had pursued football, he could’ve easily transitioned into one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history. And here he showed exactly why expectations were so high for him in football.
Scouts saw NFL potential in LeBron James
LeBron’s performances on the field caught the attention of major college football programs like Notre Dame and Ohio State. Scouts marveled at his hands, physicality, and route-running rare traits for a high school athlete, let alone one focused primarily on basketball. Many believed he could’ve gone straight to college football and been a top draft pick if he had chosen the gridiron instead of the court.
The video shows LeBron, wearing No. 9, making jaw-dropping plays as a teenager leaping over defenders, pulling down difficult catches, and celebrating like a natural-born competitor. The footage quickly went viral, with fans calling him “the NFL star that never was.”
LeBron ultimately decided to focus on basketball after his junior year, a decision that changed sports history. Yet, those who saw him play football firsthand never forgot his potential.
Today, with multiple NBA championships and MVP awards, LeBron remains a living legend but every now and then, fans can’t help but wonder: what if he’d stayed on the field instead of the court?
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