Austin Rivers, with his recent take on the possibility of NBA players being successful in the NFL and not the other way around, rubbed a lot of football enthusiasts the wrong way. Randy Moss, JJ Watt, and James Jones have all hit back at the former NBA guard and Ryan Clark is the latest one to join the list.

Ryan Clark recently said on “The Pivot Podcast” that there might be NBA players who may succeed in the NFL, but the number won’t reach 5, let alone 30. According to the ESPN analyst, the mental toughness to play football is not something a basketball player can possess. Jason Kelce chimed in on the take on social media and declared that LeBron James could be the only anomaly to that.

“I love this argument and passion from Ryan, and as a football player my mind is screaming hell yea!!! But, if I was an NFL GM, and it was an option, I’d sign Lebron today and within one offseason he’d be the greatest redzone threat in the NFL,” wrote the recently retired center.

According to the former Eagles star, LeBron James has more than what it takes to make it in the NFL and can become the greatest offensive threat. Given LeBron’s supreme athletic abilities, even at 39, the statement from Kelce is not an outrageous one.

 

LeBron James’ Connection With Football

Throughout the NFL season, LeBron James was seen making his weekly picks for the games on social media and closely interacted with the fans regarding all things football. LBJ signed with DraftKings in January this year to make weekly football picks apart from his ambassadorial duties.

LeBron has gone on record to express his desire to make a switch to the NFL and, given his high school track record, it is of no surprise. The 20-time NBA All-Star played as a wide receiver during his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. By his second year, he was named to the All-State first team and was the best football prospect in Ohio.

Dubbed the taller version of Randy Moss, LeBron racked up over 100 catches, more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in the two years he played. After that, he focused on basketball and the rest is history.

LeBron regularly shows off his love for the Ohio State Buckeyes by handing out cleats and various sports merchandise and attending their college football games. What could’ve happened if LeBron played football is a discussion well worth to the imaginative ones, but given the King’s sporting brilliance, he just might have had some records in the NFL as well.