Davante Adams, former All-Pro wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, sparked debate on the Dan Patrick Show by asserting that LeBron James would have been one of the greatest <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL tight ends or wide receivers if he had pursued football professionally. Adams emphasized this during an offseason conversation about James, who was reportedly courted by multiple NFL teams early in his career.
Davante Adams says there’s “no question” LeBron James would’ve been one of the greatest WRs or TEs in NFL history if he had chosen to play football.
(via @dpshow) pic.twitter.com/zOlJWzuX1d
—Ari Meirov, Sports Journalist
Adams left no doubt about his belief in James’s potential:
He would have been one of the greatest receivers, tight ends of all time,
Adams said.
No question. I don’t know if you if you’ve ever seen him play football; he can fly too that’s the thing. He’s one of the fastest NBA players probably of all time. I never seen somebody cover space on the basketball court – maybe John Wall, Derrick Rose, something like that. But he’s up there with all of them.
LeBron James’ Exceptional Speed and Athleticism Would Translate Well
LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional athletes across all sports, with his combination of size, speed, and agility setting him apart. Adams’s comments highlight James’s rare physical gifts that would have made him a dangerous player on the football field, particularly in the tight end or wide receiver roles.
Despite never turning professional in football, James’s athleticism is so remarkable that Adams confidently ranks him alongside some of the fastest and most elusive basketball players like John Wall and Derrick Rose. This level of speed and spatial awareness would be invaluable in covering ground and creating separation in football.
Adams, who has earned six Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors, clearly speaks from experience, recognizing James’s potential to compete at the highest level of another sport. His opinion suggests that James could have been more than just good—he could have been legendary in the NFL.
The Challenges and Advantages of LeBron’s Height on the Football Field
Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, LeBron James would be among the tallest players in NFL history, second only to Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper at 6 feet 10 inches. While height typically benefits receivers by allowing them to out-reach defenders, being extremely tall can sometimes hinder a player’s agility and quickness due to a higher center of gravity.
Compare this with elite tall receivers like Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who stands 6 feet 5 inches and is considered likely Hall of Fame material, yet is still significantly shorter than James.
Given his extraordinary height and athletic skill set, James would most probably be suited to playing tight end, a position that values both size and receiving ability. However, it remains uncertain whether he would match or surpass the achievements of current legends in that role, such as Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski.
Speculation on What Could Have Been
While the idea of LeBron James as an NFL great is fascinating, it remains purely hypothetical. Whether James could have adapted his physical gifts exclusively for football and reached the pinnacle of success is uncertain. Yet, with someone like Davante Adams backing the claim, the possibility gains credibility.
Given LeBron James’s decision to focus on basketball, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder about the impact he might have had on the NFL. His combination of size, speed, and skill could have rewritten expectations for tight ends and receivers, pushing the boundaries of athletic versatility in professional sports.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does LeBron James sleep 12 hours?
A. Professional athletes burn more energy than most people, so they often sleep more than the usual eight hours. LeBron James, for example, averages 12 hours of sleep each night. It’s remarkable given how much elite athletes travel, making it tough to get enough rest.