Popular podcaster Joe Rogan once declared that a freak athlete like LeBron James can dominate any sport he chooses to play. Well, James was almost on the verge of testing out Rogan’s prophesy in 2011. During the NBA lockout at the time, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones extended a proposition that could have changed the history of both the NBA and the NFL.
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LeBron James, while on the MNF Manning Broadcast, revealed that Jerry Jones had offered him a contract to play for the Cowboys in 2011. With the NBA lockout underway, the possibility of LeBron playing in the NFL was certainly higher than ever. However, LeBron never gave up on basketball.
Although the move never came to fruition, LeBron certainly believed that he would have made the team.
Speaking about the opportunity, LeBron had said:
“I would have made the team. I would have tried out, but I would have made the team. One thing about it, I don’t mind working for something…I’d have tried, but I would have made the team. I just know what I’m capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age.”
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Football was clearly important to James. After he signed his Nike contract as an 18-year-old, LeBron bought a property worth $1,000,000 in Akron and built a 100 yd field in it. Lebron’s reasoning was his desire to play with his friends.
It is uncertain whether LeBron could’ve prospered in the NFL. But one thing’s for sure. The NBA would’ve lost one of its GOATs to football. King James would go on to win four NBA Championships after he rejected Jones’ offer in 2011.
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The aim of the Cowboys seemed pretty clear, the monetary value of having a global superstar like LeBron James on your roster is an opportunity nobody would be willing to turn down, especially a smart owner like Jerry Jones.
However, things have worked out well for James in the NBA. The premier athlete is now a billionaire, still sitting on his NBA throne at 39 years of age. As NBA fans, we’re glad he rejected Jones’ offer.
