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“I Was Scared”: When LeBron James Shared a Powerful Message About Parenting His First Child Bronny in Emotional Video

Dylan Edenfield
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) slaps hands with guard Bronny James (center right) during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center

Lebron James is now teammates with his oldest son, Bronny, on the Los Angeles Lakers. The 20-year-old rookie has grown in front of our eyes throughout his father’s legendary career. However, LeBron revealed how he initially was more concerned with his ability to be a father than he was with being a great basketball player.

In an Instagram reel from nearly two years ago, Lebron broke down his personal struggles and fears with becoming a father. Unlike his road to becoming a Hall of Fame athlete, the path to being a great father was much less straightforward. “I always knew I could be a great ball player,” LBJ began, “Then I had you [Bronny], and I had no idea how I was gonna be as a father.” 

Not only was this a completely new experience for a 20-year-old LeBron, but it was also a fear-inducing one. “I’ll be honest, I was scared,” the Lakers star continued. However, despite the unavoidable fear that first comes when welcoming a child into the world, LeBron persisted in being the best dad he could be.

 

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Through a montage with Bronny, LeBron explained how as he watched his son grow, he grew as well. The 40-year-old underlined his improved patience, commitment, and joy. The 20-time All-Star shared how the things he learned from basketball, he actually learned to understand through his son.

LeBron James shared a touching montage with Bronny

The reel takes us back to a young, inexperienced LeBron who is learning how to be a first-time father. Without a father figure of his own growing up, James undoubtedly wanted to be the best influence he could for his children, which he showed through the reel of pictures and videos.

The montage depicts several memorable moments for young Bronny, including playing violin, watching his favorite show, or naturally, playing basketball with his dad.

LBJ was able to break a generational mold within his family, working his way to becoming a multi-millionaire and the face of the biggest basketball league in the world. While he was able to accomplish greatness on his own, being an NBA star in itself doesn’t make someone a great man.

In the emotional video, LeBron thanks his son for helping him become a better version of himself. “I am who I am today because of YOU! Thank you, son,” James captions the video. Without the gift of his firstborn, the King understands that his life would look much different and likely emptier today.

Post Edited By:Sameen Nawathe

About the author

Dylan Edenfield

Dylan Edenfield

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Dylan Edenfield is an NBA journalist at The SportRush. He has written 500+ basketball articles for various websites since starting the venture in 2016, as a freshman in high school. Dylan has been a writer and graphic designer for PalaceofPistons.com, a Detroit Pistons-based Substack and podcast, since 2016. As an avid Detroit Pistons fan, contributing and building relationships with fellow writers truly sparked his love for NBA coverage. Dylan graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in December 2023 with a Communications major in Media Arts & Studies and a minor in Sports Management. Dylan hoped to combine these two focuses to break into the professional sports journalism landscape. Outside of sports, Dylan is an avid gamer and occasionally likes to try other art forms, including drawing and painting. When it comes to something he creates, Dylan goes the extra mile to ensure his work is as good as it can be.

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