LeBron James confident he ‘would’ve made the team’ if he took up Seahawks tryout invite in 2011

During the 2011 NBA lockout, it was a famous story that LeBron James was thinking about, and training for playing in the NFL. James said that he seriously considered going to a try out for his favorite team the Dallas Cowboys amid the frustration of an NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA season being pushed back.

Not only did LeBron have an offer to try out with the Cowboys, but he also had an offer from the Seattle Seahawks as well.

It was a famous story that Pete Carroll sent LeBron a personalized Seahawks jersey, but along with the jersey traveled an invitation to try out for the team.

In a recent article for The Athletic speaking about his potential short NFL career, James 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, so if I would have had to try out for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I’d have stayed home and went back home to Cleveland, I’d have tried (out), but I would have made the team.”

As he was possibly the best athlete in the world at the time and played football growing up, I can’t say that LeBron would be wrong. Also, let’s assume that the 6’ 9” 250 lbs James would have been a tight end, I would not have been surprised if he started over Zach Miller and Anthony McCoy in 2011.

Here are some of his highlights from 20 years ago.