"I got a good arm man” - Lebron James’ son Bronny James once disclosed what position he would play in football
Bronny James was drafted into the NBA on Thursday night by the LA Lakers as the 55th overall pick. According to reports, his agent, Rick Paul, told a few teams not to draft him so that the former USC point guard could follow in the footsteps of his legendary dad, LeBron James, and play alongside him in the league.
While his family has already built a legacy in basketball, Bronny once revealed the position he would have played if he played football. Speaking at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum last season, he said:
“I would probably play like QB,” Bronny James said. “I got a good arm man. I can read… I can read defense and stuff. I'd probably play QB.”
LeBron James won't let Bronny play football
While Bronny James claimed he would have been a quarterback if he had played football, there was little chance he could have played the sport in college or professionally. His father, LeBron James, made it known in 2014 that he won’t allow any of his children to play football until high school.
“We don’t want them to play in our household right now until they understand how physical and how demanding the game is," LeBron James told ESPN. "Then they can have their choice in high school. We’ll talk over it."
LeBron had his reasons for not allowing his children to engage in football, primarily due to the health dangers related to the sport. The NBA legend believes he isn't the only parent who holds that view.
"It's a safety thing,” LeBron said. “As a parent, you protect your kids as much as possible. I don't think I'm the only one that's not allowing his kids to play football. It's just that I'm LeBron James and it gets put in the headlines for no reason."
LeBron himself played football in high school
Although LeBron James wouldn't allow his kids to play football, he was involved in the sport during his high school days. However, he noted that he played the game as it provided him with an escape opportunity from the inner city.
"I needed a way out,'' James said. "My kids don't need a way out. They're all right. I needed a way out when I was a kid. I tried to do whatever it took to get out. That's my excuse."
James was a wide receiver with all-state honors during his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. However, he stopped playing the sport and focused on basketball after his junior season due to a wrist injury sustained during the offseason.