NBA legend LeBron James shares message for life-changing high school football coach's Pop Warner National Title victory

By Rotsen Rick Tidoy

Modified Dec 23, 2024 20:35 GMT

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LA Lakers superstar LeBron James has built a reputation for always giving back to the people who helped him become one of the greatest basketball players ever. When one of those people helped him when he was young and won the Pop Warner National Title for the U11 division, LeBron celebrated, too.

LeBron James celebrates old friend's national title victory (Credits: Instagram/kingjames)

"Congrats to my young kings @n.e.o.flight on the chip and my brother Coach @frankiewalkersr. Too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡," LeBron James's caption for his post on Instagram Stories.

Frank Walker Sr. coaches the Ohio-based youth football team, the N.E.O. Flight. On Dec. 14, the U11 team defeated the Ft. Myers Firecats 19-9 to capture the 2024 Pop Warner Championship for the U11 division.

Pop Warner is considered the "Super Bowl of youth football" and is much more important. The Flight had to defeat three teams to win the championship, kicking off their campaign against the New Haven Steelers with a massive 27-0 victory in their opening game.

N.E.O. Flight faced a more formidable challenge in the semi-finals against the Colorado Springs Vikings, narrowly winning 20-16. This victory set the stage for the championship game against the Fort Myers Jr Firecats.

Frank Walker Sr., is now one of LeBron James's business partners, even opening the clothing store "Unknwn" in Miami, Florida together. They have been friends since childhood, with Walker being one of LeBron's oldest and closest friends.

Frank Walker Sr.'s family took a young LeBron James in so he could focus on his studies and basketball

LeBron James warms up before an NBA game for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Credits: Getty)

The family of Frank Walker Sr. changed LeBron James's life in more ways than one. The youth football coach provided a home and a stable family environment for the soon-to-be NBA superstar, who would stay at the Walkers' residence during the weekdays so he could focus on his studies and basketball. He would then go back home to his mom during the weekends.

In his book, "LeBron James: The Making of an MVP," the Lakers star stated that living with the Walkers was an "unbelievable experience" and it would go on to shape him into the person he is today.

When Lebron missed over half of the school year, the Walker family stepped up and took him in so he could attend school regularly. Because of this, the "young boy from Akron" soon began to excel not just in basketball but also academically.