Could LeBron James Find Success in the NFL?

While watching the Cleveland Browns organization continue to embarrass themselves on Monday Night Football, Mike Tirico posed a question to his fellow commentators: what kind of football player would LeBron James be?

Now for those that don’t know who he is, LeBron James is the star player on the local Cleveland BASKETBALL team, the Cavaliers.

Now this was simply television fodder, as Tirico was trying to keep the audience’s interest in an otherwise meaningless fourth quarter—or so we thought.

Tuesday night, LeBron James had this to say about playing in the NFL: "If I put all my time and commitment into it, if I dedicated myself to the game of football, I could be really good, no matter what team I was on."

At first the notion of the best basketball player in the world trading in his headband for a chinstrap is laughable.

However, a closer look reveals it might not be as farfetched as it appears.

James was an all-state receiver at Saint Vincent Saint Mary High School in Ohio, so he has achieved success in the sport in the past.

Pound for pound, LeBron James is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the world. The man is 6-8, weights roughly 260-270 pounds of muscle, and runs like a gazelle.

Imagine being a linebacker or defensive back and having to cover someone with that size and speed.

Even with the physical gifts, it would still be ludicrous to think that James would find success in the NFL after not seeing the field since high school, right?

Let’s not forget, there already is a precedent of NFL players who made the jump from basketball in college to football in the pros without actually playing a down in college.

The most recognizable name from that list would be Antonio Gates, who was a standout basketball player at Kent State before finding huge success in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.

Now let’s not kid ourselves, there is no reason for LeBron James to walk away from all the guaranteed money in the NBA for the uncertainty of the NFL; especially if your coach is a certain Eric Mangini.

I just feel that the combination of LeBron James’ physical tools, his desire to be the best, as well as his desire to prove everyone wrong would make for a great transition.

If nothing else, it would give Browns fans something to cheer about.