NFL icon Jason Kelce has given his take on the heated NFL-NBA crossover debate, saying he could see LeBron James thrive on the football field.
ESPN analyst and former NBA point guard Austin Rivers sparked the discussion earlier this month when he suggested that basketball stars would find it easier to transition to football than the other way around.
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Ryan Clark, who also works for ESPN, rejected the claim in an impassioned speech about his The pivot podcast.
The retired NFL safety said most current NBA stars don’t have the athleticism and mentality to play professional football.
“You give me someone 6 feet or taller, tall and thin,” Clark, 44, said.
“I will split them in half so many times that he will choose to do something else with his life.”
Clark pointed to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and 2011 primetime MVP Derrick Rose as NBA stars who could survive on the gridiron.
But Kelce, 36, noticed a notable omission in the ESPN star’s opinion.
“I love that argument and Ryan’s passion,” said the recently retired former Philadelphia Eagles guard. posted in X.A
“And as a football player, my mind is screaming, yes!!!
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“But if I were an NFL GM, and that was an option, I would sign LeBron today.
“And within an offseason, he would be the biggest red zone threat in the NFL.”
James, 39, played football and basketball in high school at St. Vincent-St. Maria in Akron, Ohio.
He was a wide receiver for the Fighting Irish and recorded 1,160 yards and 16 touchdowns his junior year.
Meanwhile, Cark said basketball players could only switch to the football field if they had played the sport in the past.
Still, he couldn’t find even five NBA players strong enough to play professional football.
“The football mentality is built like a callus. It’s very similar to the skill of a pitcher”, he posted on X earlier this week while sharing a clip of his podcast rant.
“Sorry @AustinRivers25, football players are more dynamic. Bigger, faster, stronger…
“Show me NBA Bo Jackson. @DeionSanders? @obj really?
“Honestly, which hooper is tough enough? @Money23Green
is a basketball idiot because he will fight, get dirty, be physical or choke Gobert.
“He actually auditioned in college and he was the one who got choked.
“In football, he was just one of the crazy motherfuckers… Not THE crazy one!”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
