LeBron James doesn’t allow his sons to play football, and it’s not because the NBA superstar wants them to follow in his footsteps.
According to ESPN, the Cleveland Cavalier guard, when asked, confirmed that he made the decision because of the various health risks associated with the often-violent sport of football.
“Only basketball, baseball and soccer are allowed in my house,” James told ESPN before the Cavaliers’ game with (and victory over) the Denver Nuggets.
James did dabble, rather successfully, in football in high school as a former all-star wide receiver at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Ohio, ESPN noted. But he eventually retired after his junior season because of a broken wrist suffered offseason.
Although James doesn’t want 7-year-old Bryce and 10-year-old LeBron Jr. to play football, he remains an avid fan of both the NFL and college scenes, often referring to the sport as his first love, ESPN notes.
According to the report, Bryce plays soccer and other sports, while LeBron Jr. is taking after his father and beginning to focus on basketball.
Read more at ESPN.