On Wednesday evening, NBA All-Star LeBron James posted an interesting letter on Instagram thanking his deadbeat dad—for not being there.
“Because of you Pops! Thanks all along. Could have said why me with u not being there but look what I made of myself. Thanks to Huffington Post for the graphic. #StriveForGreatness,” he captioned the photo.
James thanked his absentee father—who once tried to show up after the two-time NBA champion had made it big—for giving him the drive to achieve his own goals and be “hands-on with [his] endeavors.”
The letter is already inspiring James’ followers, with many commenting about their similar situations.
“I grew up without my father too. My mom raised me, my fuel that drives me is wanting to be the best Dad I can be for my sons. I am already a better Dad than he will ever be,” one person commented.