LeBron James Came Close To Suiting Up For The Cowboys

LeBron James nearly took his talents to Big D, trading his sneakers for spikes. The basketball superstar told Peyton and Eli Manning that during the 2011 NBA lockout, he not only thought about pulling a Bo Jackson, he actually received a contract offer from the Dallas Cowboys.

Appearing as a guest during the 2nd quarter of Monday night's "ManningCast" on ESPN 2, James was asked whether there was any truth to the rumor that he planned to jump from the hardwood to the turf.

"That's true. Jerry Jones offered me a contract. Pete Carroll did as well in Seattle during our lockout time. It definitely got my blood flowing again, my mind racing again about the game of football, being out there on Sundays," said James.

James, who was an all-state receiver in Ohio as a high school sophomore, gave the NFL serious consideration before the the NBA lockout ended: "We were able to get a deal done in the NBA and I was back on the court in no time, but I definitely thought about it."

"I still got the jersey too, that Jerry and Pete Carroll sent me from 2011," added James.

Though he received interest from Dallas and Seattle, the current Laker's NFL allegiance lies with his hometown Cleveland Browns. “I’m a Browns fan,” James said during the ManningCast. “I did grow up a Cowboys fan, but I’m down with the Browns and I want them to win. And they got a really good team this year, and I’m looking forward to it.”

LeBron's appearance on the ManningCast did more than just blow the minds of Cowboys fans who were left to wonder what might have been. It actually made the often cringe-worthy James appear affable.

"Peyton and Eli did the truly impossible: they made LeBron seem likable," tweeted OutKick founder Clay Travis.

The next chance Dallas, Seattle and any other interested suitors will have to try and pry LeBron away from the NBA will come after the 2022-23 NBA season, when his current contract expires. Stranger things have happened when Jerry Jones is involved...