NBA superstar LeBron James has never been shy about sharing his opinions, and his latest remarks about NFL tight ends have ignited a lively debate.
While appearing on “The Shop,” LeBron unveiled his Mount Rushmore of NFL tight ends, giving Kansas City Chiefs’ star Travis Kelce the nod over some of the sport’s most legendary players.
James, a four-time NBA champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, listed Kelce alongside NFL greats Tony Gonzalez, Kellen Winslow Sr., and Shannon Sharpe.
However, he admitted that he might bump Gonzalez, another Chiefs legend, off the list in favor of Rob Gronkowski, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star. “Maybe I might take Gronk over Tony G even though I love Tony G’s game,” LeBron said, showing the respect he holds for both players while still making a tough choice.
This praise from LeBron, one of the most influential athletes in the world, is a significant honor, especially for Kelce, who, like James, hails from Ohio. But Kelce might feel conflicted about the compliment, given that LeBron had to remove Tony Gonzalez, another icon of the Chiefs franchise, to make room for him. This decision has sparked discussion among fans and analysts, with some agreeing with LeBron’s assessment and others defending Gonzalez’s place among the all-time greats.
As Kelce continues to build his NFL legacy, the 34-year-old tight end is aiming for an elusive Super Bowl three-peat alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Such an accomplishment would further solidify his place among the league’s elite, possibly cementing his spot on more all-time lists like the one LeBron presented.
This isn’t the first time LeBron has publicly praised Kelce. A few months earlier, during an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, LeBron lauded Kelce’s increasing popularity amid his high-profile romance with global pop superstar Taylor Swift. Appearing on “The Shop” with co-hosts Maverick Carter and Paul Rivera, LeBron joked about Kelce’s newfound fame surpassing his own in their shared home state of Ohio.
“I never thought you’d see the day where you wouldn’t be the most famous athlete in Northeast Ohio,” joked host Carissa Thompson. LeBron laughed and replied, “Listen, sometimes you have to give the crown to someone else.” He went on to praise Kelce and acknowledged the impact of Swift’s devoted fan base, known as the Swifties. “What Travis is doing right now and the Swifties, I think I’d give him the crown right now. He deserves it,” LeBron said.
Kelce, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio—just an hour from LeBron’s hometown of Akron—has certainly been enjoying the limelight. The reminder from the NBA’s all-time leading scorer that he might now be the most famous athlete in Northeast Ohio is both a compliment and a testament to Kelce’s growing influence beyond the football field.
The bond between the two Ohio-born stars was further highlighted when LeBron affectionately called out Kelce and his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, on social media. LeBron playfully complained about not being invited to appear on their popular “New Heights” podcast, tagging the show’s username with an X and writing, “It’s crazy that I couldn’t get an invite to your awesome show.”
As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on Travis Kelce to see if he can live up to the high expectations set by fans and fellow athletes like LeBron James. Whether it’s securing another Super Bowl ring or continuing to dominate on the field, Kelce’s journey to football immortality is far from over—and he’s got the endorsement of one of the greatest athletes of all time to bolster his case.
