LeBron James is the number one basketball player in the contemporary world. That doesn’t need to be discussed too much. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has conquered almost every glory a basketball player can dream of. From winning the NBA championship, MVP here as well as twice winning Olympic gold for the country of flags in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. However, that glory is not what makes Akron’s son most proud.

If it’s not a 17-time All Star team or a fortune that exceeds $1 billion, what could it be? Is LeBron James most proud of his contributions to the community such as raising funds for charity, opening a school in his hometown or even entering movies in Hollywood? All are wrong answers. The greatest pride, according to the former Cleveland Cavaliers star himself, is none other than his family or more specifically, being a father.

LeBron James recently joined forces with the non-profit organization The Dad Gang and retailer Walmart to spread the message and educate about family. The target audience of the three parties is none other than black fathers. This is a group that is considered by American society to be irresponsible with their own decisions when abandoning their children and the people who gave birth to them.

In his message, LeBron James did not mention his achievements in basketball, movies, advertising or business. The only things the Los Angeles Lakers star shares revolve around the happiness of being the breadwinner to take care of the whole family.

“For me, being a father is the ultimate pride. Seeing my children grow up and gradually become beings with their very own nuances. Since I was a child, I only dreamed that one day I could see my father and have someone to teach and guide me. Work forces me to stay away from my family a lot. The biggest challenge for myself is nothing other than being able to be with my family no matter how. There is nothing in life that can surpass my pride in being a father.”

LeBron James is someone who understands better than anyone the importance of a father in a family. The player compared to Michael Jordan was born into poverty when his mother, Gloria Marie James, was only 16 years old. It’s even sadder that Anthony McClelland’s father was a criminal and never appeared in the basketball superstar’s life. The days of constantly having to move apartments due to not being able to afford housing made “King James” understand deep in his heart that he would have to take good care of his children.

According to the 2018 National Living Conditions Report in the US, up to 69.4% of black children are born in families with single mothers. For the number of children born to unmarried parents, this number even reaches 72%. These are extremely alarming statistics about unplanned births and partly show the lack of responsibility on the part of black men.

LeBron James is really doing very meaningful things for the community. At the same age as “King James”, Michael Jordan owns a huge Jordan shoe brand, but his junior decided to use the money to build a school in his hometown. And now with The Dad Gang project currently underway, it is clear that the Lakers player deserves the title “King” in the hearts of fans.

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