LeBron James recently stirred up conversation by revealing his personal “Mount Rushmore” of NFL quarterbacks, igniting debates among football fans.
James has made his love for football known through the years. There’s some who feel he could have possibly been an NFL player had he stuck with football over basketball growing up.
Having said that, many fans have taken issue with his quarterback Mount Rushmore.
At the top of James’ list is none other than Tom Brady. Widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady’s place was no surprise.
James praised Brady’s career longevity, his unmatched ability to deliver under pressure, and his seven Super Bowl victories, cementing him as the ultimate NFL legend.
“How can you not put Tom on there?” James asked rhetorically. “He’s just the best at what he does.”
Next on the list was Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs phenom.
Despite still being in the early stages of his career, Mahomes’ electric performances have clearly left a strong impression on James and the entire football world for that matter.
“He’s just different,” James said of Mahomes. “The way he plays, the things he’s already accomplished – he’s special.”
While there’s no denying Mahomes greatness, many feel it might be a little too soon to put him so high on the list. Not that he can’t one day reach a top-2 spot, but he’s still relatively early in his career.
Also making LeBron’s Mount Rushmore was the legendary Joe Montana.
Before Brady, Montana was the undisputed king of Super Bowl success. Known for his ice-cold composure under pressure, Montana earned the nickname “Joe Cool,” a trait James admired.
“Joe was clutch – always calm, always delivered when it mattered … That’s greatness,” James said.
The fourth and final spot was a tough decision for James. Torn between John Elway and Peyton Manning, LeBron acknowledged the greatness of both quarterbacks.
Elway, known for his powerful arm and late-game heroics, won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.
“Elway was just tough – he could do it all, and when it came to crunch time, you wanted him on your team,” James said.
On the other hand, Manning, revered for his cerebral approach to the game and precise play, also claimed two Super Bowl titles with two different teams.
“Peyton was a genius out there, the way he dissected defenses,” James added, noting how difficult it was to choose between the two.
Interestingly, James noted that he also considered New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a Mount Rushmore spot.
“Aaron’s great, no doubt, but I had to go with these guys. They just have that combination of championships and legendary moments,” he explained.
What are your thoughts on James’ quarterback Mount Rushmore? … What do you agree/disagree with?
More importantly, what does YOUR Mount Rushmore look like???