(photo via bleacherreport.com)

Long before he became King on the court, LeBron James also dominated the football field. The current Cleveland Cavalier was getting college football offers from schools before he was even old enough to drive. His fate was in the NBA, but his chance at a potential football career came first.

It began back in 1992 in Akron, Ohio. The NBA superstar showcased his athletic talents in the peewee football league. Even as an 8-year-old, James was turning heads. Jay Brophy, former NFL player and Akron native, was a witness to the young football star in action. Brophy grew up with James’ mother, Gloria, and was heavily involved in the youth sports community.

"He could understand it and he could run it," Brophy told Bleacher Report. "His peewee coach told me, 'This kid can play quarterback, he can play it all. That’s why we ran the run-and-shoot.' He just had a good feel for that."

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Fast-forward a few years later, James was a 6-foot-6 freshman wide receiver for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School’s varsity football team. Much of his freshman year was spent on the sidelines – a place that would later become unfamiliar for the rest of his football and basketball career.

James’ debut on the field came in the last quarter of a Division IV qualifier against Wickliffe High School. The Fighting Irish coaches turned to James for redemption after No. 1 receiver Maverick Carter’s illness put him out of the game.

Quarterback Chris Wooley knew of James’ talent and encouraged head coach Jim Meyer to put him in the game. Immediately, James proved himself worthy of a varsity jersey, scoring two touchdowns and acquiring more than 100 yards in that last quarter alone. When the ball was snapped, Wooley put it in James’ hands every chance he got.

“I have several buddies to this day that said I probably threw to him too much,” Wooley said. “I would argue that I didn’t throw to him enough.”

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They ended up losing to Wickliffe 15-14, however it paved the road of potential for James’ high school career.

Since that first game, James ascended to high school football stardom. In his sophomore year, he earned all-state honors after a season of catching 42 passes for 752 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. By this point he was seriously considering college football – and college football was seriously considering him.

Offers were rolling in from schools like Florida State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida and USC. Some had early speculations of James going to the NFL. As a coach known for an impressive win-loss record, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer recognized talent when he saw it and having watched James, he saw it.

"A first-round draft pick, a Hall of Famer," Meyer said, "Obviously, he's a winner."

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Even with all the offers from D-I schools, James’ heart was with basketball. Willie McGee, James’ childhood friend and quarterback during their junior year, knew ultimately the future NBA legend would pick basketball.

“Early on, it was a mutual love it seemed to me between basketball and football,” McGee said. “Maybe around junior year, you knew basketball was going to be his ticket.”

Upon entering his senior year, James made the decision to move his focus to basketball after he broke his left wrist in an AAU basketball game in Chicago. Though he was no longer continuing his football career, his legacy lives on. To this day, James ranks seventh in St. Vincent-St. Mary history with 27 career touchdowns and third with 99 career receptions despite only playing two full seasons.

One thing not lost on his former teammates is James’ sheer dedication to excellence. Much like his performance in the playoffs this year, James is a playmaker. His former quarterback Matt McDonald remembers him as “a man amongst boys,” recalling several plays when James was covered and still made the play work.

“Even when he wasn’t open, he was open,” McDonald said.

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Some people, including Brophy, believed with his mix of athleticism, James’ would consider a football career in the future.

"Early in his career, I thought, 'If this guy wins his championships early, he might be the type of guy who would try to play both and just give it a shot to see what it was like.'"

Although James chose the hardwood over the gridiron and never looked back, McDonald, McGee and Wooley are grateful to have experienced his undeniable talent. His success has reached heights unimaginable.

“I knew he would be a pro someday, but I didn’t expect this,” Wooley said. “My thought is, ‘Wow LeBron, you’ve gotten so popular that reporters are interviewing guys from 15-plus years ago who played a sport with you that you’re not even famous for.’”