Tom Brady Claims LeBron James Would Have Lasted 23 Years in NFL

Tom Brady has always held LeBron James in high regard, and never stops praising the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

Tom Brady Claims LeBron James Would Have Lasted 23 Years in NFL

Tom Brady admires LeBron James (Image via ML Football/Underdog/X)

In Short
  • Tom Brady believes LeBron James could have lasted 23 years in the NFL.
  • Brady expressed admiration for James during an appearance on the Tonight Show.
  • Tom Brady is set to compete in a flag football tournament after years away from competitive play.

Tom Brady and LeBron James are two rare athletes in the history of sports who have defied all odds to continue excelling into their 40s.

In the past, it was unheard of for NFL or NBA stars to continue playing that long. Either they play some of the positions that have the least impact on their bodies, or they are role players who have not played much every season they have had a contract.

In fact, there are five athletes ahead of Brady on the list of most games played in NFL history, and all of them kicked the ball as their primary job, which means they never absorbed contact like the others.

On the other hand, in the NBA, James has been the anomaly, surpassing everyone in total games played. Since no one has played 23 seasons in the NBA, many wonder how the Los Angeles Lakers superstar would have fared in the NFL, a sport which he played in high school.

I’d take him. Him and Gronk (Rob Gronkowski) on the same team. I don’t know if he would have lasted 23 years playing, LeBron. He actually could last 23 years… He is ridiculous.

Tom Brady said

This was the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s response on the Tonight Show when host Jimmy Fallon asked if he would take LeBron James to be on his football team.

In the past, Tom Brady’s interactions with the NBA superstar have seemingly referred to a good relationship between them. But now, the GOAT of football confirmed that he truly admires one of the GOATs of basketball.

Tom Brady to play quarterback at Flag Football tournament

Ever since the 2025 season ended, Tom Brady’s name has still been headline material after he essentially mocked part-time YouTuber Logan Paul ahead of his flag football debut in the Fanatics Fest this upcoming weekend.

The event was supposed to be held at Riyadh Season, in Saudi Arabia, but due to the regional conflict taking place, Fanatics were forced to switch bases and hold it in the United States.

Even though Paul and Brady have been going back and forth on the athletic supremacy of WWE and NFL stars, they will be able to prove their point this weekend.

Lost the last game I played against the Cowboys, against Dak Prescott. Now I get to go out on the field on Saturday, in LA, 4 PM ET, it’s on FOX. I get to compete again. Been in the booth watching these young guys play, now I get to go out there and try to beat them, to remind them who the boss is.

Tom Brady said

After his return from retirement, rumors fell flat. Tom Brady is finally going to compete with a ball in his hands, and he will be relishing the chance of putting the younger players in their places.

Tom Brady sent warning shots to Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow

While talking about how he wants to remind younger players who the boss of football is, Tom Brady then revealed to Jimmy Fallon and the audience how he has started trash-talking with them.

Tom Brady wants to beat younger NFL stars
Tom Brady wants to beat younger NFL stars (Image via Mirror US Sports/X)

I texted Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, they are the opposing QBs. I said, ‘You know I love beating Heisman Trophy winners.’ I was a 199th pick, and I always took dead aim at the guys who were picked way ahead of me. They said, ‘Bring it on.’

Tom Brady revealed

It seems the father of three is dead set on making this a memorable outing, even though he has not played competitive football in three years.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will feature two teams made up of current and former NFL stars, along with crossover athletes like Logan Paul, and they will battle against the current US Flag Football team, headed by quarterback Darrell ‘Housh’ Doucette.

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