LeBron James has been keeping busy during the NBA lockout, playing in all-star exhibitions and making a trip to China with Nike.
His latest lockout diversion was decidedly not basketball-related, however.
On Tuesday, the Heat's star forward visited his old high school in Akron, Ohio, St. Vincent-St. Mary, arriving at football practice in full pads.
"I not gonna lie, it was pretty cool to see him out there," SVSM quarterback Kevin Besser told Fox 8 Cleveland on Tuesday.
James borrowed the uniform and equipment of an injured SVSM tight end, who happens to be 6'5". It is doubtful any other player's uniform could fit the 6'8" James.
Before you fret, Heat fans, rest assured. The SVSM defense was allowed to jam LeBron at the line of scrimmage, but other than that no contact was allowed.
"Coach [Dan Borman] said we shouldn't tackle him," running back Sae'Von Fitzgerald said.
James only practiced with the team for about an hour, and the team did not take any video of the practice since it is worried about revealing too much about its game plan while it contends for a state title.
If the NBA lockout stretches on too long, though, James might be able to find work in the NFL as a tight end. "He caught everything, he didn't drop a pass," Besser said.
After practice, James tweeted, "Felt great being back on the field. Should I?"
The Dolphins could use some help in the red zone. James would make a big end-zone target for Chad Henne.
Maybe the solution to the Dolphins' red-zone woes is already in Miami.
