LeBron James is almost always in conversations when it comes to rating some of the best players of all-time. It has been that way practically since the beginning of his career because he has simply been that good all along.
In recent years, he has even openly discussed the idea of becoming the greatest player of all-time. That very much remains a debatable subject and will stay that way long after he retires. To James, however, becoming the greatest of all-time or anything else he may be able to accomplish on the court is nothing compared to what he’s been able to establish off the court with his most recent project.
U guys can debate, critique, hate, argue, etc, etc about where I stand on the court throughout my career but….
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 19, 2015
this is all that matters to me! http://t.co/nEMz6na4JN @LJFamFoundation #IKnowMyPurpose #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 19, 2015
The USA Today article by Nancy Armour details what the LeBron James Family Foundation will provide for eventual college students and why this program called “I Promise” sets him apart off the court from the rest of his NBA peers:
Raised by a young, single mother in Akron, James has often said he easily could have ended up as one of society’s sad statistics. His otherworldly athleticism gave him a way out, and he had people around him — his mother, coaches, teachers — who made sure he took it.
Not every child is so lucky, and James can’t save them all. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t put forth his time, money and support for the kids of Akron.
“He was one of these kids,” said Michele Campbell, the James Family Foundation’s executive director. “He feels the need to share that with other kids that are just like him.”
For the past five years, the foundation has been identifying at-risk third-graders in Akron’s public schools and inviting them to join the Wheels for Education program. As the students reach middle school, they graduate to the “I Promise Network.”
Both programs provide educational support and encouragement, including voice mails from James. The goal is both to keep kids in school, and give them the tools they need so they don’t fall behind their more privileged classmates.
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.