LeBron James was every bit the football star as he was the basketball superstar at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School. But King James reportedly won't allow his sons, LeBron James Jr., 9, and Bryce Maximum James, 7, to play football.

"I was surprised Friday when LeBron told me he doesn't let his sons play football. Only basketball, baseball & soccer in his house," tweeted ESPN's Chris Broussard following a conversation with James on Friday.

Although James didn't elaborate as to why he doesn't let his two boys play football, growing health risks on the gridiron — including concussions and the scare of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) — have caused parents to think twice about registering their kids in youth football. According to ESPN "Outside The Lines," Pop Warner youth football leagues dropped by almost 10 percent between 2010 and 2012. USA Football, which governs youth football leagues and is partially funded by the NFL, also reported that players (ages 6 to 14) fell by 6.7 percent in 2011, according to ESPN.

Just because James doesn't let his boys play football doesn't mean he doesn't allow them to enjoy the sport, as he does. This past summer, following his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, James took his sons to a Cleveland Browns practice. 

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(Photo by Christopher Trotman/Getty Images)