KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: The standout player for the LA Lakers, LeBron James, might no longer be the most famous name in Northeast Ohio. He might have been overtaken by none other than Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce due to his rumored romance with pop singer Taylor Swift.
James is undoubtedly one of the most famous athletes to emerge from the state. He has millions of devoted fans and his 21-year career has produced a GOAT-caliber resume.
LeBron James hailed 'Swifties' for their enormous influence
While appearing on 'The Shop' with co-hosts Maverick Carter and Paul Rivera during the Kansas City Chiefs versus Denver Broncos game on 'Thursday Night Football,' James, 38, was questioned about Kelce, 34.
Broadcaster Charissa Thompson exclaimed, "LeBron, I never thought I'd see the day when you aren’t the most famous athlete from Northeast Ohio. How does it feel?"
The Lakers great retorted, while grinning, "Sometimes you've gotta give the crown up to the next one." James then appreciated Kelce and hailed the "Swifties," or Swift's supporters, for their enormous influence.
"What Trav has got going on right now, and the Swifties, I think I’m gonna give the crown to him right now. He deserves it right now," James asserted.
As per People, James' shoutout to Kelce came after the NBA's all-time leading scorer recently complained to the Chiefs star and his brother, Jason Kelce. He gently whined about wanting an invitation to appear on their famous podcast, 'New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.'
James initiated the “King of Northeast Ohio,” title when he initially tweeted his fondness of the Kelce brothers' podcast. James said: "Crazy I can’t get a invite to join y'all fantastic show! Is it because you guys are truly the Kings of NE Ohio and I claim to be? Be honest! Seriously you guys are AWESOME!!"
In response, the Kelce brothers said that the four-time NBA Champion has an "open invite anytime" and is welcome to join their podcast whenever he wants.
James is relinquishing the crown perhaps in recognition of the Kelce-Swift duo's meteoric rise to fame.
LeBron James fans went crazy over 'Swifties' shoutout
Following James' remarks on Kelce and "Swifties," online users and the basketball star's fans were both amused and astounded. One of them took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Hearing Lebron James saying swifties feels surreal like ai surreal"
A second X user tweeted, "Lebron james saying “swifties” was not on my 2023 bingo card"
"LEBRON JAMES MENTIONING SWIFTIES MY WORLDS ARE COLLIDING AHHHHHH," exclaimed one X user.
Another one said in disbelief, "Not lebron james talking about travis and swifties"
One X user gave a supposed shoutout and wrote, "They’ve got LEBRON JAMES on to talk about travis kelce and he said “SWIFTIES” ?????? what is this timeline"
"NOT LEBRON JAMES SHOUTING OUT THE SWIFTIES," exclaimed another one.
The shocked reactions from Internet users went on as another one said, "I never thought in a million years i would hear lebron james say taylor swift, taylor, or swifties but he is and it’s throwing me off the loop"
Another fellow swiftie chimed in, "Lebron James saying swifties atp every public figure has uttered the term more times than Tay has in her entire career"
"Never in my life i thought i would hear lebron james say swifties," noted another one.
