NFL legend Tom Brady is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. With seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVPs, and a two-decade reign of dominance, his opinion carries weight — not just in football circles, but across the sports world. So when Brady names his personal Mount Rushmore of athletic greatness, including legends like NBA legend Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods but leaving out LeBron James, people take notice.
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Brady was asked to name the athletes he considers the greatest of all time. His selections included icons from multiple sports: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Shohei Ohtani, and Barry Bonds. While the list drew praise for its diversity and reach, it also raised eyebrows for one glaring omission: LeBron James.
“Michael Jordan. He was my childhood idol. He was unbelievable,” Brady said. “Obviously, I loved Kobe Bryant. I still love Kobe Bryant. Tiger, his competitiveness. What Rory McIlroy’s done, I love that. Shohei Ohtani, what he’s done has been unbelievable. Barry Bonds — he went to my high school. I was the biggest fan of him growing up.”
Brady also highlighted several Olympic and WNBA stars, including Michael Phelps, Michael Johnson, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. “This little thing they’ve got going,” he said of Clark and Reese, “I love that. It’s been really exciting.” His comments celebrated athletes who’ve made a cultural impact — not just those with rings or records.
Still, leaving out LeBron James — the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, four-time MVP, and a global sports icon — didn’t sit well with many fans. Social media reactions were swift, questioning how one of the most decorated and durable athletes in modern history could be left off the list.
see also
LeBron James reveals how the Pacers operate around Tyrese Haliburton following their Game 1 win vs Thunder
Some chalked it up to Brady’s personal bias toward childhood idols like Jordan and Bonds, both of whom shaped his early sports fandom. That might explain the omission, but it didn’t stop the online backlash or the debates on talk shows across the country.
To be clear, Brady never disrespected LeBron. His comments seemed rooted more in personal preference than in any objective ranking. But in today’s debate-heavy sports culture, even an innocent omission can spark controversy, especially when it involves generational greatness.
In the end, Brady’s list offers insight into what greatness means to him — a mix of dominance, inspiration, and personal impact. Whether or not LeBron fits that mold for Brady is up for debate. But for millions of fans, the King’s résumé speaks for itself.
