Despite being 37 years old and playing in his 20th season in the NBA, LeBron James continues to be one of the top basketball players in the game today. This is evident even though his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, has had a rough start to their season.
However, the King continues to play, and although he may not be performing at his usual high level, his game is still better than that of most other players in the league. In addition to being a great basketball player, LeBron is one of the most influential players we have ever seen.
LeBron uses his platform to speak out against social injustices, spreading positivity through his voice. He is a great husband and father, setting a positive example for all husbands and fathers out there.
LeBron’s love for his family and for the game of basketball is evident, as is his love for tattoos, with reports stating he has 26 tattoos on his body. Many of these tattoos reference the things he loves in his life mentioned above.
What are the meanings behind LeBron’s tattoos?
LeBron James is quite familiar with tattoos, as he has a total of 26 tattoos, each carrying a special significance. Let’s take a closer look at each of LeBron’s tattoos and unravel their meanings.
Chosen 1 Tattoo – LeBron sports a large “Chosen 1” tattoo on his upper back.
Meaning – This tattoo alludes to his first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated, where he was dubbed “The Chosen One.”
Tattoo of a Lion with a Crown – A crowned lion on his right bicep. Symbolizing LeBron’s rise as the King of the NBA, he inked “King” on top and “James” on the bottom during his first season. It represents his self-proclaimed nickname of the King.
Witness Tattoo – LeBron proudly displays his “Witness” tattoo on his right calf.
Meaning – Following LeBron’s impressive performance in the 2006 playoffs, Nike launched a campaign that used the word “Witness” to refer to people witnessing his greatness. LeBron embraced and honored his game and where it was heading with this slogan.
330 Tattoo – LeBron proudly displays the tattoo “330” on his right forearm, representing his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
In his tattoos, LeBron has “What we do in life” inked on his right arm and “echoes in eternity” on his left arm. The quote holds a deep meaning for LeBron as it signifies that our actions have lasting consequences, inspired by his favorite movie, Gladiator.
LeBron has a small tattoo on his chest that says “Gifted Child”.
The meaning behind this tattoo is currently unknown.
No one can understand my thoughts and feelings except the person who created me – LeBron has this quote inked on the inside of his right forearm.
Meaning – The significance behind this phrase remains a mystery.
LeBron proudly sports a tattoo on his right arm with the name “Gloria” inked above his Crowned Lion tattoo. This tattoo holds a special meaning as it is a tribute to his beloved mother, Gloria James.
Beast Ink – Lebron sports a “Beast” tattoo on his left bicep.
Significance – The meaning behind this tattoo remains a mystery.
LeBron’s tattoo that says “Hold My Own” can be seen underneath his Beast tattoo. The meaning behind this particular tattoo is not known.
Prince James Tattoo – LeBron’s left forearm boasts a special tattoo featuring a portrait of his son, Bronny, when he was just a baby.
Significance – The tattoo serves as a tribute to his son, Bronny, on his very first birthday.
L And J Tattoos – LeBron sports a “L” inked on his left triceps and “J” on his right triceps.
Significance – These tattoos represent LeBron’s initials, showing his personal touch on his body art.
KJ1 Ink – LeBron proudly displays his KJ1 tattoo on his right hand.
Significance – KJ1 symbolizes King James 1.
Bryce Maximus Tattoo – LeBron proudly sports a tattoo on his right forearm with the name “Bryce Maximus” inked on it.
Significance – This tattoo is a tribute to LeBron’s second son, Bryce Maximus.
LeBron recently got stars inked around his Beast tattoo, although the meaning behind this new addition remains a mystery.
Family Ink – LeBron rocks a tattoo that says “Family” on his right abdomen.
Significance – LeBron got the word “Family” inked as a tribute to his loved ones.
LeBron got a tattoo of the word “Loyalty” on his left abdomen, but the meaning behind it remains a mystery.
Akron Ink – LeBron had the word “Akron” inked onto his right shoulder as a tribute to his hometown.
Significance – Akron holds a special place in LeBron’s heart as it is his hometown.
LeBron James got a tattoo that says “Est 1984” on his left shoulder, which symbolizes the year of his birth. On his right forearm, he has a design of flames tattooed.
Significance – Unclear.
Lion Tattoo – LeBron proudly sports a large lion tattoo with majestic wings on his chest.
Meaning – The lion symbol is inspired by St. Mark’s Gospel.
LeBron James got a tattoo of “History” on his left calf, which he added to complement the “Witness” tattoo on his right calf. He also has two flying birds tattooed on the inside of his right bicep.
The meaning behind LeBron James’ tattoos is a mystery to many. One of his tattoos is a tribute to Kobe Bryant, featuring a Black Mamba snake with a rose and the numbers “8” and “24” along with the words “Mamba 4 Life.” This tattoo is a way to honor the late Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away in January 2020.
LeBron also has a tattoo on his right hand that reads “B.B.Z.,” representing the initials of his three kids – Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri. Another tattoo on his back under the “C” in “Chosen 1” is a picture of his daughter, Zhuri, as an infant.
LeBron James has a variety of tattoos that hold deep personal meaning, showcasing his love for family. Additionally, he has ink that pays tribute to his hometown and roots, reflecting his humility and appreciation for where he came from.
Known for using the hashtag #thekidfromakron on his social media, LeBron demonstrates his love for his hometown. Another notable tattoo that Lakers and NBA fans admire is his tribute to Kobe Bryant. LeBron and Kobe developed a friendship during their time in the NBA, and LeBron’s decision to join the Lakers brought them even closer.
Kobe’s untimely death had a profound impact on LeBron and many others, and it is heartwarming to see him honoring another basketball legend in such a meaningful way.