"I did things that a father would do": LeBron James opened up about the heartbreak of growing up without a dad in an emotional 2016 interview

LeBron James , the Los Angeles Lakers ’ star player, is a billionaire and enjoys a lavish life with his wife, Savannah James, and their three children. But life did not come easy for the NBA legend; LeBron James belonged to a pretty modest and a single parent household.

While LeBron James has always been there for his three children, he did not have a father figure growing up. A few years ago, the NBA legend opened up about it and how it affected his mentality growing up.

LeBron James opened up about not having a father figure while growing up
A couple of years ago, in 2016, LeBron James opened up to the Cleveland.com about not having a father in his life.

The 40 year old NBA icon said, "It was tough, man. It was tough at times, but my mom, she kept it so real. She was like my mother and my father at the same time. When I was growing up at times, on Father's Day, I would write my mother a card, wishing her Happy Father's Day. She was all I had."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfa4ndDqBr/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfa4ndDqBr/

LeBron James also spoke about how he took up many responsibilities around his house as he grew up to fulfil the role of a “man” in the house.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player said, "I think when I came kind of became the man of the house I started getting really responsible at the age of 8. I had to be there and do things that probably a father would do…”

LeBron James added, “Obviously not to that magnitude because I wasn't a grownup and I didn't have responsibilities, but I had to handle myself and make sure I wasn't a problem to my mother so she didn't have to have extra things going on in her head, because she had a lot on her plate already."

Despite the tough life that LeBron James and his mother lived, the NBA legend kept his focus on his skills and was soon drafted into the NBA.

At the same time, LeBron James also became a father to his oldest son, Bronny James, and the NBA legend has always been a present father, even though he has a pretty demanding career.

More coverage on the NBA - "His focus was on Gianna's face": Vanessa Bryant opens up about a heartbreaking moment that Kobe Bryant shared with his daughter Gianna Bryant

“I had to go through it”: Stephen Curry opens up about the tough decision that tested his relationship with Ayesha Curry

“He called me crying”: Stephen Curry’s wife Ayesha Curry opens up about a heartbreaking moment in their lives amid her recent controversial remarks

YesJulz breaks silence on decade-long LeBron James affair rumors as the NBA star stays away from the drama

"I was scared": LeBron James opened up about how being a young father terrified him in a heartfelt throwback confession