So here’s something you probably never thought anyone would ask, “Does LeBron James let his kids drink wine?” During a recent interview, James told reporters that his 14- and 11-year-old sons do, in fact, drink wine—with mom and dad. The internet had some thoughts about his confession—because of course it did.
Okay, okay, before any parent-shaming begins, first let’s put James’ statement in context. When asked about what pop culture he has picked up on from his younger Los Angeles Lakers teammates, James admitted that his teen and tween sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce, are into the same types of things.
James followed up by adding, “I’ve got very mature 14- and 11-year-olds. My 14- and 11-year-olds drink wine.” When a reporter questioned him, asking, “Really?” James joked, “Yeah that’s how mature they are. They’ll be driving next week.”
LeBron says his kids have a glass with mom and dad 🍷 pic.twitter.com/OcQJ6NBvRM
— ESPN (@espn) October 10, 2018
The obvious driving joke left fans wondering if James was also joking about the wine thing, too. But then again, when the reporter asked James if his kiddos had a preference for white or red, James replied. “Whatever dad or mom is having. Put it on me though, don’t put it on mom. Put it on dad, put it on dad.”
Here’s what Twitter had to say.
POLL: What do you think of LeBron James' allowing his sons, ages 14 and 11, to drink wine with him?
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) October 10, 2018
@KingJames this has got me scratching my head. U say u give a 11 & 14 yr old wine. If i say that im going to jail and dhs is at my door.
— matt (@Mattstjhn23) October 10, 2018
I come from a Italian Family, and I was allowed to have some wine with dinner as a kid. I see nothing wrong drinking wine with a family member! #TheTalk #LebronJames #EverybodyTalks https://t.co/7il2PBiokQ
— Chris Michael Ward (@ChrisMichaelW) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/EmmaSantillan4/status/1050053253113597952
@KingJames next time you are in Cleveland let's have a couple bottles of wine,😂😂😂😂, with your boys, 😂😂😂, the media going have fun with that statement, 😂😂😂😂
— #LowKeyMajor (@ItsJustMajor) October 10, 2018
While the legal drinking age in America is 21, this isn’t the worldwide norm. The U.S. Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) is recommended by a number of expert organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Prevention Council and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But in the United Kingdom, the magic minimum age is 18, and in Italy it’s 16, where it’s very much culturally accepted for children under this age to have a few sips—with their parents.
Hmm. Maybe James is just taking a cue from parents across the pond?
—Erica Loop
Featured Photo: LeBron James via Instagram
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