Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James said that he is not allowing his sons to play football, reiterating that only basketball, baseball and soccer are allowed inside their house.

James said in an interview with ESPN that he banned his kids from playing football, but also conceded that he will let his sons decide about it in the future. His seven-year-old son Bryce Maximus loves playing soccer, while 10-year-old LeBron Jr., is starting to focus on basketball.

"We don't want them to play in our household right now until they understand how physical and how demanding the game is," James said. "Then they can have their choice in high school, we'll talk over it. But right now there's no need for it. There's enough sports they can play."

James' statement surprised football fans, considering the fact that he previously mentioned that football is his "first love." The Cavaliers superstar was also a football player and was a highly-touted wide receiver in high school before he focused on basketball after sustaining a broken wrist.

Knowing the physicality of the game, James said that he has nothing against football, reiterating that he is just trying to protect his kids from sustaining serious injuries.

"It's a safety thing," James added. "As a parent you protect your kids as much as possible. I don't think I'm the only one that's not allowing his kids to play football, it's just that I'm LeBron James and it gets put in the headlines for no reason."

James, who is also a well-known NFL and college football fan, pointed out that he just decided to play football in high school because he "needed a way out," and his kids are not in a similar situation.

"My kids don't need a way out," James added. "They're all right. I needed a way out when I was a kid. I tried to do whatever it took to get out. That's my excuse."

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