Joe Burrow’s former LSU teammate, Breiden Fehoko, has weighed in on the player contract controversy. He directed a pointed public comment toward NBA icon LeBron James on Thursday.
“Lebron James ruined professional sports as we know it,” Fehokotweeted to his followers. The former defensive lineman did not hold back his opinion on the matter.
He added a follow-up line that further fueled the conversation online. “Y’all not ready for that convo tho,” the former NFL player stated.
Lebron James ruined professional sports as we know it. Y’all not ready for that convo tho. https://t.co/gjKgPIahwt
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) January 16, 2026
The comment directly followed reports of the Los Angeles Dodgers signing star free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. The deal is a 4-year contract worth a staggering $240 million.
Tucker is a 4-time All-Star who last played for the Chicago Cubs. He recorded 22 home runs, 25 steals, and 73 RBIs over 136 appearances.
He was traded to the Cubs in 2024 after a long tenure with the Houston Astros. His free agency was one of the biggest stories this offseason.
Joe Burrow’s ex-teammate Breiden Fehoko links an MLB deal to LeBron James
Fehoko’s criticism likely points to the era of player-led “superteams.” Many observers trace this trend back to James’ 2010 move to the Miami Heat.
James himself remains one of the highest-paid athletes in professional sports. He signed a 2-year, $101.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024.
The Lakers reportedly declined to extend his contract during the summer of 2025. This forced James to exercise his $52.6 million player option for this season.
Fehoko and Burrow were teammates at LSU for 2 years. They were key members of the Tigers’ 2020 national championship winning team.
Burrow became the top pick in the 2020 NFL draft going to the Cincinnati Bengals. Fehoko went undrafted but had stints with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The offensive tackle also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He officially retired from professional football in November 2025 just months ago.
The statement from a recently retired player captures a growing sentiment across all sports. It highlights the ongoing tension between player empowerment and traditional team-building structures.