LeBron James is taking himself off the pedestal.
Because when it comes to his and Savannah James’ decade-long marriage, the NBA superstar insisted that their relationship is far from “picture perfect.”
“I’m gonna be honest,” LeBron said during a Sept. 18 episode of Speedy Morman’s 360 with Speedy podcast. “A relationship is never picture perfect. But if you’re okay with working through the hardships and the adverse moments, then it will make it all worth it.”
After all, the couple—who met as teenagers while attending rival high schools—has had plenty of time to learn how to navigate even the hardest bumps in their relationship.
“We’ve been together since high school, so s--t ain’t gonna always be a bed of roses,” the 40-year-old continued. “In any relationship, let alone someone you’ve been living with for 20 years.”
As for what he considers the secret to their lasting romance? Well, Lebron and Savannah—who share kids Bronny James, 20, Bryce James, 18, and Zhuri James, 10—live by three main principles.
“Communication is number one,” LeBron explained. “Being honest is number two. Number three is just, like, you have to be okay with being uncomfortable in relationships sometimes. You can’t always have it your way. You can’t always think, ‘My way or the highway.’ It’s never going to work that way.”
He added, “The saying, ‘Happy wife, happy life,’ that s--t is real.”
And perhaps that is why LeBron didn’t hesitate to come to his wife’s defense after rapper Kevin Gates publicly stated that he prefers the way white women look at the Los Angeles Lakers player to his wife of 12 years.
"'Kings don't concern themselves with the opinions of peasants,'" LeBron captioned an April 20 Instagram post with Savannah alongside a Black queen emoji. "Where to next Queen?!?! Let's get it!"
As for what the “Satellites” rapper actually said to spark their recent feud? Well, he made it clear that he wouldn’t want to trade places with LeBron despite being “one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
"I don't like the way Savannah look at LeBron," Kevin said in an April 19 Instagram video. "I like the way them white women look at LeBron. As soon as he walked out there, they just be like, 'Oh oh oh.'"
Describing Savannah as "the warden of the jail," he added that LeBron's spirit "is so loving and giving, it hurt me to see it."
For more athletes who took inspiration from LeBron and married their middle school, high school or college sweetheart, keep reading…
LeBron James
LeBron James and his wife Savannah Brinson are high school sweethearts. According to Harper's Bazaar, the two attended rival high schools and met at a football game. The rest, as they say, is history.
Carli Lloyd
Talk about an athletic couple! In 2016, Carli Lloyd married her high school sweetheart Brian Hollins, who is a professional golfer.
Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson has known his wife Emily since early childhood. However, their romance didn't blossom until middle school. During an interview on The Dan Le Batard Show, the former Green Bay Packers wide receiver admitted Emily dumped him in the seventh grade. Luckily, the two rekindled their romance their freshman year of high school.
Alex Morgan
Couples goals! Alex Morgan met her husband Servando Carrasco in college. Both played soccer at University of California-Berkeley. The two rang in 2015 by tying the knot. That same year Morgan and the U.S. Women's National Team went on to win the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees met his wife Brittany his sophomore year at Purdue University.
"I made a real fool of myself when I first met her," the New Orleans Saints quarterback told ESPN the Magazine. "It was when I was a sophomore. It was my 20th birthday and I'd had about 17 shots and put my foot in my mouth. It was a typical football player cheesy line—we'll leave it at that. It took me six months to get the courage to talk to her again. I finagled my way to get invited to a party that I knew she'd be at."
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen started dating in high school. According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher asked her out in between classes in the ninth grade. Per the media outlet, their first dates involved working on homework at Ellen's house.
Chris Paul
According to Essence, Chris Paul met his wife Jada while attending Wake Forest University. The basketball player and his sweetheart tied the knot in 2011 and have two kids.