90's sitcom brings LeBron James to tears

CLEVELAND, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- LeBron James wasn't born and raised in West Philadelphia, but the global basketball icon has more in common with "The Fresh Prince" than you think.

James posted four Instagram videos featuring the episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse," which aired on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on May 9, 1994. The episode profiles the main character, Will "The Fresh Prince" Smith's relationship with his father, who has just walked back into his life after a 14-year absence.

In his posts, James says: "I shed a tear til this day every time I see this episode. Every single time!... This hit home for me growing up and I couldn't hold my tears in. Til this day they still coming out when this episode come on."

Gloria James raised LeBron as a single mother, after giving birth at 16-years-old. LeBron thanked his father, Anthony McClelland, for not being in his life in an earlier Instagram post.

The caption read: "Because of you Pops! Thanks all along. Could have said why me with u not being there but look what I made of myself. Thanks to Huffington Post for the graphic. #StriveForGreatness"

But Akron's King, who has his native area code 330 tattooed on his right forearm, is setting a better example, turning pain into promise. From Ohio to South Beach and back to Ohio again, his heart remained in the Buckeye state. LeBron frequently wears "I Promise" wrist bands on the court, to remind himself and others of the promises he has made to teammates, his foundation, and charities.

The LeBron James Family Foundation partners has several partners, including the Wheels for Education mentoring program, that helps kids, starting in the third grade, who are identified as "at risk" of dropping out, until high school graduation, according to Cleveland.com.

The 30-year-old James has three children: sons Bryce and LeBron Jr., and three-month-old daughter Zhuri.