LeBron James CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 06: LeBron James speaks during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Cleveland Public Auditorium on November 6, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. With two days to go until election day, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Florida and Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

LeBron James isn’t well liked by some NBA fans who have witnessed King James jump from Cleveland to Miami and back to Cleveland in pursuit of a ring. Regardless of what fans may think of his on the court antics, it’s hard to deny he’s an incredible person off the court.

This past summer, American Express CEO Ken Chenault reached out to James about an opportunity that would once again prove how great of a person he is.

The situation? Chenault was looking for contributions towards a Muhammad Ali exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

“I’ve been impressed with, not only he is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but how he has evolved as a leader,” Chenault told reporters. “The fit of LeBron supporting the Muhammad Ali exhibit is perfect because he exemplifies the qualities that Muhammad Ali exhibited throughout his life.”

It didn’t take long for James to jump at the chance to contribute to the exhibit. He contacted Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, and the two became friends.

“When it was presented to me later in the summer, I wanted to make sure I got Lonnie’s blessing,” James said. “Once I got her blessing, I told the museum it was a go. Full throttle. Let’s get it going.”

And James went full throttle with a reported $2.5 million donation.

“I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown,” Lonnie Ali said in a statement. “This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad’s work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people. … I know that if Muhammad was alive today he would be honored.”

“Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor,” James told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview about the exhibit.

The Muhammad Ali exhibit LeBron is supporting will be hosted at the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and will be titled “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.”

The $2.5 million donation from James is coming from him and his business partner Maverick Carter. James isn’t the first NBA star to donate to the project either, as Michael Jordan has already given $5 million while Magic Johnson and wife Cookie donated at least $1 million.

LeBron of course has a long history of his own when it comes to charity. His foundation started by giving away bikes to Akron-area students. From there it formed the Wheels for Education program and gave laptops, backpacks with school supplies, and bikes to students.

Still, LeBron didn’t think that was enough. In 2015 the Cavs star announced a program where he would give students enrolled in his foundation’s academic program a four-year scholarship to the University of Akron.

About David Lauterbach

David is a writer for The Comeback. He enjoyed two Men's Basketball Final Four trips for Syracuse before graduating in 2016. If The Office or Game of Thrones is on TV, David will be watching.