Ryan Blaney Empathizes with Bronny James' Pressure as Son of a Legendary Athlete

NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, who faced similar pressures as the son of a racing legend, expresses his understanding and support for Bronny James, who is navigating the challenges of being the child of an iconic basketball superstar.

Ryan Blaney, the highly successful NASCAR driver who won the Cup Series last year, has a deep understanding of the pressures that come with being the child of a famous athlete. Having grown up in the shadow of his father, Dave Blaney, a veteran of 473 NASCAR races, Ryan has firsthand experience with the expectations and scrutiny that accompany such a legacy.

Ryan's journey in racing has been marked by remarkable achievements, but he acknowledges that the pressure on him has been present since he was a teenager. "I feel like when you're a kid in a sport that your parents did, that kid's expected to do that sport," he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

However, Ryan emphasizes that the pressure he faced did not stem from within his family. "My dad never pressured me to do anything. If I wanted to do something else, he would've been totally supportive of that too. But it just worked out to where I enjoyed doing it. I had his full support. He taught me a lot of things I know," Ryan said.

Instead, Ryan attributes the pressure to external factors. "It came more from the outside. The media and the other people watching, they have high expectations of you. It was hard to block that out, especially when you're 18 years old, trying to put your name out there and trying to get a solid job," he explained.

Despite the external pressures, Ryan's father played a crucial role in helping him navigate the challenges. "Dad always did a good job of keeping me away from that pressure, the high expectations, and just remind me to just enjoy what you enjoy doing. That's kind of how I look at it," Ryan said.

Ryan's empathy extends to Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James. Bronny, a talented basketball player in his own right, has been under intense scrutiny since childhood due to his father's unparalleled legacy.

"He has more pressure on him than I ever did. I mean, being LeBron James' kid, one of the greatest basketball players ever to do it, that's a ton of pressure. That's, like, another level," Ryan said.

Ryan believes that the expectations placed on athletes like Bronny can be overwhelming and unrealistic. "I think those kids — I'm 30 now — I see those 18-year-old kids with high expectations that are just thrust on their shoulders. Everyone wants them to be perfect. They're kids. Don't expect too much of them. Just let them do their thing. Let them grow, be who they want to be. And their work ethic has gotta be really great, too," Ryan said.

Bronny, who was a McDonald's All-American in high school, has faced skepticism and doubts about his NBA prospects. Despite his father's extraordinary achievements, scouts have suggested that Bronny may not have the potential to reach the same level of success.

Ryan understands the challenges that Bronny faces and offers him words of encouragement. "I can relate to them a little bit. Just let them do their thing. Let them grow, be who they want to be. And their work ethic has gotta be really great, too," he said.

Ryan Blaney's journey as the son of a racing legend and his empathy for Bronny James provide insights into the unique pressures and challenges faced by children of famous athletes. His message of support and understanding highlights the importance of allowing young athletes to grow at their own pace and embrace their own paths.