Robert Griffin III never misses an opportunity to inject humor into the sports conversation, and his latest post proves it again. After Mattel announced that NBA star LeBron James would be the first male athlete to be turned into a Barbie doll, RGIII took to social media with a perfectly timed reaction that’s getting plenty of attention.
Griffin, a previous Pro Bowl quarterback who became an analyst, gained recognition for his sharp humor and incisive commentary on current sporting events. On this occasion, instead of crafting a lengthy analysis or strong opinion, he simply shared a brief, nine-word message along with a photo of the doll, which sparked widespread online discussion.

Robert Griffin III’s View on the LeBron James Barbie Doll
They accomplished it. We now have a Lekin Barbie doll, Griffin wrote on X Along with an image of the recently launched LeBron James Barbie doll. This figure depicts James in his iconic pre-game ritual attire: A tailored suit, sunglasses, and sneakers.
Griffin's playful "LeKen" moniker quickly became popular among fans, as the post garnered 45.7K views, 88 comments, 27 shares, and 370 likes. The feedback was varied. from suggesting to transform it into a body pillow to " The children will enjoy it just as much as they adore him. .”
James Becomes First Male Athlete Named Barbie ‘Kenbassador’
The doll is part of a fresh partnership between Mattel and James. The Los Angeles Lakers player has been appointed as Barbie’s latest "Kenbassador," marking him as the inaugural male athlete to earn this distinction. This launch honors LeBron’s significance outside of basketball, recognizing his contributions to athletics, style, charity work, and entrepreneurship.
Mattel mentioned that the doll seeks to celebrate individuals leveraging their platforms to motivate others and bring about significant transformation. According to Krista Berger, Mattel’s Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls, the brand aimed to recognize someone embodying Barbie’s objective of igniting the boundless potential within every child. LeBron fit these criteria perfectly.
Ken has been Barbie's long-time best friend and supporter, said Berger We're thrilled to present Kenneth in a way that honors LeBron as an inspirational figure, acknowledging his iconic stature, profound cultural influence, and commitment to exemplifying positivity for future generations aiming to achieve boundless possibilities.
James highlighted the essence of the collaboration, pondering over the impact of good role models and explaining why this instance means more than simply having a toy modeled after him.
He stated, "When I was a child, I had the good fortune to encounter mentors who motivated me and demonstrated what could be achieved through perseverance and commitment. Today, as an adult, I realize the significance of having inspiring individuals for younger generations to admire. This is precisely why collaborating with Barbie to launch the LeBron James Kenbarbies doll feels like such an accolade. It provides a chance to acknowledge the profound influence of those who foster self-assurance, ignite aspirations, and illustrate to children that they, too, possess the potential to attain excellence."
The James doll will be accessible to fans on Monday, April 14th, priced at $75. You can buy it either in-store from chosen Target locations or through their website as well as those of Amazon, Walmart, and Mattel Creations.