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"Do you know who I am?" - When LeBron's mom got arrested for slapping a valet worker
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- "Do you know who I am?" - When LeBron's mom got arrested for slapping a valet worker
Despite his every breath and word being scrutinized at every turn, LeBron James has been a model citizen for every professional athlete in any discipline. Although he has been a divisive figure in the NBA with plenty of admirers and detractors alike, he has never been involved in any controversies or incidents that could hurt his image.
However, one incident undoubtedly stained his immaculate image a bit, and unfortunately, it was something that was totally out of his control, as it involved his beloved mother, Gloria, who was arrested for assaulting a valet worker at the Fontainebleau Hotel in early April 2011.
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Gloria had one too many drinks
According to a report on ESPN, Gloria got irked when the valet worker, Rockfeller Sorel, took too long to deliver her vehicle. Sorel recalled that Gloria then slapped him "very, very hard" before falling to the floor.
Police reports indicated that LeBron's mother smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes when law enforcement officers arrived at the scene. They also claimed that numerous witnesses can corroborate Sorel's version of what transpired.
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While Sorel wasn't physically hurt, he shared that he felt utterly humiliated by the way Gloria treated him.
"I'm very, very humiliated because she told me again, 'Do you know who I am?' when she slapped me," Rockfeller remarked .
Gloria was brought to the Miami Beach police department and was charged with simple battery and disorderly conduct. She was also released to Miami Heat executive Steve Stowe.
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A sensitive matter
LeBron didn't hide from the situation, calling it "sensitive" when he queried about it.
"It's very sensitive because it's your mother, of course," LeBron said. "People around me are helping me, helping her."
While Bron didn't elaborate further on the condition of his mother other than to say that she was "fine," the King explained that he is trying his best to move forward.
"It is my life. Just try to not let things be a distraction. I have a job to do. It's a personal matter that's being taken care of," LeBron stated.
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That incident was just another in the long list of things that LeBron had to deal with during the 2010-11 season. After all, that was the season that he left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to relocate to Miami and form the "Big 3" with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh . The decision was met with intense backlash, including burning of his jerseys and vicious attacks from fans and media alike.
Aside from being criticized not only for leaving the Cavs in the lurch but also for seemingly taking the easy way to the title by teaming up with two of the best players in the NBA at the time, LBJ also had to navigate a new environment and new teammates.
Gloria's situation was eventually resolved in March 2012 when she agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors, which required her to serve 20 hours of community service and donate $1,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. She was also asked to stay as far away from Sorel.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
