If it seems like Lebron has won every award lately it’s because he has. He finished the year strong today by being named the 2013 Associated Press male athlete of the year. James received 31 of 96 votes cast in a poll of news organizations, beating Peyton Manning (20) and Jimmie Johnson (7). “I’m chasing something and it’s bigger than me as a basketball player,” James told the AP. “I believe my calling is much higher than being a basketball player. I can inspire people. Youth is huge to me. If I can get kids to look at me as a role model, as a leader, a superhero … those things mean so much, and that’s what I think I was built for. I was put here for this lovely game of basketball, but I don’t think this is the biggest role that I’m going to have.” Lebron joins Michael Jordan and Larry Bird as the only NBA players to win the award. Hit the jump.

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