ATLANTA — LeBron James made his way to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to support his cherished Ohio State Buckeyes as they faced off against Notre Dame for the College Football Playoff championship on Monday night.
ESPN captured the moment as James was spotted in a suite approximately 45 minutes prior to the game’s kickoff. He had arrived in the city the night before his Los Angeles Lakers were scheduled to host the Washington Wizards. As the first half unfolded, James appeared on the stadium’s video board, where he excitedly removed his red Ohio State cap, revealing it to the audience while raising his right fist in celebration as he was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
LeBron has maintained strong connections to Ohio, his home state, where he hails from Akron and started his NBA journey with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Also present at the event was Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper, who came to support the Buckeyes. Harper’s wife, Kayla, is an Ohio State alumna and was enthusiastic about her husband’s presence at the game.
Among the notable figures supporting Notre Dame were former coach Lou Holtz, who is now 88 years old, and famous musician Jon Bon Jovi, both of whom watched the game from luxury suites.
Before the game kicked off, two legendary running backs from Ohio State and Notre Dame were introduced on the field. Archie Griffin, a two-time Heisman Trophy winner for the Buckeyes in the mid-1970s, stood alongside Jerome Bettis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Notre Dame star.
In a significant moment, Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, also attended the game. This championship marked a special occasion as it was the first time the CFP national championship was held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, coinciding with a presidential inauguration.
After delivering remarks about anti-woke sentiments at a service for King’s previous congregation in Atlanta earlier in the day, Bernice King participated in the ceremonial coin toss ahead of the matchup.
