James maintains strong ties to his home state of Ohio. He is from Akron and began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ATLANTA — LeBron James was present at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to support his favorite Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff championship against Notre Dame Monday evening.
ESPN cameras captured James in a suite approximately 45 minutes prior to the start of the game. He had arrived in the city the previous night as he and the Los Angeles Lakers were set to play against the Washington Wizards.
James maintains strong ties to his home state of Ohio. He is from Akron and began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joining James in attendance was Philadelphia Phillies’ standout Bryce Harper, who came to root for the Buckeyes as well. The two-time National League MVP’s wife, Kayla, is an alumna of Ohio State.
A couple of running back greats from Ohio State and Notre Dame were introduced on the field before the game. Archie Griffin, the Heisman Trophy winner for the Buckeyes in 1974 and ’75, appeared alongside ex-Notre Dame star and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jerome Bettis.
Also in attendance was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s youngest daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, who is CEO of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This was the first time the CFP national championship game was held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and also the first time the game was played on the day of a presidential inauguration.
Hours after delivering a warning against anti-woke rhetoric at a service before King’s former congregation in Atlanta, Bernice King participated in the pregame coin toss.
