LeBron James, a passionate Ohio State Buckeyes fan and Akron native, showed his support during the College Football Playoff (CFP) championship game on Monday night. Held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the game pitted Ohio State against Notre Dame in a thrilling matchup.
Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies star and two-time National LeagueMVP, was also in attendance to cheer for the Buckeyes. Harper’s connection to Ohio State comes through his wife, Kayla, who is an alum of the university.
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Celebrities show support for Ohio State
LeBron James was spotted by ESPN cameras in a stadium suite about 45 minutes before kickoff. The NBA star, who has long maintained a strong connection to his home state, attended the game just one night before the Los Angeles Lakers were set to host the Washington Wizards.
Bryce Harper’s appearance added to the star-studded atmosphere. Known for his presence on and off the baseball field, Harper has also built a significant following on TikTok, further amplifying his influence among younger fans.
Other notable figures at the event included legendary running backs Archie Griffin and Jerome Bettis. Griffin, a two-time Heisman Trophy winner for Ohio State, shared the spotlight with Bettis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Notre Dame standout, during a pregame ceremony.
A meaningful night on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The game was historic for several reasons. It marked the first time the CFP national championship was held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the Rev. Bernice King, youngest daughter of the civil rights leader, played a special role in the pregame coin toss.
Earlier in the day, Bernice King delivered a powerful speech at a service in Atlanta, warning against divisive rhetoric. Her presence at the championship game underscored the significance of the day and the event’s alignment with her father’s legacy of unity and nonviolence.
With such a high-profile lineup of attendees, the CFP championship game was not only a thrilling sports event but also a reflection of Ohio State’s wide-reaching influence and the importance of the day it was played on.