LeBron James made a special appearance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to support his alma mater, Ohio State Buckeyes, in the College Football Playoff championship game against Notre Dame. The NBA superstar was captured on ESPN cameras in a suite before kickoff, showcasing his Buckeyes pride by removing his red Ohio State hat and pumping his fist to the cheering crowd.
Known for his strong ties to Ohio, James, a native of Akron, started his professional basketball career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joining him in the stands was Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, accompanied by his wife, Kayla, who is an Ohio State alumna.
Prior to the game, legendary running backs Archie Griffin from Ohio State and Jerome Bettis from Notre Dame were honored on the field. Griffin, a two-time Heisman Trophy winner, and Bettis, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, added to the star-studded audience.
Notably, the Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, was also in attendance. The CFP national championship game coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the first time, aligning with the presidential inauguration day.
Following a poignant message against anti-woke rhetoric at a service in Atlanta, Bernice King participated in the pregame coin toss, marking a significant moment in the historic event.
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