ATLANTA (AP) — LeBron James was in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes play Notre Dame for the College Football Playoff championship Monday night.

ESPN cameras showed James in a suite about 45 minutes before kickoff. He was in town the night before he and the Los Angeles Lakers were to host the Washington Wizards. Late in the first half, James was shown on the stadium video board. He took off his red Ohio State hat to show it to the crowd and pumped his right fist as the fans cheered.

James maintains strong ties to his home state of Ohio. He is from Akron and began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper also was on hand to cheer for the Buckeyes. The two-time National League MVP’s wife, Kayla, attended Ohio State.

Among the Notre Dame supporters on hand were 88-year-old former coach Lou Holtz and recording artist Jon Bon Jovi, both of whom watched from suites.

LeBron James cheers on Ohio State at College Football Playoff championship game | iNFOnews.ca — Philadelphia Phillies First Baseman Bryce Harper watches during warm ups before the College Football Playoff national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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.