LeBron James was at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night to support Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Born and raised in the state of Ohio, the NBA superstar has been a Buckeyes fan since a young age.
Monday night was another opportunity to show his deep passion for the football program. James was very enthusiastic about the development of the game on many occasions as the Buckeyes put on a dominant display in Atlanta. However, there was one case that became more noticeable during the match.
As the game came to a close, Notre Dame was pushing for a comeback. The Fighting Irish scored a touchdown after Riley Leonard found Jaden Greathouse from 30 yards out to make it an eight-point game. With the pressure mounting, the Buckeyes made a crucial play.
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Ohio State started the next play after Notre Dame’s touchdowns at their own 24. However, they had difficulty advancing the ball, which gave the Irish some momentum. However, in a 3rd and 11 situation, Will Howard found Jeremiah Smith with a 56-yard pass that sent them into the red zone.
LeBron James looked excited after this explosive play, celebrating with the people around him in the stands. The play ended any hopes the Fighting Irish had and ultimately resulted in a field goal for the Buckeyes.
Check out the moment below:
Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014
Ohio State captured its first national championship in a decade, marking a return to the top of college football. The Buckeyes’ last title came during the 2014 season under coach Urban Meyer when they defeated Oregon 42-20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The program’s last two national championship victories are historic, as the Buckeyes have now captured titles in both the inaugural four-team and 12-team playoffs. Their 34-23 victory against Notre Dame ensured they were the first champions of this expanded postseason format.
Ohio State has appeared in the CFP four times in Ryan Day’s six years of coaching. They came closest to the national title in the 2022 season when they played Alabama in the championship game. However, the Crimson Tide outscored the Buckeyes, winning 52-24.
After their dominant display since the first round, this time it is certainly a well-deserved victory for Ryan Day’s team. The coach and his team entered the playoffs under intense pressure after the fourth consecutive loss to rival Michigan. However, they were able to turn things around when it mattered most.
Edited by Ruth John S.