LeBron James is a well-known Ohio State backer. He’s such a vocal OSU supporter, in fact, that Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center is giving away free LeBron Nike Soldier 10’s to all babies born there Friday and Saturday.
When the announcement of this amazing baby-kicks giveaway surfaced, Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue said the whole squad would attend Saturday’s huge rivalry game with Michigan before flying to Philadelphia for their Sunday afternoon game.
Considering how the Cavs rallied around the Cleveland Indians during their run to the World Series, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that they’re backing their (kind of) hometown college Saturday. (Where’s the love for Cleveland State?!)
It seems the Cavs are having a great time, as they’ve been treated to the ultimate Columbus VIP experience—a sideline hangout with the legend himself, Brutus the Buckeye.
Squad. pic.twitter.com/DLN3VivhL9
After they made their way up to a box, Uninterrupted posted a hilarious video of the Cavs hanging out and wondering whether they have college football eligibility.
Help @TheRealJRSmith out here - are he & @KingJames technically still eligible to play college football? pic.twitter.com/EIRN8xzYpr
A number of the Cavs, including J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Chris Andersen, posed for a photo with Brutus. When Ohio State scored a touchdown to go up 7-3 in the second quarter, ABC panned to the Cavs on the sideline and found the class of the Eastern Conference dancing in celebration.
Though LeBron didn’t make the photo (since when does LeBron miss a Cavs team photo?), he was of course in attendance—and leading the dancing charge.
LeBron James and the Cavs are here. I can also confirm that J.R. Smith is wearing a shirt. #MICHvsOSU pic.twitter.com/4hNfHLLQ5f
The greatest basketball player in the world is on the scene to cheer on OSU. Also, LeBron James is there. pic.twitter.com/e7J5f1NPlO
.@KingJames ready to suit up if needed. pic.twitter.com/jVN05VPINL
He also tweeted some support of Ohio State (and, of course, Nike) earlier in the day.
Built for dominance. @ohiostatefb is battle ready in the LeBron Soldier 10 Cleat.
Any Field. Every Time.https://t.co/IWEuNXrDUb pic.twitter.com/0wWzBGi0Gc
How much do you think Nike spent on giving away those sneakers to newborns? Now, how much do you think they've made in free advertising behind the LeBron-centered promotion efforts this weekend? People probably don't even realize they're being sold something. Marketing greatness from Nike.
This is shaping up to be a tremendous college football game between two excellent 10-1 Big Ten teams. You can catch the rest of it on ABC.
