LeBron James is popularly known as “The King of Ohio”, but a year back, he passed the torch – sort of – to Kansas City chiefs Tight End Travis Michael Kelce, as the latter’s romance with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift began to bloom.
BOTH JAMES AND KELCE HAVE OHIO ROOTS
LeBron James earned the nickname “King James” in high school due to his exceptional talent and hype as a future NBA superstar. While not officially dubbed “King of Ohio,” the nickname stuck, fueled by his Ohio roots – he was born in Akron, Ohio – bringing championships to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his immense contributions to the state’s basketball scene. Though occasionally challenged for the unofficial title, he remains deeply connected to and celebrated in Ohio.
LeBron James is CURRENTLY 157 points away from becoming the first player in NBA history to reach the 40,000-point benchmark.
At his current scoring average of 24.8 PPG, he’s set to reach and surpass 40K in 7 games.
We’re on the verge of more history. 👑 pic.twitter.com/GqQfCDDT9m
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) February 11, 2024
Not unlike that of James, Travis Kelce’s roots run deep in Ohio. Born and raised in Cleveland Heights, he and his brother Jason honed their football skills there, later attending the University of Cincinnati. While Travis now shines for the Kansas City Chiefs, his Ohio upbringing shaped him, evident in his work ethic and his podcast “New Heights,” co-hosted with his brother, where they often reminisce about their Cleveland roots.
James temporarily passed the unofficial title to Kelce in 2023, following a stellar performance by the latter, leading to the Kansas City Chiefs defeating Denver Broncos. “Sometimes you’ve got to give the crown up to the next one. What Travis got going on right now, and the Swifties, I’m gonna give the crown to him right now,” James said on Amazon Prime Video.
"I'm gonna give the crown to him right now"@KingJames is happy to let @tkelce be North East Ohio's most famous man for now.#TNFonPrime | #TNFinTheShop pic.twitter.com/Q3ITK4akrE
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 12, 2023
KELCE’S AND SWIFT’S HAVE HAD A REMARKABLE IMPACT ON THE NFL
Kelce and Swift’s romance has had an undeniable impact on the NFL, setting up a media frenzy, boosting ratings and social media engagement. Swift’s presence at games drew new viewers, while their public displays of affection resonated with fans, increasing both their profiles. NFL social media capitalized on the buzz, and the league subtly acknowledged the relationship’s positive impact. Some critics argue it trivializes the sport, however it undeniably brings fresh eyes and excitement to the NFL, potentially opening doors to attract new demographics like Gen Z and female fans.
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