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LeBron James narrates Ohio State football season-opening hype video

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 12:05 PM

Last updated Sep 5, 2026

LeBron James narrates Ohio State football season-opening hype video

Summary

LeBron James provided the narration for the Ohio State Buckeyes' 2026 season-opening hype video. Titled "The Bell Tolls," the 82-second clip debuted September 3 ahead of the team's matchup against the Ball State Cardinals at Ohio Stadium. The video features the Los Angeles Lakers forward reciting a script over music by Metallica. The partnership drew criticism on social media, where fans questioned his ties to the university and his decision to represent the program. Ohio State enters the game with a 26-game winning streak in season openers, the longest such run in the country. The Buckeyes are favored to win the meeting, which takes place today, September 5.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•LeBron James narrated an 82-second Ohio State promotional video released September 3.
•The video highlights the team's first meeting against the Ball State Cardinals.
•Ohio State enters the game with a 26-game winning streak in season openers.
•The matchup is scheduled for September 5 at Ohio Stadium.
•Critics on social media questioned the collaboration due to the athlete's history of supporting other programs.

Latest Updates

12:05 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Akron Football Not Relevant Enough’ — Sports World Mocks LeBron James Narrating Ohio State’s Season-Opening Hype Video

What they're saying

"
LeBron James is known for commanding a room, but his latest off-court gig has left college sports fans scratching their heads. The 22-time All-Star recently participated in Ohio State’s marketing campaign to kick off the Buckeyes’ 2026 football season.
— Yahoo Sports

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