LeBron James mocks Dalton Knecht about Ohio State’s dominant win over Tennessee

Saturday night proved to be a rough one for Tennessee Volunteers fans across the country. The Vols’ 2024 football season came to a crushing end after suffering a 42-17 defeat to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

For Tennessee fans who made the trip to Columbus, the loss wasn’t the only thing they had to endure. As they exited Ohio Stadium late Saturday night, Buckeyes supporters made sure to pile on with plenty of trash talk.

However, the trolling didn’t stop there. Over 2,000 miles away in Sacramento, former Tennessee basketball star Dalton Knecht found himself on the receiving end of some playful banter. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, an Ohio native and proud Buckeyes fan, seized the opportunity to rub the win in Knecht’s face.

LeBron James Adds Salt to the Wound

During a post-game interview, LeBron paused to direct a jab at Knecht about Ohio State’s dominant performance.

“Hey DK, 21-0, don’t worry about it,” shouted James across the locker room, clapping as he delivered the message.

For Knecht, who had just wrapped up his own game, the playful taunt must have stung. Finding out that the Vols were already down big in the first half made the night even tougher for the former Tennessee standout. And hearing it from one of the greatest basketball players of all time only added insult to injury.

Tennessee’s Tough Ending to an Otherwise Strong Season

Despite the disappointing loss, the 2024 season had plenty of highlights for the Vols. Wins against SEC rivals Alabama and Florida in the same season have been rare for Tennessee over the past two decades, making those victories especially sweet.

However, the blowout loss to Ohio State will likely linger in the minds of Tennessee fans for a while. Expectations were high heading into the College Football Playoff, but the Vols were simply outmatched by the Buckeyes.

Ohio State Dominates Early and Never Looks Back

Ohio State wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first half. Their defense stifled Tennessee’s offense, while the Buckeyes’ explosive plays on offense kept the Vols on their heels.

By halftime, Tennessee fans knew it would take a miracle to mount a comeback. Unfortunately, no such miracle occurred, and the Buckeyes continued to pour it on in the second half.

LeBron’s Ohio Roots and Buckeye Pride

LeBron James has never hidden his love for Ohio State. Although he never played college football, James has always supported the Buckeyes, often attending games and cheering them on publicly.

His quick-witted jab at Knecht showcased not only his pride in Ohio State but also his competitive nature. As one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, LeBron’s playful trash talk added another layer of entertainment to an already memorable playoff matchup.

What’s Next for Tennessee and Dalton Knecht?

For Tennessee, the focus now shifts to the offseason. Rebuilding and regrouping will be key as the Vols aim to make another playoff run in 2025.

As for Dalton Knecht, he’ll undoubtedly continue making strides in his professional basketball career. And while he may have had to endure some ribbing from LeBron, Knecht can take solace in the fact that he’s still representing Tennessee at the highest level.

Final Thoughts

LeBron James’s playful jab at Dalton Knecht highlighted the passionate world of college football fandom. For Tennessee fans, the season may have ended in heartbreak, but the journey included plenty of memorable moments.

Meanwhile, Ohio State fans have every reason to celebrate, and LeBron made sure to amplify that joy with his locker-room antics. As the Vols regroup, one thing is clear—they’ll be back with something to prove in 2025.