Why billionaire Jeff Bezos was at the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Those who watched Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony for the Class of 2019 may have seen a familiar face who looked somewhat out of place. Billionaire Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, was in Canton taking in the festivities. He was actually sitting in a section with Tony Gonzalez’s friends and family. There’s a good reason for that.

In January, Bezos and ex-wife MacKenzie announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage. Bezos went public a month later about his relationship with former TV reporter Lauren Sanchez, who in April finalized a divorce with her ex-husband, Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell.

Sanchez, 49, shares a son with Gonzalez. Nikko, 18, is the first child for both Sanchez and Gonzalez. Sanchez later had two children with Whitesell. Gonzalez later had three children with his wife, October. Both Sanchez and Bezos were in Canton supporting Gonzalez.

Bezos, who is among the richest people in the world, was sitting in between Sanchez and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the ceremony:

So Matt Ryan and Jeff Bezos are boys now?!? pic.twitter.com/oJRSIZIkhB

— dickie (@DickSutherland) August 4, 2019

Ryan teamed with Gonzalez on the Falcons from 2009 until the tight end’s retirement after the 2013 season.

Bezos’ Amazon company also has streaming deals with the NFL and works with other sports on its “All or Nothing” franchise.