“You suck”: Exploring Riley Leonard’s mom’s unique message to him before games

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured their place in the national championship game with a last-minute field goal, capped by a dramatic 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday. But behind every matchup, quarterback Riley Leonard receives an unconventional source of motivation, a simple yet jarring text from his mother, Heather Leonard.

In an ESPN feature published in September 2023, Riley explained the message and the context behind it.

“My mom, before every football game, texts me, ‘You suck,’” Leonard said. “It started in high school. I was tired of everybody telling me how good I was all the time. I needed someone to tell me I suck every once in a while to give me some motivation.”

The tradition may sound harsh, but it’s all part of a unique bond between mother and son. Heather Leonard told ESPN:

“It lets him know, as much as I am telling him, ‘You suck,’ I’m also kinda telling him that I love you and I’m behind you and I’m supporting you.”

This unusual ritual works. Leonard, an All-State quarterback from Fairhope High School in Alabama, has become a standout college athlete. During his high school years, he excelled not only in football but also in basketball and track.

His collegiate journey began at Duke before transferring to Notre Dame, where he has led the Fighting Irish to remarkable heights.

While Leonard’s performance on the field has been stellar, his mother’s motivational texts remain a cherished tradition. Even Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman appreciates their significance.

“When I heard that, it’s a reminder to me of why he’s so competitive,” Freeman said. “Whatever it is that she’s doing, it’s working, and it’s getting him to play at a high level.”

This season, Leonard has recorded 2,383 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also showcased his versatility with 831 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

Riley Leonard: A star QB’s path to the College Football Playoff

Riley Leonard's journey to leading Notre Dame to a College Football Playoff berth and beyond has been nothing short of extraordinary. The former Fairhope quarterback has guided his team to an unprecedented postseason, marking the Fighting Irish's first CFP appearance under the new format.

Notre Dame ended the regular season with an impressive 13-1 record, earning the No. 7 seed in the playoff bracket. Under Leonard’s leadership, the Irish defeated Indiana 27-17 in the opening round and upset No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl to secure their spot in the championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Leonard’s success stems from his multi-sport background at Fairhope High, where he played quarterback and excelled in basketball and baseball. Despite offers to play both sports at the collegiate level, Leonard ultimately chose football, signing with Duke in 2021.

After three seasons with the Blue Devils, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame for his senior year, a decision influenced by his family’s long-standing connection to the university, where his great-grandfather on his mother’s side was a Fighting Irish player.