Mark Fletcher Jr still texts his late dad before every game he plays

Mark Fletcher Jr. still texts his dad’s phone before every game. Nearly a year after losing his father in October 2024, the Miami Hurricanes running back honors him with a touching pre-game ritual that keeps their bond alive on the field.

A Bond That Transcends Loss

Big Mark was more than just a devoted Miami Hurricanes fan. He was Mark Jr.’s best friend, foundation, and greatest source of inspiration. The two shared countless traditions on gamedays, from morning meals to pre-kickoff conversations. When he unexpectedly passed away last October, just days before Miami’s game against Florida State, it felt to the young running back like his world had stopped spinning.

But Fletcher Jr. did what his father would have wanted. He took the field. He scored the first touchdown of that game and knelt in the end zone, pointing to the sky in honor of Big Mark. Since that moment, the Tampa native has channeled his grief into pure determination on the field.

The Sacred Oatmeal Tradition

Every morning before a game, Fletcher Jr. eats oatmeal, the same first meal he’s shared with his father for years. But now, he photographs it. He sends that photo to his dad’s phone number. He texts: “I love you and be with me,” knowing the message will go unanswered but hoping it reaches somewhere deeper.

“We got our tradition. I eat oatmeal,” Fletcher shared emotionally. “First meal before every game, send him a picture of my oatmeal, tell him I love you, and then just be with me. He was with me today as he is always.” His mother, Linda, witnessed her son’s pain transform into purpose. “He knows that the texts will not be returned,” she told ESPN. “But his way to still feel connected.”

A Season Dedicated to His Memory

Game Milestone	Performance Details
Texas A&M Playoff Win	172 rushing yards on 17 carries, including crucial 56-yard run
Cotton Bowl MVP	Dominant performance earning conference honors
Total Touchdowns	10 touchdowns in 2025 season so far
Career 100-Yard Games	6 performances after Texas A&M

This season has been transformational for Fletcher Jr. Entering the College Football Playoff game against Texas A&M, he carried just 5 previous 100-yard performances in his career. Against the Aggies, he exploded for 172 rushing yards, leading Miami to a stunning 10-3 upset victory in the first-round playoff game. Every carry, every touchdown, every yard gained has been dedicated to his father.

“It means everything to me. That’s my why. I don’t know what I could tell you what my why was before. I guess I just love playing football, but this is definitely my why now, and it’s going to forever be that.”

— Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami Running Back

Support From Unexpected Places

When Big Mark passed, the grief nearly consumed Fletcher Jr. “I’d get so sad. I’d cry before games,” he admitted. But his Miami family refused to let him carry that burden alone. His teammates showed up at his father’s funeral. They surrounded him in the locker room. His brothers on the team became his rock.

“It was like I was attacked with so much love,” Fletcher Jr. reflected on the overwhelming support. His mother, Linda, has refused to miss a single game since his dad’s passing, despite her fear of flying. She once drove from Fort Lauderdale to California to watch her son play, determined that he wouldn’t grieve alone.

What Will Monday’s Final Test Mean for Mark Fletcher Jr.?

On Monday night in Miami Gardens, just 20 miles from his home, Mark Fletcher Jr. will take the field for the national championship game against Indiana. His mother won’t have to fly or drive across the country. She’ll be in the stands, watching her son honor her late husband’s memory. Before he runs onto that field, he’ll eat oatmeal. He’ll photograph it. He’ll send it to a phone that will never respond but to a heart that never stopped loving him.

The question isn’t whether Big Mark will be with him. He always is. The question is whether Miami can finish what Fletcher Jr. started: winning a championship for a father who always believed.

Sources

• EssentiallySports – Comprehensive profile on Mark Fletcher Jr.’s late father and pre-game ritual
• Saturday Down South – Interview transcript from Texas A&M playoff game featuring Fletcher’s direct quotes
• USA Today – Coverage of Linda Fletcher’s dedication to attending every game