You got to love Riley Leonard’s mom! You know that feeling when you’re packing up to chase your dreams, but your mom still finds a way to leave her fingerprints on every box? Yeah, that’s literally the situation of the Colts’ new QB. Before he took off to Indianapolis to join his new team, the former Notre Dame QB made sure everyone knew just how big a role his mom played. Not just in his football career, but in making sure he doesn’t stink or stain his shirts.
In a sweet Instagram post on April 27, he gave a shout-out to P&G and Meijer (NIL never sleeps, eh?) but more importantly, he gave his mom Heather her flowers. “Couldn’t have made it here without Mom Now that I’m headed to Indianapolis, she made sure I’m Ready for Anything with P&G and Meijer. From laundry to dishes to cleanups I’ve got everything I need to touchdown in my new home,” he wrote in the caption. Then he reposted that reel on his IG story with a sweet message for his mom which read — “When you’re leaving the nest, but Mom still finds a way to help .” Can it get more wholesome? And truly, Heather outdid herself this time.
Taking fans around their family house, Riley showed how his mom prepared “helpful” little notes with P&G household products. The first began with Tide and a signed note that read — “Grass stains may be cool on the field… But not on dates. Luckily, Tide can help.” The kitchen? Bounty. The note? “Bounty, the quicker picker-upper… because I know you’re not good at cleaning up after yourself.”
Another one with Dawn dishwasher spray. “Dawn cuts through grease as fast as you can read a blitz. Make sure it’s in your roster!” And another one with Charmin starring at the toilet. “You can never have too much Charmin, just like you can never have too much touchdowns on game day.” The dutiful son picked up all the items and the notes and declared, “I gotta make my mom proud in my new home. Stocking up at Meijer is a must ahead of the big move.” The final message that came in the packed Meijer package — “Now you’re ready for anything in Indianapolis! XOXO Mom.”
Riley Leonard’s mom isn’t a typical mom. You know how the “You Suck” message came about right? “It all started in high school. I was tired of everyone always telling me how good I was,” he once told ESPN. “I needed someone to remind me that wasn’t, to motivate me.” And Heather volunteered without hesitation and it’s been a ritual ever since. And now, it’s Colts’ time!
Riley Leonard raves about being in Indianapolis
The humility and fire that built Riley Leonard? It’s what landed him in Indy too. On a crazy Day 3 draft night, the Alabama native heard his name being called at No. 189 as the ninth QB off the board, keeping him in Indiana after his Notre Dame stint. And boy, was he glad to make it on that team. “Every time Indiana comes on the screen, I’m crossing my fingers,” he admitted. “It came at the perfect time. Couldn’t ask for much more. The only place I wanted to be was in Indianapolis. And to hear my name called — it didn’t matter the round — I just wanted to be in the building with the guys.”
On the other hand, the Colts aren’t just getting a sentimental kid with great Instagram stories. They’re getting a 22-year-old who finished his final college season with 2,861 yards and 21 TDs for a National Championship run. He was also impressive in the run game rushing 184 times for 906 yards and 17 TDs. “A couple of things that they enjoyed was, number one, my ability to extend plays and make plays as a playmaker,” Riley Leonard said. “I think they like my preparation, the way that I handle things off the field.”
The bottom line is that Riley Leonard’s got the arm, the legs, and most importantly, the mindset — drilled in with every “You Suck” note. As Marcus Freeman and the Irish wave him off, great things await in Indy.
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