Notre Dame Fighting Irish Quarterback Riley Leonard Drew Inspiration From His Athletic Father, Chad Leonard, a Former Division 1 Basketball Player!

January 14, 2026

This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on January 13, 2026

Quarterback Riley Leonard followed in his father’s footsteps in basketball; however, his father transitioned into golf.

Leonard exited Orange Bowl and sought medical help for a possible head injury following Penn State’s Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas hitting him on January 9, 2026.

The quarterback hit the back of his helmet on the turf, and Steve Angeli replaced him.

Nonetheless, exciting the playoff game in the first half, Leonard, who returned in the second half after being declared asymptomatic, helped his team win.

He led Notre Dame to the national championship game in a CFP win. This remarkable moment is something that his parents take great pride in.

Riley Leonard’s Father Finished His Division 1 Basketball Career With 137 Steals!

Quarterback Riley Leonard was born to his parents, father Chad and mother Heather Leonard, in 2002 in Fairhope, AL.

His father, Chad, was a basketball guard at The Citadel from 1992 until 1995. While at The Citadel, he matched the school’s single-game record for steals.

Chad tied the school record for the most steals in a single game with 7 steals during a game against Clemson on December 18, 1994.

Similarly, he set a new record for the most steals in a single season, with 68 steals in 1995.

The 6 feet 1 inch tall Chad finished his career with 137 steals, making the history as the second highest in the program’s history.

Despite previously being involved in basketball, he is involved in golf as a golf course operator.

He boasts experience working as a general manager at Rock Creek & Craft Farms for almost two decades, i.e., 18 years to be precise.

Originally from Bethesda, Md., Chad shared the backstory behind how he got into golf during a brief with Gateway Initiative.

Leonard’s great-grandmother, i.e., Chad’s grandmother, decided to start playing golf so that she could spend quality time with her husband.

However, quickly, she figured out golf wasn’t for her, and she dropped her golf kit in Chad’s house, and that’s when he got into the sport.

During the 2026 interview, Chad also mentioned that his family had a 2-year plan when they moved to Baldwin County, which was 14 years ago. 

Chad’s athletic history in sports has significantly influenced Riley, inspiring him to pursue a career in the sport.

His transition from basketball to a career as a golf professional at Rivertowne Country Club and Patriots Point speaks volumes about his commitment to sports.

Riley Leonard and His Mother, Heather, Have a Special Pre-game Ritual They’ve Followed Before Every Game Since His High School Days!

Leonard’s mother, Heather Leonard, with her degree in special education from the College of Charleston, has been Riley’s most prominent motivational force.

She is best known for her unique yet unconventional pre-game ritual of sending Leonard a two-word text, which surprised many.

Before every game, his mother would send him a jarring text, a unique approach that has helped him stay grounded.

Heather sends “You Suck” before every game as a source of motivation. During an interview with ESPN, he briefly talked about their ritual, saying:

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.

This unique tradition between the mother and son started in high school. “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,” he added.

His mother, Heather, shared that the phrase assures him that she loves him. Despite being harsh, it works every single time without fail.

Though unconventional, this tradition is indeed a unique way of bonding between a mother and a son.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Quarterback Riley Leonard and have been dating since 2017.
• Leonard’s uncle, Michael Sabol, also played basketball at Georgetown University from 1990 until 1991, let alone his father.

• Check other Articles on

Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.

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