Duke’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, has a distinctive pre-game ritual that has left football fans both perplexed and intrigued.
Before each game, Leonard receives a text message from none other than his own mother, containing the straightforward message, “You suck.” As an added dimension to this unusual practice, he wears a wristband bearing the same message, all with the aim of keeping his ego firmly in check.
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During a recent matchup between Duke and Clemson, this unique tradition gained attention when it was highlighted by ESPN’s broadcast. The revelation sparked a variety of reactions from fans and viewers, many of whom wondered why Leonard would willingly subject himself to such criticism, particularly from his own mother.
In a previous interview with Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus, Leonard provided insight into the origin of this peculiar ritual. He revealed, “Growing up in a smaller community, I was a really good athlete, and everyone wanted to give me praise all the time. I was so sick of it. I needed someone to bash me, give me some criticism and wake me up. My mom raised her hand and was like, ‘Dude, I’ll do it before every game.'”
Despite the harsh words conveyed in the text, Leonard is quick to emphasize that his mother remains “the sweetest person ever.” He views the message as a necessary reminder, one that helps “bring him back down to reality” and maintain the humility required to succeed in the fiercely competitive realm of college football.
In a recent game against Clemson, Leonard’s unorthodox approach seemed to pay off as he performed admirably, amassing a total of 273 yards and scoring an impressive long touchdown run, contributing to a stunning 28-7 upset win.
