‘That’s my why’: Hurricanes’ Mark Fletcher Jr. playing in honor of his late father
After the Miami Hurricanes’ blowout win earlier this season, a win in which he ran for a season-high 120 yards and two touchdowns, Mark Fletcher Jr. walked into the postgame press conference room with a reminder of who he is playing for.
On his bright orange and green sleeveless shirt were the words “Long live” at the top over two photos of his father, Mark Sr.
“That’s my why,” Fletcher said that night in mid-September. “I don’t know what I would tell you what my ‘why’ was before. I just loved playing football, but this is definitely my why now and will forever be that way.”
Mark Sr., known as “Big Mark” to those close to him, was a lot of things. His son, who is midway through his junior season, described him as “Funny. Loving. A loving husband, loving father, loving friend, brother. An overall great person.”
And that made this past year all the tougher for Fletcher.
Friday marked the one-year anniversary of Mark Sr.’s unexpected death. He was 53. The news hit Fletcher hard, coming days before Miami’s annual rivalry game against Florida State last season. His dad’s selfless nature and boisterous personality was evident to anyone who he crossed paths with. That’s not lost on Fletcher.
Over the past year, Fletcher has made it his mission to live his life in his dad’s honor as best he can.
“I miss him every single day,” Fletcher said. “But just the way he left his legacy, I just have nothing to do but just carry it in the best way, and that’s what I plan to do.”
He’s honoring “Big Mark” the right way on and off the field.
Entering No. 9 Miami’s game against Stanford on Saturday night, Fletcher led the Hurricanes with 446 rushing yards and six rushing TDs. His average of 74.33 rushing yards per game ranks fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 50th nationally. His six total rushing touchdowns are tied for sixth in the conference and tied for 46th nationally.
Fletcher has 20 career rushing touchdowns in two-and-a-half seasons at Miami, one shy of tying Clinton Portis for 10th all-time in UM history.
But beyond his production on the field, Fletcher has evolved into a veteran presence in the locker room and one of the team’s more vocal players. His passion for the game — and his desire to make himself and his teammates better every day — is evident.
“As steady as he is as a person, as a leader for our team, for our group, I don’t know if words can put that into any perspective or do it any justice,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said before the season. “He just is who he is. And everybody sees it. He’s very genuine. What he went through last year and to keep playing was really inspirational.”
That inspiration is a two-way street, though. Fletcher’s teammates are there for him as much as Fletcher is there for them. That was on full display last year when the entire team showed up for Mark Sr.’s funeral service.
Fletcher was taken aback by the support.
“I was emotional that whole day, but then when I saw them, that’s when I really broke down,” Fletcher said. “You could ask some players from the team last year. I really broke down. Just threw my shades on, and I was just trying to push through that service. But having those guys all show up — not even just a team, but the nutritionists, people I’m close with, the trainers, and, of course, the coaches — that meant everything in the world to me.”
Added Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal: “His energy, his spirit, his heart, his leadership, his care factor is awesome. Mark Fletcher is a special, special young man. Big Mark is watching him from above. I know he’s extremely proud of his son. He’s a guy that you can’t wait to go practice and watch him practice, because he’s gonna bring it. He’s gonna change the energy of the entire team.”
That was on display in the days following his dad’s passing. Fletcher easily could have sat out that Florida State game. No one would have judged him for it.
But he felt he had to play in that game. It’s what his dad would have wanted.
And what did Fletcher do that night? He opened scoring for Miami, barreling into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown on the Hurricanes’ opening drive. After the touchdown, Fletcher got down on one knee and lifted his right pointer finger toward the sky.
“I’m staying strong,” Fletcher said after that game, a 36-14 Miami win. “I know my dad wanted me to come out here and ball out for him. It’s just extra motivation. I love that man so much. He’s going to be so missed. But I’ve got to keep his legacy living on. I’m so happy I got his name. I’m so happy I got his name.”
That joy is what keeps Fletcher going. Whenever times are tough, he thinks back to the impact his dad had — on himself, on his family, on his friends, even complete strangers.
“He was a people’s person, bigger than life,” Fletcher said. “Never really did anything for himself, always looking out for others. Even growing up — I never thought about this — but growing up, he would pick 10 kids up and drop them off for practice. I’m just a kid getting in the car with him, just going to practice. We drop them and all, my younger teammates, off, (and) I’m just thinking about my goodness, that gas money, shoot — just things like that. He was just a great person, great role model, great father.”
“I think about him. That’s my motivation,” Fletcher added. “I think about him to come out here and practice hard every single day on Greentree, in the weight room, anything I do in life, in the classroom. Anytime I’m having a hard time, I just (think), ‘What would my dad tell me to do?’ and I just suck it up and I’m … ready for anything.”
This story was originally published October 25, 2025 at 8:09 AM.
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