Surrounded by Support

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – He pushed his way through a group of defenders, made his way into the end zone and immediately dropped to one knee, his finger pointed to the heavens.

And as soon as he stood up, Mark Fletcher Jr. was surrounded by his teammates, embraced by the brothers who have been by his side through this most difficult of weeks.

On Thursday, just days before Fletcher scored the first touchdown in Miami’s annual rivalry game against Florida State, the sophomore running back lost his father, Mark Sr., the man he called his best friend, his constant source of support who was a regular presence at not only the Hurricanes’ games, but at practices on campus.

“Big Mark” as he was affectionately known by Miami’s coaches and players – and the Hurricanes fans he introduced himself to at Hard Rock Stadium and beyond – loved that his son played at Miami and reveled in Fletcher’s accomplishments on, and off the field.

And on Saturday night, after the Hurricanes’ snapped a three-game losing streak against the rival Seminoles with a resounding 36-14 win, Fletcher couldn’t help but smile when thinking about how much his father would have enjoyed how he and his teammates played – and the way 66,200 fans filled every corner of Miami’s home stadium.

“It’s been a long time since he’d seen Hard Rock this packed. I know he would have loved this energy out here. All the seats [were] taken up. I know he would have loved it,” Fletcher said. “So, I just did this for him. All my teammates did this for him. And I just pointed up to the sky for him.”

Fletcher finished the night with 15 carries for 71 yards and for the second straight week, was a significant contributor to a potent rushing attack that made a difference for the Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 ACC).

But it wasn’t just his tough running or the points he put on the board that prompted his Hurricanes coaches and teammates to give Fletcher the game ball after Saturday’s win.

It was the running back’s resiliency and drive that resonated in the Miami locker room.

“This game was for him and his family. What he’s going through outside of football, I don’t wish that on [any] man. He got the game ball. He deserves it,” Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward said. “He’s one of the best teammates that you can ask for as a player on this team. He does all the little things. He never takes days off. He deserves it, and everything that’s going to come his way [in] the future, five, 10 years from now when he gets a chance to play in the League. He deserves everything.”

Said Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, “Mark, even the day of, as emotional as it was, wanted to be around his brothers and his team. You trust that guy with your life because he does everything the right way, regardless of situation and circumstance. And then just looking at him, just hearing him out, this is what he wanted and on top of that, this is what he deserves. … I think if any of us was in that situation, can you imagine? Can you imagine being able to do that? He’s just an elite, unique, off-the-charts human being. He’s just made of the right stuff, and that’s a credit to his parents. He was raised a certain way. That guy is as resilient as it gets. Our hearts, man, what can you say?”

As much as his teammates and coaches’ support has meant over the past few days and as much as he appreciated the gesture of being presented with the game ball, for Fletcher, being on the field Saturday was a given.

He said it’s what his father would have wanted – and it’s what he wanted, too, as a way to honor the man who has meant so much to him and as a way to be there for the people who have been there for him through this difficult time.

“We’re just such a big family. It’s such a brotherhood. When one of us hurts, we all hurt,” Fletcher said. “Losing my dad, it’s so hard. I don’t really know how to cope. I’m still processing. But just being around this team, being around this staff, yeah, I can be down, but they just pick me right up all the time. It’s coming from everybody, not just teammates and coaches, but the staff, the nutritionists, everybody. They’re just all giving me all the support. I love it, man. I’m so thankful.”

And, Fletcher said, he’s grateful for the support he’s received from Miami’s fans, from the ones at Hard Rock Stadium who cheered every time he carried the ball on Saturday, to those who have expressed their condolences through messages on social media after he shared the news of his father’s passing.

All of that, he knows, will help him continue to navigate the tough days, weeks and months that lie ahead.

But as difficult as those days will be, Fletcher won’t be alone. He’ll also have a newfound reason to keep pushing and help the Hurricanes be better, the Hurricanes, who for their part, will continue to stand by their brother.

“I’m staying strong. I know my dad wanted me to come out here and ball out for him,” Fletcher said. “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.”

Said Cristobal, “That was about as difficult of a thing I’ve seen. Mark [Fletcher] Jr., is about as good of a human being, competitor, teammate, brother as you can imagine. It was felt by the entire organization. I mean, everybody knows [Mark Sr.]. He’s got the best seat in the house going forward, looking from above. I know he’s super proud of Mark.”