When Indiana defeated Ohio State in the Big 10 title game, it was historic. Indiana just took down Ohio with a historic 13-10 afterall. But standing in a quiet corner with tears in his eyes was IU’s junior defensive lineman, Tyrique Tucker. On his wrist he had a tape wrapped around which read: Tonya’s son. For him, this moment meant more than a title.

His mother, Tonya, had passed away on April 22, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was his “best friend,” the person who always put her children’s needs before her own. More importantly, she was Tyrique’s motivation, and he was hers.  He and his brother fought with her until the end, even raising $70,000 to support her treatment. But some battles don’t end the way you hope.

Now, everything he does is for her. Tyrique has launched an NIL initiative. Through his efforts, people can fight what his mother endured.

“You understand when people are going through that, and they battle with that, finances can play a part, and if you’re able to help anyone and be a blessing to someone, then you should do that,” Tyrique said in a presser on April 2. “Once I heard what it was and who it could help, and it just felt like a personal thing to me, and it really pulled on out, and I was like Yeah, I’m down to do that for sure.”

Tyrique has partnered with Bloomington restaurant, Hive, and created the Squeak Burger. The name “Squeak” too is meaningful, far from a marketing gimmick. 

It was the childhood name, Tonya had given to Tyrique long became he became an All-American. All the proceeds from the sale will now be given to the Cancer Support Community of South Central Indiana. The Squeak Sauce will be a special ketchup variant that will add more flavor to the burger, and, in the process, it will also be a tribute to his mother’s memory.

“I just wanted to build something that was kind of like me,” Tucker said. “Make it big, but make it good…If I can be a blessing to even one person, then I’ll do it, especially knowing how that fight is and what goes into that, just witnessing it firsthand. I felt something pulling me to get this done, and do it for other people.”

Tyrique now expects to give back the same $70,000 amount he once raised for his mother’s cancer battle. It will undoubtedly take a few more such initiatives, but the Indiana DL is committed to the cause and understands “how much people need support when they are going through” battles like cancer.

The Indiana DL first came to JMU in 2023 and redshirted the season. It was the sole ‘big’ offer he had got and he sealed his commitment quickly to Curt Cignetti’s former program. His mother, Tonya, was with him throughout his journey, and next year, when Curt Cignetti switched schools, he extended Tyrique an offer from Indiana, too. That was the last thing Tyrique’s mother knew about his football career before her passing.

“She knew I wanted to come here, and once I got the offer, I told her, and that’s what made me so content,” Tucker said. “That made me feel like this is definitely it, even with other schools that offered me after. This felt so right.”

Though Tyrique’s mother is no longer in this world, the 6-foot and 298 lbs lineman is terrorizing offenses and garnering accolades in her memory. Last year, when his 38 tackles and 6 sacks got him an All-Big Ten selection, Tyrique dedicated it to his mother. “She’s smiling down on me right now,” Tyrique said after helping Indiana win over Ohio State.

Tyrique Tucker opens up on Curt Cignetti’s support after his mother’s passing

Tucker is a standout athlete now and will be returning to Indiana this year for his senior season. Throughout his journey, though, he has had a very supportive ecosystem both at Indiana and JMU. IU head coach Curt Cignetti himself attended services for Tyrique’s mother in Virginia with his coaching staff and remained supportive throughout his grieving process. That helped Tyrique to channel his grief into his games and play every game like his mother was watching from up above.

“He understands what I’ve been through. I think that’s why those moments are special for us,” Tucker said about Cignetti after winning the Big 10 title over Ohio State.

“Anything can help more than you would even think, so just to be able to be a vessel or to potentially help somebody, it just means the world to me, because I’ve seen it and I’ve been through it,” Tucker added about his initiative yesterday.

Tucker’s story is of a little-known recruit from Norfolk, Virginia, who has won it all despite suffering the tragedy of losing his mother. Many would have fallen into the abyss, many would have given hope, but not IU’s #95. He kept going, kept producing those tackles, sacks, and every time he did that, he knew his mother was watching it all. What else could have been a greater tribute to her?