Moments after the 2026 CFP Finals, the spotlight shifted to a heated postgame incident involving Miami’s star RB, Mark Fletcher Jr., and Indiana DL Tyrique Tucker. While the Hoosiers celebrated their historic victory, Fletcher was spotted throwing a punch at Tucker that caught fans and analysts off guard. Finally, the reason behind his using his fists has come to light.

“Dude [Tyrique Tucker] was talking about Mark’s dad, who passed away last year,” Miami’s recruiting director, Mike Rumph, confirmed on the CFP finals controversy. “Mark is and always will be one of the most classy people you will meet. RIP Mr. Fletcher”

Mark Fletcher Jr. lost his father, Mark Fletcher (53), just two days before the Miami vs. South Florida game in 2024. Since then, he’s been emotionally battling with his father’s loss. The Hurricanes’ RB even shared how badly he misses his father in an interview earlier this year.

“I miss him every single day,” Fletcher Jr. said, per the Sun Sentinel. “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. I was emotional that whole day, but then when I saw [my teammates], that’s when I really broke down. … You could ask some players from the team last year. I really broke down. Just threw my shades on, and I was trying to push through that service.”

He even follows a pre-game ritual to date, sending a text message to his dad’s phone, even though he knows that the texts will not be returned. “I text him before every game,” said Mark Fletcher Jr. in the post-game sideline interview to ESPN after the CFP first-round game. “We got our tradition. I eat oatmeal. ‘Hey, first meal before every game, send him a picture of my oatmeal, tell him I love you, and then just be with me. He was with me today as he always is.”

While Fletcher Jr. is still processing the loss of his father and is emotionally connected to his father, the comment from Indiana’s DL triggered him to get involved in the altercation. Other than the stark contrasting moment, it was a breakout postseason run for Fletcher.

Mark Fletcher Jr’s heroic performance in the CFP Finals

Fletcher played a significant role in Miami’s offense in the national championship game. When the Hurricanes trailed 10-0 in the first half, without opening the scoring drive, Fletcher ignited their comeback. He broke free for a dazzling 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, scoring the first points for Miami on the board.

Early in the fourth quarter, he punched in yet another crucial touchdown, which helped narrow Indiana’s lead to just three points at 17-14. Fletcher and Malachi Toney led the Hurricanes’ offense on the grandest stage, hauling in 10 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and racked up 342 total yards on the night.

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Although Miami lost the national championship, the CFP run unlocked his potential under pressure. He did it consistently throughout the Hurricanes’ postseason run. The RB, in the postseason run, totaled 507 yards in four games and was the brightest star when the team needed him the most. His journey this season has been inspiring and dramatic, and there is no doubt that he made his father, Fletcher Sr., proud.