The 2026 College Football Playoff national championship game will be a family affair for Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
A South Florida native, Fletcher has the chance to win a national title for the team he grew up rooting for, and could cap off what has been an emotional year-plus for the Hurricanes star. His father, Mark Sr., is the reason he was a Miami fan, showing him at a young age highlights of the program’s great players from their dominant runs in the 1980s-early 2000s.
Fletcher’s dad died in October 2024, and his mother, Linda, has made sure to be at every game of her son’s career, even if it’s in an unorthodox way. But now, Fletcher can bring glory back to the program, and celebrate with his family in his own backyard.
‘Simply a blessing to do it back at home,’ Fletcher told reporters on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Mark Fletcher Jr.’s mom drives to every game
Linda Fletcher is frequently shown on the broadcast, and it’s often noted she drives to every Miami game, regardless of the location. She doesn’t fly to games, as she told ESPN she doesn’t like being on planes.
So, Linda Fletcher drives to every venue, and it has been a busy road for the College Football Playoff run. Always starting at home in Fort Lauderdale, she drove to College Station, Texas for the first round at Texas A&M, the quarterfinal in Arlington, Texas against Ohio State and then the semifinal in Glendale, Arizona against Mississippi.
For just the CFP, she has driven roughly 9,800 miles in the past month, and about 18,000 miles on the season. She also drove to Berkeley, California for Miami’s game against Cal last season.
But with Miami playing the title game in its home stadium, how long will the drive be for mom? About 15 minutes.
‘I know she’s extremely pumped. I know she’s extremely pumped,’ Fletcher said. ‘My girl only gotta do 15 minutes this time. So she’s good.’
She won’t be the only family member in the crowd, as Fletcher said there are ‘too many to name’ coming to the game.
It’s become a surreal moment for Fletcher, who said his younger self wouldn’t believe the position he is in. He has been a catalyst for the Hurricanes, averaging 131.6 yards per game in the College Football Playoff.
He wants to serve as an inspiration to kids in the area the same way he was inspired, thanks to his father.
‘I used to watch all the old Hurricane greats,’ Fletcher said. ‘To be able to make history, to be able to have little kids say that was Mark Fletcher who played in the national championship game for the Hurricanes, it just means everything to me. It’s a dream come true. I’m so blessed.’
When, where is 2026 CFP national championship game?
Time/date: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
The 2026 CFP national title game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which is coincidentally the home stadium for the Hurricanes. The venue is also home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
How to watch 2026 CFP national championship game
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The CFP national championship game will air live on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial. ESPN2 will have an alternative viewing with ‘Field Pass with ‘The Pat McAfee Show,” while ESPNU will have a ‘Film Room’ telecast.
