The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game means running back Leonard Fournette will play in the Super Bowl for the first time in his career. Getting a shot at the Lombardi Trophy is the perfect culmination of a roller-coaster journey since he came into the NFL.
Fournette even admitted to breaking down in tears after beating the Packers:
“It feels good just to be a Buc,” Fournette said, via the team‘s official transcript. “(Brady) is a great one. I just thank God every day. I was crying for like 30 minutes — I was on the phone with my mom and my dad just [talking] about my journey. First, in Jacksonville, from me going to jail, from me getting cut — I think it's a wonderful story how it's playing out.”
Leonard Fournette began his career as a potential future star with the Jacksonville Jaguars after getting drafted fourth overall in 2017. However, things didn't work out well for the former LSU standout in northeast Florida.
The running back was suspended by the team after figuring in an in-game fight against a couple of players from the Buffalo Bills back in 2018. Fournette was also arrested in the 2019 offseason for driving with a suspended license along with a speeding violation.
After ending a tumultuous three-year stint with the Jaguars, the running back found a new lease on his career thanks to the Buccaneers. Despite not being the team's primary rusher, Fournette has made the most out of the opportunities received from head coach Bruce Arians.
Fournette showed his value on the field against the Packers on Sunday, generating 55 rushing yards on 12 carries along with a touchdown as the Buccaneers snagged the 31-26 victory.
Fournette is hoping people see him in a different light now:
“I'm just thankful for my journey,” Fournette said. “Hopefully, whatever was out there on my name, hopefully, has changed, you know what I mean? Because I'm not the a—— that they say I was or things like that. I just love football, and I love winning.”
Two weeks from now, Leonard Fournette will be given the opportunity to pen a perfect ending to his campaign when Tampa Bay faces the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 7. for the Super Bowl LV title.
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