Leonard Joseph Fournette III, born on January 18, 1995, is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He gained prominence during his college football career while playing for the LSU Tigers.
Fournette’s skills and potential were recognized, leading to his selection as the fourth overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Leonard Fournette entered college in 2014 with remarkable hype following a stellar career at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans.
He garnered several accolades, including the 2013 USA Today High School Football Offensive Player of the Year and being recognized as the top-ranked recruit in the 2014 senior class by ESPN, 247Sports.com, and CBS Sports.
During his time at LSU, Fournette continued to impress, earning consensus All-America honors after his sophomore season in 2015.
He set numerous school records, including 1,953 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in a single season, while leading the nation with an average of 162.8 rushing yards per game.
His exceptional performances led many experts to regard him as the best player in college football at the time.
Parents
Leonard Fournette was raised in the 7th Ward of New Orleans by his parents, Leonard Jr. and Lory.
He grew up in a challenging neighborhood marked by violence and gang activity, particularly following the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The hurricane forced Fournette to relocate to Houston temporarily before returning to New Orleans within a year.
Fournette attributes the hurricane as a pivotal moment that propelled his football career forward.
Additionally, he acknowledges his mother’s strong Catholic faith as instrumental in helping their family navigate the recovery process after the devastation caused by Katrina.
Siblings
Leonard Fournette grew up with his three siblings, Lanard Fournette, Lanata Fournette, and Latae Fournette.
The Fournette brothers, Leonard and Lanard, shared the exprience of being on LSU’s football team together in the years 2015 and 2016.
Lanard, however, redshirted during his freshman year.
In terms of rushing yards, the Fournette brothers hold the record for the highest combined total among brothers in LSU history, entering the 2019 season with a remarkable 3,956 yards.
Leonard Fournette individually amassed an impressive 3,830 yards during his tenure at LSU from 2014 to 2016.
In 2017, Lanard was arrested and charged with illegal gambling Monday.
According to WAFB, Fournette allegedly used someone else’s ID to gamble at L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Girlfriend
Leonard is not married but is in a relationship with Jamie Jones, the owner of the online shopping platform called The Belle Couture.
The brand is featured on Instagram, where Jamie frequently shares pictures of the apparel. Their motto is “Every Woman Should Be Couture.”
The dresses from Belle Couture are exclusively available online. She has organized modeling photoshoots in Miami, Florida, to showcase the brand’s designs.
On January 8, 2022, she wore the Transparent Blouse Shirt and Mini-Skirt from her brand, captioning it “Still that gworl.”
The company also showcased its Sleeve Lace Up V-neck Mini Skirt on February 14, 2023, and offered a discount code for last-chance items.
In addition to promoting her own brand, Jamie also features other fashion brands on her Instagram. On June 15, 2021, she shared her party look featuring Tom Ford’s leather shorts and a Louis Vuitton handbag.
Kids
Leonard Fournette has three children. The eldest daughter, Lyric Fournette, was born on January 4, 2015.
She was born prematurely, weighing 3 pounds and 2 ounces. Leonard has expressed that his daughter, Lyric, is his motivation to succeed.
Leonmard’s second child, Leonard Fournette IV, was born in March 2017. Leonard happily announced the news on his Twitter and referred to his son as “L4.”
Jamie frequently shares details of their daily life with Leonard IV on her Instagram stories, including casual day trips.
On May 6, 2022, Leonard attended an event organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with his two children, dressed in formal uniforms.
Leonard also has a third child named Legend. He shared an adorable clip on June 22, 2021, featuring his son bathing in a Christmas-themed giant cup.
