‘You’re my hero’: ‘Ivey League’ celebrates Mother’s Day with Tracey Ivey-Muhammad
Jared Ivey lost his father, Gary, to a heart attack back in 2009.
Ivey was only in second grade.
His mom, Tracey, was left to raise two boys. But she was far from alone.
“It was rough,” Tracey explained on Thursday in a special, Mother’s Day edition of the Spirit’s ‘Ivey League’ podcast, which is hosted by her Ole-Miss-football-playing son. Jared is entering his third season as a starter for the Ole Miss defense.
“It was rough,” Tracey said.
But Suwanee, Georgia, rallied around the Iveys, and Tracey found a way to make it work for her two boys.
“The community really wrapped their arms around us,” she said. “It was rough, but it was good. People wanted to know if I was going to stay in Georgia or if I was going to move back to Texas. You and your brother said, ‘We want to stay. We want to graduate with our friends.’ So, I made it work (and) everybody helped. We have a good tribe.”
Jared’s now a 6-foot-5, 265-pound senior at Ole Miss on the cusp of the NFL.
He put off the draft in the off-season to return to school and chase a national championship in 2024. The Rebels won a program-record 11 games last season. They’ve been ranked inside the Top 10 in each of the last three.
“It was inspiring to see you step up and just be the strong woman that you are,” he said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am now today without you.”
Ivey is a one-time transfer from Georgia Tech. He finished the 2023 regular season first on Ole Miss in tackles for loss (9.5) and tied for first in sacks (5.5). He has 78 tackles, 14 TFLs, and nine sacks over two seasons as a Rebel.
“Everybody’s been so nice,” Tracey said. “(Oxford) feels like Suwanee because everywhere’s like 10 minutes to get to. It’s nice. I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, Mississippi and everything, but everybody’s been lovely.”
“One of the biggest things I’ve loved about being here is the support from the community, and the fanbase is unbelievable,” Jared added. “They truly do love us, like we love them.”
The ‘Ivey League’ is powered by Riverland Roofing.
Call them today for all your roofing needs at (662) 644-4297. Visit them online at RiverlandRoofing.com. New ‘Ivey League’ episodes release weekly.
“You’re such a natural at (podcasting), when I didn’t even think you liked people like that,” Tracey said. “(The podcast’s) something for the fans to actually get to know the players. Y’all are more than just football players. Y’all are whole beings and have parents and have families and do other stuff outside of playing football. That’s not all you do. I’m glad you’re getting to let your teammates show that. It makes me happy.”
“We’re more than just ballplayers, and you’re more than just my mom. You’re my hero, my best friend, and I love you to death,” Jared said.
IVEY LEAGUE EPISODES
Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul’s journey to Ole Miss and, now, the Ivey League
JJ Pegues enters the ‘Ivey League’: Coming home, making right and giving back
TJ Dudley reports to the Ivey League with a love of Beethoven and big Ole Miss dreams
Go, Diego (Pounds), Go! From UNC to Ole Miss and on to the Ivey League
Star Rebel defender Jared Ivey has ‘no bounds’ for his Spirit-exclusive ‘Ivey League’ podcast
‘Doo’ Does the Ivey League: Ole Miss football riding Bentley as lead back in 2024
A ‘Princely’ (Umanmielen) welcome to the ‘Ivey League’ for Ole Miss football’s newest sack artist
Banks’ Open in the ‘Ivey League’: Coming home, gaming and stepping up at Ole Miss
Ivey League: Keith Carter details how he held off Arkansas again for another Ole Miss head coach
Lane Train rolls into the Ivey League with stories of a one-of-a-kind coaching career
The post ‘You’re my hero’: ‘Ivey League’ celebrates Mother’s Day with Tracey Ivey-Muhammad appeared first on On3.
