MISSOULA — Geno Leonard has extra motivation to appreciate each and every opportunity he has to step on a football field.

The senior linebacker for the Montana Grizzlies is a Missoula native, who grew up dreaming every fall to suit up for his hometown school, knowing exactly what he wanted to do.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE: Heart of a Grizzly: Surgeries, setbacks fuel Geno Leonard's spirit in final ride at Montana

"I grew up Saturdays in that stadium, playing football at the tailgates, acting like I was Caleb McSurdy or whoever the linebacker at the time was," Leonard said. "I wanted to be that guy and I wanted to play linebacker here at the university."

But it's been a career of trials and tribulations for Leonard.

After helping lead Sentinel High School to the 2020 Class AA state

See Full Page