Spencer Rattler’s parents: His upbringing detailed

During South Carolina’s dominant victory over Tennessee, Spencer Rattler demonstrated that despite suffering from inconsistency, he retains his prodigious talent. Rattler’s South Carolina scored 63 points, the most by an unranked team against a Top 5 opponent in almost a century. Spencer threw for 438 yards and six touchdowns.

“Man that one felt good,” Spencer tweeted. “Wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else. Love this team. HISTORIC.” Rattler will look to build on that performance and remind people why he was the number one quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class. 

His parents, Susan and Mike Rattler, will support him however they can. 

Spencer Rattler was born on 28th September 2000 to Susan and Mike Rattler in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up alongside his younger sister, Olivia. 

Mike played football growing up, so he encouraged his kids to participate in sports. On top of his job as a regional sales representative for Citizens Automobile and Recreation Finance, Mike coached football in development leagues. 

After trying different sports, Spencer chose football, and Olivia picked volleyball. The siblings practiced together in their backyard. “Spencer and I would trade-off: I would catch the football with him, or he would try and pass with me,” Olivia told The Oklahoman. Olivia plays volleyball for Missouri State University.   

Spencer occasionally posts about his parents on social media. In June 2019, he posted pictures of his father and family, wishing Mike a joyous Father’s Day:

“Happy Father’s Day to my pops! Taught me everything about the game and still is. Made me into the man I am today! I don’t know where I’d be without him!”

In June 2021, the Supreme Court ruled in NCAA v. Alston that the NCAA wasn’t allowed to limit education-related payments to students, opening the door for college athletes to profit off themselves. 

Athletes can now sell their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights without losing their eligibility. NCAA rules previously banned athletes from earning in college. Players can earn money by appearing in ad campaigns, selling merchandise, making paid appearances, and starting businesses, among others. 

Famous players like Spencer Rattler can earn plenty from NIL deals. Unfortunately, NIL negotiations can distract players from the game, affecting their performances and hampering their development. 

Mike protected Spencer from such a predicament by handling his NIL negotiations. Rattler told OU Insider:

“Yeah, it was my dad that mainly did the interview process and kind of that so I’d be focused on football. So, I’m grateful to have both of my parents, but mainly my dad doing all that type of stuff. And yeah, he did a good job. It was strategic.”

Spencer said Mike consulted him before committing to agreements. “I mean just companies reaching out to my dad and he’ll bring it to me, get with the idea,” Spencer said. “And if we like it, we’ll roll with it.”

Mike Rattler denied that Rattler rebuffed Arizona State because the institution didn’t offer enough money. 

Spencer Rattler grew up nine miles away from the Arizona State University campus. ASU recruited Rattler, but he didn’t show much interest in the program, preferring to join Oklahoma. Spencer had an underwhelming stint at Oklahoma, and when it became clear that he would leave, ASU became a potential destination. 

However, Spencer rebuffed ASU again, transferring to South Carolina. Matt Barrie, a ESPN college football host and ASU alum, claimed that Rattler’s greed hampered his enrollment in ASU. Barrie tweeted:

“Rattler and his camp were asking for too much. ASU passed. Find me where I gave misinformation. I believe I said: Spencer Rattler will not attend ASU? Was I wrong?”

Mike didn’t take kindly to Barrie’s allegation, accusing Barrie of lying about the situation. Rattler tweeted that Spencer changed his mind about joining ASU when the program’s starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, elected against going pro. Barrie replied:

“I’m not manufacturing drama. It’s an NIL era in CFB everywhere and no one faults anyone for asking for it. I know there was interest. You ended up in a great situation in Columbia. It’s [a] win for you, Spencer, and the Gamecocks.”

Rattler insisted that Spencer ASU offered nothing, and Rattler’s team didn’t ask for anything. Shane Beamer, the head coach at the University of South Carolina, commented about Mike and Barrie’s Twitter exchange:

“I don’t know what he [Mike] is doing on social media, but I don’t think it’s much of anything. I think his dad is a hell of a person. I love his dad. It’s a great family. Spencer’s very, very, very, very, very, very grounded and a great young man. Looking forward to you guys getting to know him.”