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University of Minnesota Athletics
Pirsig Flips the Switch on Game Day
9/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Carrie Leidner doesn't make dessert on Sunday nights in her Lakeville, Minn., home unless Gopher offensive lineman Jonah Pirsig is headed south with her two sons - Mitch and Matt - for a hearty meal.
"I have a sweet tooth that's for sure," said Pirsig. "Chocolate waffles with ice cream is the best one that she makes. I could eat like a dozen of them."
"He's just another one of the family," said Mitch Leidner, who along with Pirsig are the only fifth-year seniors on offense.
The two had gone on some recruiting visits and participated in some camps together. Their down-to-earth and goofy personalities clicked instantly. They both signed at Minnesota and have been good friends since.
"Jonah's my best friend," said Matt Leidner, who is in his fourth year of being a member of the Minnesota offensive line. "We get along really well, and we just invited Jonah into our family. We live a lot closer to campus than he does. My parents say that Jonah is their fourth son."
While the Leidner family and their desserts helped Pirsig bulk up to 325 pounds, it was his own family who taught him about knowing when to turn it on and off with regard to football. Under new offensive line coach Bart Miller, Pirsig says he has become meaner and nastier on the field, but remains the caring and thoughtful man who his parents raised off of it.
"My dad always told me it's like flipping a switch," said Pirsig. "You can be the nicest guy off the field but as soon as you step on the field, it's got to be a whole different mentality."
Off the field, Pirsig is an elementary education major, who has spent time in classrooms with pre-kindergarten students to those in sixth grade. Both his grandmothers were teachers and he knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps when he was a senior in high school. It was there where he took a community service class and was put in a fourth-grade classroom to help for two hours a day. He was hooked and he knew educating the young minds of tomorrow is what he wanted to do with his life.
But perhaps not right away.
Pirsig is pretty good at this football thing and has a chance to play at the next level. He will pursue those dreams first before walking into a classroom full-time.
"He absolutely has the potential to play at the next level," said Miller, who is in his first year molding the Minnesota offensive line. "He knows what he wants and he knows how to get there. Jonah has all the assets, all the skill sets and all the tools."
Pirsig has grown physically and mentally at Minnesota, but something else has been growing too. His hair. It's long and curly and after games it resembles a matted dreadlock which requires ample work to untangle.
Pirsig - true to his giving character - shaved his head on Oct. 29, 2012, to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research. It was a benefit hosted by former teammate Connor Cosgrove, who was fighting leukemia at the time and Pirsig quickly pledged his support. Since then it has been growing and growing and Pirsig only plans to cut in when his football days are done.
Again, it was a family member who had some impact on Pirsig and his hair.
"My grandpa told me the bible story of Sampson and when he cut all his hair he lost all his strength," said Pirsig. "I am going to need strength for football so I think I'll just let it go. That's the plan."
What's the plan for when he finally cuts it? Matt Leidner, who also sports long locks has the answer.
"Why else do you grow your hair that long unless you are going to donate it?" said Matt. "I think that comes from his hometown. He's from small town Minnesota, Blue Earth, and it's a big farm town. That's what farmers do. They help each other out when they need it."
Pirsig would be just fine if he didn't get a haircut for the next decade. His 6-9 frame and broad shoulders have plenty of room to support more hair.
"That would be a good problem to have," said Pirsig.
Until then, Pirsig is thankful for that 30-minute Sunday drive to Lakeville to dine with the Leidner family.
As it turns out, he is not the only Gopher who likes dessert.
"Mitch and Matt don't admit it, but they like those chocolate waffles as much as I do," said Pirsig.
