Who Is Mike Rattler? Story Behind Spencer’s Success

When people hear the name Rattler these days, they usually think of Spencer – the New Orleans Saints quarterback who went from five-star recruit to SEC star to NFL starter.
But behind that story is a man who rarely looks for the camera: his father, Mike (Michael) Rattler. More than a sideline face, Mike has been driver, coach, counselor, and bodyguard for his son’s dream.

Below is a full look at who Mike Rattler is, what he does, and why his role matters so much.

Who Is Mike Rattler?

Mike (full name Michael Rattler) is best known publicly as the father of NFL quarterback Spencer Rattler and Spencer’s younger sister, Olivia.

He’s not a celebrity in the traditional sense. He’s:

A long-time regional sales representative for Citizens Automobile and Recreation Finance, working in the auto and recreation finance industry.
A lifelong sports fan who played football himself and later coached kids’ teams.
A hands-on dad who built his schedule around his children’s practices and games, to the point that he’s widely described as never missing a game or training session.

Today, while Spencer’s career is dissected on TV and social media, Mike stays mostly in the background—visible just enough to defend his son when needed, but otherwise letting the player’s performance do the talking.

Early Life and Work Away from the Spotlight

Very little is public about Mike’s childhood, and that’s by design. Most descriptions simply note that he grew up in the United States with traditional values of hard work, respect, and consistency.

What is clear is how those values show up in his professional life:

Career: Mike has spent much of his working life as a regional sales rep in vehicle and recreation financing. That kind of role usually involves travel, constant client contact, and a lot of pressure to hit targets.
Skill set: Sales work sharpened his communication skills—listening, persuading, reading people quickly. Those same skills translate surprisingly well to being a sports parent: knowing when to push, when to listen, when to protect.

Despite the demands, stories about him consistently emphasize the same thing: he still found the time and energy to show up for his kids, in person, over and over again.

Family Man: Mike, Susan, Spencer and Olivia

Mike is married to Susan Konkel (Susan Konkel Rattler), a long-time teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District with over 30 years of classroom experience.

Together, they have two children:

Spencer Rattler, born in Phoenix, Arizona – highly touted high school quarterback, Oklahoma Sooners starter, South Carolina Gamecocks star, and now quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Olivia Rattler, Spencer’s younger sister, who has been involved in volleyball and other activities, with her dad also showing up to support her games.

Family descriptions paint a tight-knit household:

Mike and Susan are often described as a balanced team – he brings the sports intensity and business mind; she brings stability, education, and warmth.
They focused on giving their kids freedom to chase big goals, but with strong boundaries and values behind the scenes.

Despite Spencer’s fame, Mike has generally avoided chasing attention. Articles repeatedly emphasize his humility and preference to stand behind the scenes rather than in front of the microphone.

Architect of Spencer Rattler’s Football Journey

If you zoom out on Spencer’s career arc—from Pinnacle High School phenom in Phoenix, to five-star recruit, to Oklahoma starter, to South Carolina leader, to NFL rookie—Mike is a constant in the background of every stage.

Key parts of his role:

Early coaching: Mike played football when he was younger and later coached youth teams, which gave him the technical base to help Spencer with more than just “throw harder” clichés. He could actually talk reads, mechanics, and situational play.
Multi-sport encouragement: Before Spencer locked in on football, Mike supported him in other sports like basketball and baseball. That broad base likely helped Spencer’s athleticism and competitive mindset.
Relentless presence: Reports describe Mike as not missing a single game or practice, all the way from youth ball through college. That kind of consistency sends a powerful message: your dream matters enough for me to be here, every time.
Shield from distractions: As the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era exploded and Spencer became a nationally recognized face, Mike often stepped in to help with NIL-related interviews and business conversations, allowing his son to focus on actually playing football.

When things were easy—awards, big wins, highlight reels—Mike was there.
When things were hard—benchings, losses, transfer speculation—he was still there, maybe even more visible, but always with the same message: keep working; we’ll figure it out.

Handling Pressure, Rumors and the Transfer Drama

Mike only really enters the wider media spotlight when there’s something difficult swirling around Spencer.

Oklahoma Benching and Future Uncertainty

In 2021, when Spencer was benched at Oklahoma and Caleb Williams took over, questions exploded about his future. Mike addressed those questions carefully in interviews, saying his son was focused on helping the team in the moment and that they would evaluate NFL options or a transfer after the season.

The tone was calm but clear: no decisions in anger, no public drama, just thoughtful choices when the time is right.

Arizona State Rumors and NIL Accusations

Later, when rumors spread that Arizona State had passed on Spencer because his “camp” allegedly wanted too much NIL money, Mike didn’t stay silent. He directly responded on social media, clarifying that ASU reached out when they thought their starter might leave for the draft, and that the conversation ended once that quarterback decided to stay.

He called out the suggestion that NIL greed killed the opportunity and said there was no need to “manufacture drama.” That response showed two things about him:

He’s willing to protect his son’s reputation when the narrative gets unfair.
He prefers straight facts over speculation, even if it means confronting popular media takes.

Choosing South Carolina and Beyond

When Spencer transferred to South Carolina, reports mention that Mike was heavily involved in the evaluation process—assessing coaching fit, scheme, opportunity, and environment.

Once the move was made, he stepped back again, letting his son own the new chapter—one that eventually led to:

Big wins over top-10 opponents at South Carolina.
A standout Senior Bowl performance and MVP honor.
Being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2024.

Through every swing in momentum, Mike’s role has remained the same: steady, supportive, and fiercely protective when necessary.

What We Can Learn from Mike Rattler

You don’t need a five-star quarterback in your house to take something from the way Mike operates.

A few standout lessons from his story:

Show up—relentlessly.
It’s not the one big speech that shapes a kid; it’s the hundreds of rides to practice, the late-night talks after losses, the presence in the stands when nobody’s watching.
Support without suffocating.
Mike helped coach and guide Spencer, but ultimately allowed him to choose his path—his sport, his transfer, his next move. Guidance, not control.
Protect your people, but pick your moments.
Most of the time, he stays out of the limelight. But when a rumor or unfair storyline threatens his son’s character, he steps in with facts, not theatrics.
Keep your own identity.
Mike is proud of being a dad, but he never stopped working his own job, growing his own skills, and staying grounded in everyday life.
Lead by example, not just advice.
His work ethic, humility, and consistency are the subtext beneath Spencer’s public success story. Kids don’t just listen to what you say; they copy what you are.

Conclusion

In the highlight reels, you see Spencer Rattler: the throws, the stats, the celebrations. What you don’t see—but what has quietly powered that whole journey—is a dad in the background, answering calls, managing schedules, pushing through work trips, tracking flights, double-checking details, and cheering from the stands.

That’s Mike Rattler: not just “Spencer’s father,” but the steady, unshakeable foundation behind one of football’s most talked-about quarterbacks.

Mike Rattler – The Quiet Engine Behind Spencer Rattler’s Football Rise