In this episode of Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2021, sportscaster and television personality, Erin Andrews, highlights her favorite guiding quotations from some of the legends of the football record books, as well as her own best advice, for the graduating class of 2021.
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Episode Transcript
To the class of and the family, friends, teachers, and
neighbors who helped them along the way. Congratulations, you did it.
Graduation might look a little different this year, and it
will almost certainly feel different, but whether you're celebrating with
a small crew in person or gearing up for another
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virtual event, this is your moment, which is why we're
bringing you the commencement you deserve, full of wisdom to
help you step into the real world and enter a
brand new normal. Ready to get inspired, put your hands
together for Aaron Andrews. Hello, class of you made it.
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The time has arrived and can gratulations to you all.
I'm sure at this point you've heard it over and
over again, but it can't be emphasized enough to be
able to continue and follow through with your education after
everything you face this past year says so much about
who you are, and it says so much about your mindset,
your determination, and your ability to adjust to unpredictable scenarios.
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Forget your final exams. That was truly one of the
toughest tests you will ever face, So give yourself some credit,
be proud, really take the time to acknowledge what you
were able to overcome and how you found success. I
promise you these tools will help guide you on your
upcoming journey. Now. I've sat and thought a lot about
what I could share with you about my mindset when
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I left school, and I'll be honest, I didn't know
where my first job was going to be. I didn't
have any idea when or where my future would begin.
All I knew is my parents were taken me home
from the University of Florida. I was going to live
with mom and dad, and we were going to see
where this thing all worked out. The one thing, though,
I was very very sure of, is that I wanted
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to be a sports broadcaster, good or bad. There wasn't
a second option for me. That was it, and I
was going to put all my energy into this dream
and I still do. Much like all of you, I
am competitive as hell, right. We all have this fighter mentality.
How could you, guys not after everything you've been through
this year. We look at every day as a new
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hurdle or task we need to conquer. While this attitude
is very much ingrained in me, I've had some help
along the way. I also love looking at quotes from
people I admire in the sports world. The great Vince Lombardi.
He has some of the best out there, like this one.
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.
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That's easy, it's simple, and it's to the point. And
if you know anything about Vince Lombardi, you can just
hear and see him saying that I wish I had
as good of an accent is he did. I would
do it over for you, guys. For me, I've never
worked this hard for something in my life. Yes, I've
had some success in my career, but in order to
continue it or be where I want to be, I
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keep grinding. I keep grinding like it's my first day
at ESPN. It's the only way I know how to operate.
And it's become an obsession, but a healthy one, another
one from Lombardi. Once you learn to quit, it becomes
a habit. How clear is that, of course, there'll be
times in your career or your life you may just
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want to give up, take the easy way out, not
push yourself as hard. Don't even entertain that thought. Don't
allow that to become routine or a reality. Now, even
though I'm a proud Florida Gator graduate, I am not
afraid at all to look at the seven time National
Championship winning head coach Nick Saban for insight. How could
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you not. I've had the honor of covering coach Saban
in my career and it was nothing short of inspirational.
The man knows all about excellence and demands it from
those around him. I'm not kidding you walk out of
his athletic facility standing a little taller and expecting more
out of yourself. Here's one of his quotes, focus on
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the process of what it takes to be successful. I'll
say it again, focus on the process of what it
takes to be successful. I love this quote. I love
it so much because I hear it all the time
from winners like Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and, like I
just said, Coach Saban. They all talk about this process,
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their process, their organization's process, the team's process, honing in
on what they need to correct and perfect for the
best results. That's all that matters for you and your
journey to Advice and keys to the game can work
for others. But focus on whatever your course to achievement is.
That leads me into another Coach Saban saying, I try
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to live by do what you do and be who
you are. Now I know coach Saban and I can
see him saying this, and I love it. When I
first started in this industry, I was so caught up
in trying to sound like everyone else, making sure I
fit in, wanting to look the same, and wanting to
go with the flow, not be a disruptor. But then
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I began to realize I am different. I do add
a unique spin and twist to sports broadcasting. That's what
makes me who I am. That's why I stick out,
and that's where you can find your personal success. My
final quote I will leave you with goes back to
Coach Lombardi. It's one I take to heart every day
and it goes hand in hand in being your own person.
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He said, confidence is contagious. So with lack of confidence,
believe in yourself, believe in what you stand for, and
believe your hard work will guide you through this incredible journey.
Congratulations to the class of m M. You can find
(06:05):
the collection of incredible commencement addresses from all your favorite
speakers at the Commencement Podcast on I Heart Radio or
wherever you listen to podcasts. M
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