Reese’s Challenge: Make a Difference
Giants GM Jerry Reese delivered the commencement address at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Saturday. Reese received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school. He also played and coached there.
The university has released some of Reese’s comments:
Drawing on a book he is currently reading, “The Divine Mentor” by Wayne Cordeiro, Reese said that 95 percent of people with some measure of training can already do what today’s graduates have decided to do with their lives.
He added jokingly, “If you are the general manager of a NFL football team, 99.9 percent of people can do what you do. I get emails, letters, phone calls from people telling me how they can do my job better than me.”
“It’s the 5 percent that you do, that you bring to the table – that unique 5 percent – that’s what we’re asking from you. That’s your contribution.
“I believe there is someone sitting here today with the last 5 percent that can find a cure for cancer,” he said. Likewise, he added, there are those among today’s graduates, who have trained at UT Martin with some of the finest faculty, who can find a cure for other illnesses and injuries, become master teachers, amazing farmers, preachers and president of the United States. He added, “I believe there are people sitting here today with the last 5 percent could be a general manager of an NFL football team. It can happen. I sat right where you are sitting right now years and years ago. I am the living proof.”
“The last 5 percent. That’s where you can make the difference.” Reese asked the graduates to turn to their fellow classmates on each side and make a pact. “Say ‘give me 5.’ That means I’m going to hold you responsible to make a difference, not blend in and make this world a better place.”
And, just as he might tell a football player on Sunday, he concluded, “Go out there and get them with your last 5 percent.”
