Kevin Mawae encourages students to surround themselves with ‘positive’ friends
Heart of a Hall of Famer
Published on : 11/13/2025
Courage and protecting your goals from negativity comprised the powerful opening message when Pro Football Hall of Famer KEVIN MAWAE visited Canton recently for an installment of the Heart of a Hall of Famer program connected by Extreme Networks.
“I was called the ‘golden child’ at LSU. Teammates looked down on me because of this,” Mawae shared as he began his talk with the students in attendance. “The reality of it is I can’t have people in my life like that — that don’t want the same that I want for myself … those who didn’t believe in my journey. I didn’t want them around.”
Mawae, a Class of 2019 enshrinee and member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s, encouraged the students to surround themselves with people who support their vision and never to be afraid to step away from those who don’t.
He reflected on what it means to wear the Gold Jacket and walk among the greatest to play the game of football.
“Whether you are a Hall of Famer for the past 30 years or it’s your first year, the first thing you understand is what greatness really looks like, because it exudes in the room,” Mawae said, referencing the annual Ray Nitschke Luncheon open to Hall of Famers only. “When it comes to football and you look around, it’s the gods of football.
“When you walk into the bust room, it’s just different.”
From overcoming doubt to recognizing the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, Mawae reminded students that greatness is built through resilience, support and unwavering belief in oneself.
To hear more from Mawae, Hall of Famer No. 324, watch the full Heart of a Hall of Famer program below or by clicking here.
“I was called the ‘golden child’ at LSU. Teammates looked down on me because of this,” Mawae shared as he began his talk with the students in attendance. “The reality of it is I can’t have people in my life like that — that don’t want the same that I want for myself … those who didn’t believe in my journey. I didn’t want them around.”
Mawae, a Class of 2019 enshrinee and member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s, encouraged the students to surround themselves with people who support their vision and never to be afraid to step away from those who don’t.
He reflected on what it means to wear the Gold Jacket and walk among the greatest to play the game of football.
“Whether you are a Hall of Famer for the past 30 years or it’s your first year, the first thing you understand is what greatness really looks like, because it exudes in the room,” Mawae said, referencing the annual Ray Nitschke Luncheon open to Hall of Famers only. “When it comes to football and you look around, it’s the gods of football.
“When you walk into the bust room, it’s just different.”
From overcoming doubt to recognizing the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, Mawae reminded students that greatness is built through resilience, support and unwavering belief in oneself.
To hear more from Mawae, Hall of Famer No. 324, watch the full Heart of a Hall of Famer program below or by clicking here.
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