Utah State welcomed standout linebacker Bobby Wagner back to campus last week, and his speech to graduates at USU’s commencement ceremony on April 29 was well received.
Wagner, who wanted to make sure he got his degree before he left school for the NFL, took another educational achievement to heart that day.
The Super Bowl champion and 13-year NFL veteran, who will have his jersey retired at Maverik Stadium in the future, also received an honorary doctoral degree, to which he declared, “My name is now Dr. Bobby Wagner,” joking with family that was present to change his name in their phones. “It’s ‘Doctor’ now. I will no longer be answering back to Bobby. It will be ‘Doctor’ only.”
The 10-time Pro Bowler detailed some of the pivotal moments in his life that put him on his track — from choosing to attend school in Logan to his draft experience as well as his networking experiences.
Several news outlets like USA Today, Heavy, Seattle Times as well as social media accounts have picked up on the current free agent’s joking request to be called “Doctor.”
Wagner recalled initial reluctance to the Logan snow
When Wagner visited campus for the first time in 2012, he had never seen snow before, he said, recalling not knowing what to do when sledding down a hill with the team.
The snow was almost a deal-breaker for the then little-known prospect when he was contemplating the scholarship offered to him on the spot.
“I can’t do this, I can’t do the snow,” he said.
But his mother, who cared more about his education than anything else, told him that he either accepted the scholarship or he was not going home, the Super Bowl champion recalled.
From there, the rest is history.
Since he first stepped on campus, he felt accepted as one with the students and faculty. Wagner knew he made the right decision.
“Sometimes the place that you least expected to be is the place that you’re exactly supposed to be.”
Aggie pride is something he carries with him everywhere, getting offended when his alma mater is confused with other in-state schools, the University of Utah or Brigham Young University.
Draft experience
Later, when preparing to try out for the NFL combine to show the league’s teams his athletic ability, Wagner came down with pneumonia and found out his kidney was failing. Unable to work out for the teams, he worried about his draft odds.
Meeting with every team, he once again ended up in another place he did not think he would be.
Recalling Seattle as his least favorite visit, he told himself, “I hope I get drafted by somebody else and I’m going to whoop you every chance I get.”
He ended up drafted by the Seahawks.
Wagne later learned the meeting was a test to see if he could handle pressure, and of the players the team met with, he was the only one who talked trash back to them, something he liked.
Wagner ended up playing a major role for the Seahawks as they won the Super Bowl in 2014.
Advice for the grads
Wagner challenged those listening to reach out and network with each other, calling the Aggie alumni something not to take for granted.
“Everything I was able to accomplish business-wise was because of (Charlie Denson),” the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year said.
While playing in Seattle, Wagner took an opportunity to drive the three hours to Portland to meet up with the fellow Utah State alum, who was the president of Nike.
The connection with Denson allowed even more connections to follow, opening doors along the way.
“You never know what person can open that door,” the six-time All-Pro said. “Most people don’t even know that they can be helped because they don’t take the chance — so take the chance.”
The last piece of advice he gave to the audience was to get good grades and learn the things that need to be learned, but it does not end there.
“It’s not always just about the knowledge, it’s about how you use the knowledge,” he said. “When you go into the real world, you’re going to have real challenges. None of (the challenges) mean anything if you keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
He reminded everyone that they have a family to lean on, whether their own family or their Aggie family.
Reaction
Wagner’s speech drew lots of positive reaction from the community as he captured the heart of the Logan community.
The speech “felt authentic with the personal life advice he was giving us,” said JT Miller, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/communication. “I loved how he was funny, which made it engaging, but also his words on perseverance and pushing through the hard times really hit at that moment. I kept thinking about my time in college and the times I had to push through, and sitting there at graduation made me realize I also persevered and made it through the tough times.”
The honorary doctor also made the rounds on social media as he leaned into his new title.
Former Utah State offensive tackle Donald Penn commented, “Great job Dr. Wagner, I’m proud to be a Utah State alumni.”
“I get emotional watching him walk the quad — I see in his expression a sense of pride mixed with nostalgia remembering who he was!” USU alum Mari Abarca commented.
A comment from account user 0528dida highlighted how she felt he really believed in the community he represents.
“Really enjoyed his speech. He was SO funny and it felt like he truly believed in what the Aggie community is. Great job!”