'Never Failed': A tale of Russell Wilson's two grad speeches
Posted May 19, 2021 8:08 a.m. EDT
Updated May 19, 2021 9:06 a.m. EDT
Had Russell Wilson’s Wisconsin graduation commencement speech in 2016 been as good as his NC State graduation commencement speech in 2021, this limited series podcast might’ve never been produced. In the final episode of “Never Failed”, Joe Giglio and Joe Ovies highlight the unnecessary embellishment Wilson gave to his already great sports super hero origin story.
It was story that was told many times before he stood in front of a crowd of Wisconsin graduates. Wilson is the winner of the story. He is the one who went on to become the star NFL quarterback, marry the star musician, win the Super Bowl, and put himself on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So why take liberty with the facts? Contrast Wilson's first speech to the one given to Wolfpack graduates, which had a great message of faith and vision. Most importantly, he thanked the people who helped him.
In closing "Never Failed," Giglio and Ovies ask prominent national media members with local connections why the layers to his departure from NC State tend to be glossed over. Elliott Avent, Mike Glennon, and others who provided insight throughout the podcast are also given the Wolfpack Rorschach test - did NC State did Wilson wrong?
