Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to his alma mater with a message that transcended typical graduation platitudes. The Super Bowl champion delivered a powerful message to Ole Miss graduates on May 10, 2025, emphasizing that success demands consistent daily effort.
Brown’s speech at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion captivated over 5,500 graduates with its unflinching honesty about post-college realities. Drawing from lessons learned through his meteoric rise from Ole Miss record-setter to NFL star, Brown presented success as something earned through relentless daily commitment.
A.J. Brown Delivers Motivational Commencement Speech At Ole Miss, Stressing Discipline and Daily Dedication
“You are your own operation. Your discipline is your product. Your name is your brand. Your habits are your investments. Nobody’s going to build it for you, and nobody’s coming to rescue you when it gets hard.” Brown built on this with a phrase: “Success isn’t owned, it’s rented—and rent is due every single day.”
“Success is not owned. It’s rented, and rent is due every single day.”
A.J. Brown delivers the commencement speech for 2025 Ole Miss graduates 👏
(via @OleMiss)
pic.twitter.com/OTwxN0jda2— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 10, 2025
Brown’s speech quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with clips of his “rent is due” message accumulating millions of views. Yahoo Sports shared a 22-second clip on X, the video amassed over 12,000 views within hours.
The NFL star didn’t sugarcoat the challenges awaiting graduates in the professional world. Instead, he framed their diplomas as playbooks for life, challenging them to become “play-callers” in their own careers. “You’re stepping into a new season. You’re holding the ball. Ole Miss gave you the playbook. Now it’s your job to call the plays and lead the drive.”
Brown opened up about experiencing unique pressure as the commencement speaker, joking about needing to impress “your grandma, your professors, and your group chat all at once.” This vulnerability set the stage for his most impactful insights about personal responsibility.
The three-time Pro Bowler told graduates to forge their own paths rather than comparing themselves to others. Dressed in full academic regalia with the iconic blue Ole Miss doctoral hood, Brown cut an imposing figure at the podium as he emphasized self-awareness as a fundamental aspect of leadership.
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Brown shared being traded from the Titans to the Eagles as a lesson in resilience. As Ole Miss’s all-time receiving leader with 2,984 career yards, and through his foundation work, he’s established himself beyond athletics.
His final message urged graduates to “dream bigger than what feels comfortable” and recognize that true achievement happens in solitude when nobody’s watching.
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