A Speech Worth Listening to Again and Again: "Your Journey Will Be Your Own"
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams last night won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
His acceptance speech is probably one of the best acceptance speeches—not just a Heisman acceptance speech—I can remember.
The 20-year-old Williams beat out the three other Heisman finalists—University of Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett; Ohio State University Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud; and Texas Christian University Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan. The three other finalists are playing in the College Football Playoffs.
Despite having an 11-1 record going into their last game, Williams and his Trojans teammates had to win the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 2 to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Although they quickly jumped out to a 14-point lead early in that game, USC ultimately lost the game as well as their bid to continue their season in the playoffs.
That, despite winning the most prestigious college football award, will certainly give him the motivation and drive him to future successes, as past obstacles and losses have done.
“I may be standing up here today,” Williams told the other finalists. “But you all get to go to the College Football Playoffs.”
Williams is no stranger to overcoming the odds and achieving his goals.
In his speech, he recalled the time several years ago when he didn’t play as his team lost a national championship game.
“My coach told me I was too small,” Williams said. “That night, a fire ignited in me.”
Williams said he and his dad stayed up all night putting together a plan that included 5:30 am Breakfast Club Workouts and 6:30 pm lifting, running, and conditioning sessions. He worked with nutritionists, sports psychologists, and coaching experts to learn more about the game to be the best he can be.
But he added that the path to winning the Heisman Trophy wasn’t easy and provided encouragement to everyone who finds themselves in the same position he had been in.
He continued with his acceptance speech:
And this is me speaking to the 11-year-old out there who is watching right now, who is told you’re too small. Like they told me. Go out there, show them how big your heart is.
To the seventh-grader who was passed over on the team like I was. Use that adversity to ignite your passion, like I did.
To the ninth-grader out there who no one believes can make varsity. You can if you believe.
To the tenth-grader losing in the championship game but had belief that we were going to come back, down 20 in the first half. Always believe that there’s one more Hail Mary up your sleeve.
And to the college freshman who was fighting for a chance to contribute and get on the field with your brothers, your time is coming. Keep going.
He concluded his acceptance speech with the following:
And if you lose your bid to get into the college playoffs, know that you’ll get through it like I did. And like I just learned. Back to work. The job isn’t done. The early setbacks that I encountered lit a fire in me. It started my journey. Your journey will be your own. Just keep believing and keep pursuing your goals. If you’re willing to put in the work and surround yourself with positive people, you can achieve anything.
As you’re preparing for the bar exam—whether you’re a first-time or a repeat taker—keep those words in mind:
Your journey will be your own. Just keep believing and keep pursuing your goals. If you’re willing to put in the work and surround yourself with positive people, you can achieve anything.
Again, it’s one of the best acceptance speeches I’ve ever heard. And this young man is only 20. With that attitude, he definitely has a bright and successful future ahead of him.
You can watch his speech here.
