Wycheck speaks at Boyd Christian’s Spring Benefit
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A 10-year NFL veteran, whose career included two seasons with the Washington Redskins and eight with the Oilers/Titans organization, Wycheck’s message to the audience was to always believe in yourself and follow your dreams.
The player-turned-broadcaster explained the team concept was why he loved the game of football so much.
“I started playing when I was five-years old and after I retired I realized I loved playing for a team,” he said. “It was that common goal, with 53 other guys working together to get to the same place, which made me who I am today.
“Everyone would do anything and everything for the guy next to you. It was all the hard work, trust and commitment.”
One of the Titans celebrated for his part in the legendary “Music City Miracle,” Wycheck admitted his career had its highs and its lows.
“I feel I was so blessed because I have been put through the ringer during my career,” he said. “It hasn’t been a bed of roses for me, it’s been a lot of hard work.
“I was fortunate enough to be drafted by the Redskins in 1993, and then released two years later. I thought my football career was over at that point, but that taught me a great lesson in perseverance. But I was lucky enough to be picked up by the Oilers and I took full advantage of it.
“When I talk to people I tell them to make sure they take full advantage of every opportunity, because you get very few in life. You pass or fail, you take advantage of it or you don’t. That’s why I talk about opportunity a lot.”
Preparation and dedication has played a big part in Wycheck’s career, and he explained to the audience the importance of getting youngsters started early to give them every chance to succeed in life.
“You have to be willing to put in a lot of time and hard work in order to be prepared for every opportunity that comes your way,” he said, recalling “I wasn’t a very flashy guy playing football. I wasn’t highly recruited coming out of high school and was drafted in the sixth round in the NFL.
“All the things I have gotten in life I had to work hard for and earn. I wasn’t the most talented guy out there, but for me, in my mind, it was all about having more heart and soul than the guy across from me. That’s what I want each and every kid who plays sports to understand. Talent is great to have but you have to have the heart to succeed don’t waste your talent.”
Opening up the floor for questions following his remarks, Wycheck named Bruce Mathews as the best teammate he ever had, and called Baltimore’s Ray Lewis the toughest player he ever faced off against.
“Bruce played 19 years in the NFL and never missed a game. He played every game with all of his heart and he epitomizes what the NFL is all about,” he said. “Ray Lewis is without a doubt the best player I ever played against. He would bring out the best in every player. You knew he was going to play every play as if it was his last. You knew you were going to be in for a long day’s work when going up against Lewis.”
Wycheck had several big moments in his career, but said the Titans’ Super Bowl game against the Rams was his favorite game, even though his Tennessee team lost.
“I remember being a young boy and going out pretending I was playing in the Super Bowl,” he said. “The next thing I know I’m in the tunnel at Atlanta and at that moment I realized everything had culminated in by life. That’s why we all play the game — to get to the Super Bowl — and it was a magical moment just being a part of that.”
After the banquet, 10 footballs autographed by Wycheck were auctioned off to end this year’s festivities.