AUBURN, Ala. – Bruce Pearl was preparing for his second season at Tennessee when he attended a football game at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 9, 2006, a life-changing day for UT defensive back Inky Johnson.
While tackling an Air Force player, Johnson suffered an injury that paralyzed his right arm and hand, a trauma that was both career-ending and career-beginning.
Fifteen years later, on Tuesday night at Auburn Arena, Pearl introduced Johnson to Auburn's men's and women's basketball teams. For the next 45 minutes, the motivational speaker shared lessons he's learned, and challenged the Tigers to treasure and develop their gifts in sports and life.
"What does it mean to you?" asked Johnson, who grew up with 14 family members in a two-bedroom home in Atlanta and became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college.
"There's a big difference between what feels good, and fulfillment," he said. "Once you taste fulfillment, somebody's got to pull you out of the gym. Once you taste fulfillment, you nurture it and you're driven by it. You don't play with your teammates, you play for your teammates.
"The reason most people can't show up and give everything they've got is because they're scared if it doesn't work. 'What if I give everything I have and I don't make it, don't start, or don't average what I want to average?'
"So what. What's more important: what you acquire or who you become? Which one will last longer? Every single day, the quest to be better and the quest to grow, that's something that can stay with you for the rest of your life."
Influenced by his humble upbringing, Johnson had little patience for peers who squandered their talents.
"I couldn't understand how if God blessed you with the ability to do something, the least we can do is give everything we've got," he said. "Never be upset when life doesn't give you something you didn't work for. You've got to do your own development. You're cultivating one mentality."
After learning to write with his left hand, Johnson earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Tennessee. After graduating, he moved back to Atlanta, intending to develop leadership courses at a recreation center.
Having heard his testimony, former Tennessee teammates encouraged Johnson to consider full-time public speaking.
"I'm built for this. I'm battle-tested, because of the mentality and spirit that I cultivated every single day," he said. "My arm and my hand got paralyzed, my work ethic, commitment and mentality did not. I'm thankful the Creator had a different plan for my life outside of playing ball."'Never take it for granted': Former SEC football standout Inky Johnson motivates Auburn's men's and women's basketball teams
Twenty minutes into his talk, Johnson recalled the day his athletic career ended.
"Never take it for granted," he said. "I thought I was eight games away from becoming a first-round draft pick, giving my cousins a bed, and putting my mother and grandmother in a new home.
"If the play were this Saturday, I'd run it the exact same way without an ounce of regret, because I knew I gave my teammates and the people who put me in that position everything I had.
"You never know when it's going to be your last day, and you never know when it's going to be your last play.
"With fulfillment comes a certain sense of obligation and responsibility. I'm obligated to give everything I've got as a man, as a father, as a husband and as a servant.
"Keep that spirit, that drive, dedication and commitment, but add a dose of gratitude to everything you do.
"Why do you do it? What's the spirit you're cultivating every single day? How long can you compete? How do we value it? Do you have a transcending 'why' that transcends situations, circumstances and people?
"My favorite quote is from Dr. King who said you judge the true character and caliber of a person not by where they stand in times of comfort and convenience but where they stand in times of challenge and controversy.
"What about when you don't get what you want? What about when opposition and adversity shows up? Can you still show up and pursue excellence and greatness on a daily basis? Not just in the game of basketball but in everything you do."
Johnson's visit concluded with questions from Auburn's student-athletes about his spiritual journey, his family, and the early days of his speaking career. Ever the motivator, Johnson revisited his theme in his responses.
"What does it mean to you and why do you do it? If it's just about you, you've missed the boat. Don't play with your teammates. Play for them.
"If God blessed you to play the game, the least you can do is give it everything you've got."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
