By Kristen Maloney
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Justin Tucker, kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, along with several business professionals, visited Towson University Monday night to urge students to be persistent if they want to be successful.
“I knew I was meant to play for the NFL, but I also knew that it wouldn’t be easy,” Tucker said. “I would have to kick the door off the hinges and prove I really wanted to and deserved be there.”
Tucker began the event, Kick Start Your Career: A Night with Justin Tucker, by sharing his experiences with how he began his career in the NFL and the obstacles he had to overcome.
“I enjoy sharing my story and recent real-world experience with you college students,” Tucker said. “I was in your shoes a short time ago and I want to pay it forward.”
He said determination is a main ingredient in achieving success in any profession.
“I encourage you to take full advantage of each opportunity you have to get an edge on the competition,” Tucker said. “Whether it be big or small, work hard and efficiently, don’t be afraid to succeed or fail and be the best possible version of you you can be.”
With a diverse group of young adults headed into various professions as his audience, Tucker compared his way of thinking in his career to a career in business.
“My coach always says, ‘You’re only as good as your last time out,’ and that applies to business as well,” Tucker said. “You have to always be focused on what’s important at the time and what is going to take you furthest in your career.”
The anticipated event included guidance from seven representatives from companies such as University Recruiter and Window Nation in addition to Tucker.
The speakers relived their accomplishments and the sacrifices they made to get where they are today.
“If you’re not willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, you should just leave now,” said Keith Moore, president and CEO of Moore Motivation, a motivational speaking organization. “A successful person is willing to do that which an unsuccessful person is not. Perseverance is everything.”
Markita Folkes, at junior at TU, said she admired Tucker both on and off the field.
“He is such a great role model,” Folkes said. “Not only is he a great football player, but he gives back to his community while trying to help us with our lives. He has inspired me more than I ever thought he would.”