Former LSU offensive lineman and eight-time Pro Bowler Kevin Mawae spoke to the Tiger football team Wednesday afternoon as part of the team’s off-the-field education program that takes place during preseason camp.
Mawae, a 16-year NFL veteran and a 2007 LSU Hall of Fame Inductee, talked to the team about various topics, including what it means to be a part of the LSU football program.
“There are very few people who get to wear the purple and gold and come out of Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night,” he told the team. “It is a privilege.”
The former Tiger also told the team what it takes to be successful, both as a football player and in life.
“You have to have a passion, and you have to be committed, but you also must have a plan,” he said.
Mawae concluded his talk by encouraging the players to make the most of their time at LSU.
“Make the most of your time here,” he said. “Get your college degree, make lifetime friends and enjoy your time as a football player. Wear the purple and gold with pride, and when you walk away from LSU, walk with your head held high and your chest pumped out and say, ‘I am a Tiger.'”
Mawae said this was the first time he had spoken to the LSU football team, and he emphasized what a privilege it was for him.
“It is special,” he said. “Like I told them, it is family. Once you are an LSU player, you are always an LSU player. Coach Miles has done a great job to make us feel that way. It is more of a privilege for me than it probably is for them.”
Members of the team took to heart what the three-time All-SEC selection had to say.
“He reassured us and told us what the program is all about,” sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard said. “He probably is the best speaker I have ever heard.”
Freshman running back and fellow Leesville native Michael Ford felt a special connection to Mawae. Mawae singled out Ford during his speech saying that he played high school football with his dad during the late 80’s at Leesville High School.
“It was very motivational for me because he’s from my hometown,” said Ford. “So, there is a lot of inspiration looking at him coming from my hometown.”
Dr. Sam Nader, LSU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations, was the program’s recruiting coordinator when Mawae was at LSU. Nader has fond memories of him, from watching his high school film to following him in the NFL.
“You are always proud of all your former players and all the people you get to be associated with when you are part of a team, but guys like Kevin are special because of attitude,” said Nader. “He talked about his passion for the game, and that is very much him.”