"𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰!" 𝐍𝐅𝐋 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐩 𝐋𝐇𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — It wasn’t game day, but the energy
inside Linden High School auditorium on January 12, 2026, felt like a championship moment. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐅𝐋 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬 (𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐝 (𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐬) brought fire, focus, and unforgettable motivation to more than 1,400 Linden sophomores, juniors, and seniors during a series of powerful assemblies that blended inspiration with intensity.
Davis, a former linebacker, and Reed, whose time with the Seahawks helped shape his outlook, are now national motivational speakers who travel the country together through the YES You Can Program, a wellness and leadership initiative in partnership with the New Jersey Physicians Advisory Group.
More Than a Pep Talk — A Wake-Up Call
“You’re not born a winner or a loser—you’re born a chooser,” Davis told the crowd. “And it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. That’s what the second half is all about.”
With the charisma of pros and the heart of mentors, Davis and Reed turned the auditorium stage into a launchpad for student vision and self-worth. Their message was simple but bold: Own your choices. Dream big. Don’t settle. Start your second half now.
From engaging students in high-impact demonstrations, like doing push-ups with students on their backs, to sharing their personal stories of struggle, adversity, and growth, the duo commanded attention rings, adding excitement to the deeper message.
“If the first half of your life hasn’t gone the way you hoped, make the second half great,” Davis urged.
Reed closed strong with a rallying cry: “Don’t be average. Don’t be good. Be BEYOND GREAT.”
The Power of the Second Half
One of the most powerful moments came when Davis asked students to raise one finger in the air. “This is your first half,” he explained -- where you come from, your environment, your current situation.” Then he held up two fingers. “This is your second half, the part of your life that starts now. And it’s the part you get to create,” he explained.
He challenged students to think beyond circumstances and negative voices.
“Every day you hear voices telling you you’re not enough. Don’t listen to those ‘boos.’ Listen to the right voices. Make the right choices. Hold on to your dreams.”
Using the same football analogy that defined his own journey, Davis reminded students that a slow start doesn’t define the final score. "The second half is yours to win….so play it strong," he said.
Healthy Choices, Healthy Relationships, Healthy Futures
Reed expanded on the message by addressing real-life issues facing teens today: vaping, drugs, bullying, and toxic relationships. He emphasized the importance of self-respect and community.
“You deserve healthy relationships,” he said. “If you’re in an unhealthy relationship, let them go. Your next will be better than your ex.”
The core messages students walked away with included:
PUSH – Persevere Until Success Happens
Sight sees what is. Vision sees what’s possible.
Don’t settle—you were made for more.
Choose the right voices. They shape your choices.
Student and Staff Reactions: A Resounding Win
Health and physical education teacher Marissa DelloRusso, who helped coordinate the event, said the student response was overwhelmingly positive.
“The kids were engaged from start to finish—and I still hear them talking about the ‘second half.’ The impact was real,” she shared.
The event was sponsored by the New Jersey Physicians Advisory Group, under the leadership of President Peggy Cowan and Director Claudy Antoine, with a mission to equip students with the tools to lead healthy, purpose-driven lives.
Final Whistle: The Game Is On
As students filed out of the auditorium, heads held higher and hands still flashing the “second half” sign, the message was clear: You can’t change
