"๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฐ!" ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ โ It wasnโt game day, but the energy
inside Linden High School auditorium on January 12, 2026, felt like a championship moment. ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ (๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ) ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฐ๐ค๐ฌ) 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 โ A Wake-Up Call
โYouโre not born a winner or a loserโyouโre born a chooser,โ Davis told the crowd. โAnd itโs not how you start; itโs how you finish. Thatโs what the second half is all about.โ
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. Donโt 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.
โIf the first half of your life hasnโt gone the way you hoped, make the second half great,โ Davis urged.
Reed closed strong with a rallying cry: โDonโt be average. Donโt be good. Be BEYOND GREAT.โ
The Power of the Second Half
One of the most powerful moments came when Davis asked students to raise one finger in the air. โThis is your first half,โ he explained -- where you come from, your environment, your current situation.โ Then he held up two fingers. โThis is your second half, the part of your life that starts now. And itโs the part you get to create,โ he explained.
He challenged students to think beyond circumstances and negative voices.
โEvery day you hear voices telling you youโre not enough. Donโt listen to those โboos.โ Listen to the right voices. Make the right choices. Hold on to your dreams.โ
Using the same football analogy that defined his own journey, Davis reminded students that a slow start doesnโt define the final score. "The second half is yours to winโฆ.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.
โYou deserve healthy relationships,โ he said. โIf youโre in an unhealthy relationship, let them go. Your next will be better than your ex.โ
The core messages students walked away with included:
PUSH โ Persevere Until Success Happens
Sight sees what is. Vision sees whatโs possible.
Donโt settleโyou 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.
โThe kids were engaged from start to finishโand I still hear them talking about the โsecond half.โ The impact was real,โ 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 โsecond halfโ sign, the message was clear: You canโt change
