Bobby Wagner has a new title, and he’s making it clear: you’d better use it.
The 2025 NFL Man of the Year returned to Utah State University last week for the school’s commencement ceremony on April 29, where he delivered a heartfelt speech to graduates. But the 13-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion didn’t just share life lessons—he walked away with an honorary doctoral degree, and he’s not letting anyone forget it.
“My name is now Dr. Bobby Wagner,” he joked with his family in attendance, telling them to update their contacts immediately. “It’s ‘Doctor’ now. I will no longer be answering back to Bobby. It will be ‘Doctor’ only.”
For Wagner, a 10-time Pro Bowler who insisted on earning his degree before leaving for the NFL, this moment was about more than just a laugh. During his speech, he opened up about the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from choosing Utah State over other schools, to his draft experience, and the networking that helped launch his career.
One of his most memorable stories? That first visit to campus in 2012, when he saw snow for the very first time. “I had no idea what to do when we went sledding with the team,” he recalled. The snow almost scared him off, but his mother made the decision easy: “She told me I either accepted the scholarship or I wasn’t coming home.”
It turned out to be the right call. From day one, Wagner felt accepted by the students and faculty. “Sometimes the place you least expected to be is the place you’re exactly supposed to be,” he told the graduates.
Now, Wagner carries his Aggie pride everywhere—even getting a little defensive when people confuse Utah State with the University of Utah or BYU. And while his journey to the NFL wasn’t without setbacks (he once battled pneumonia and a failing kidney while preparing for the combine), his resilience has become a defining part of his legacy.
As for that new title? Wagner’s joking request to be called “Doctor” has already been picked up by outlets like USA Today, Heavy, and the Seattle Times. Whether you call him Bobby or Dr. Wagner, one thing is clear: this is a man who knows the value of a good education—and a good laugh.