Two-time Super Bowl champion John Mobley honored in return to Kutztown University

Sep. 25—Two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos and former Kutztown University standout John Mobley was recognized at his alma mater on Saturday.

Mobley, an NFL All-Pro linebacker and the 1995 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year with the Golden Bears, was inducted into the Kutztown University Athletics Hall of Fame, was awarded the Kutztown University President's Medal and was given his college degree at a private ceremony at Kutztown University President Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson's residence following the Golden Bears' 42-35 loss to Shepherd.

"I have nothing but gratitude for everyone and everything that has happened today," Mobley said during the opening of his acceptance speech. "And something that I tell my kids all the time (while) coaching, I tell them: 'Appreciate the journey.'

"Everybody is so anxious to get to the destination, and I think if you're fast forwarding through everything you kind of miss the moments that really matter. And right now I want to talk to the people who really count to me, the ones that have helped me get here."

Mobley thanked his family and former Golden Bears coaches for their endless support of his football dreams, as well as the Kutztown administration for giving him an opportunity when few other schools would. He even went as far as to thank the cafeteria workers, because according to Mobley: "Without the small people, you can never do the big things."

"To my family, I couldn't have done any of this without you guys," Mobley said. "My mom, she has been the rock for all of us. She would walk ten blocks to work. She never once complained. And I'm sure that a lot of my strength comes from her, and my dad as well. And my siblings, I really appreciate everything you guys have done to get me here.

"A lot of times, we don't get to thank the ones that have done the most; they get overlooked. And I just want to take this time now to honor you guys and say thank you... the (Kutztown University) administration, the staff — they did whatever they could for me. To the ladies that snuck me into the cafeteria when I didn't have a meal plan. I think it's important for everybody to take time to acknowledge those people in your lives that don't normally get the recognition, but without them you probably wouldn't be where you are today."

Prior to the ceremony, Mobley was excited and humbled by the event, as he said being inducted into the hall of fame and being awarded the president's medal ranks is of the top moments of his career. An award given by the president's office, the medal is granted to individuals who bring honor to the institution and serve as role models for its students.

"It's definitely an honor," Mobley said. "It's been a long time coming. It's beyond emotion at this point, trying to express it. I know the president's medal is something that is rarely given out, (and) to be able to receive that prestigious award, it definitely means a lot to me.

"But the (Kutztown University) Hall of Fame induction, I mean, a lot of guys take it for granted. But I think this is one of the biggest things that has happened in my football career, so I'm very honored"

Selflessness is one of the core values that Mobley said propelled him to success throughout his football career.

After being drafted by the Broncos with the 15th pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, Mobley started every game for Denver during his rookie season.

In his second NFL season, Mobley was instrumental in the Broncos' 31-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.

Mobley deflected a pass from Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre on 4th-and-6 with 30 seconds left to seal the victory for the Broncos, their first Super Bowl title.

"At that time, it was definitely my biggest (moment)," Mobley said regarding the 4th-and-6 play. "It was a play that we had practiced ad nauseum during the week, because we knew that was their go-to play on that down and distance. So when the time came, I was up for the test.

"I think the biggest thing for me at that point was I didn't even understand the magnitude of the situation at that time. Had I known what I was doing, the outcome might have been different, but I was just dumb enough to do something great."

Denver went on to win Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999 with a 34-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Mobley said he believed those two Broncos teams were among his favorites because of the selflessness his teammates showed.

"I think those players were probably the most unselfish players I've ever known," Mobley said. "Everybody put the team first and kind of disregarded the self accomplishments and accolades, and it was a, 'do it for the guy next to you' (mentality). I think that is what helped us to win those Super Bowls."

Now a defensive coordinator at Lyman High School in Longwood, Fla., Mobley preaches the importance of education and having a strong work ethic to his family and players. He said his longing for the camaraderie of being on a football team led him to coaching and inspiring others to fulfill their dreams through athletics and education.

"To be honest with you, I missed the camaraderie (of the NFL)," Mobley said. "And I think that's what kind of motivated me to get into coaching, to be around kids and be able to impart some of that knowledge and passion on the youth of today. And hopefully maybe allow one of those guys to take the same path that I did."

President Hawkinson explained during the ceremony that he discovered Mobley had earned enough credits for an associate degree from Kutztown University's sister institution, Clarion University, and had been working for a few years to confer the degree to Mobley before Saturday's ceremony gave him the opportunity.

"Having kids now that are in college, you try to tell them, it's all about going in and getting the degree," Mobley said. "I felt like I was being a bit hypocritical. So that motivated me to do what I had to do to make sure I got mine, so they could see it as well."

Compiling 387 total tackles, 19 sacks and eight interceptions in his 40 games at Kutztown, Mobley gave relentless effort for the school that he said gave him an opportunity to succeed. The Kutztown University Athlete and Senior Athlete of the Year for 1995-96, Mobley advises current Golden Bears to work hard on the field and stay motivated.

"I felt like they were giving me an opportunity that nobody else gave me," Mobley said. "So I kind of felt indebted to Kutztown University. Every time I touched that field, I kind of gave them everything.

"The grind never stops. It's all about how hard you work and how hard you want to achieve the goals that you set out for yourself. I think that is what definitely motivated me. And I had my dad who I always promised that I was gonna do something big through football, so that was kind of my inspiration throughout as well."