The Real Deal: School vs. Post-Graduation Life

Whether you were class valedictorian or not, once the ceremony is over no one will care who was chosen, so move on. After all, not all Heisman Trophy winners become the number one draft pick in the National Football League (NFL). In fact, between 1936 and 2002, only 16 have pulled off this feat.

You may be valedictorian but it will not translate into instant success after graduation. Moreover, not all top picks go on to become Rookie of the Year. And not all league MVPs make waves in their early years.

Not everyone requires lots of time to stand out however. Others will be more prone to see an opportunity and go for it. Brett Favre was the third quarterback drafted in 1991, by the Atlanta Falcons (after Mark Mcgwire's brother Dan and USC Todd Marinovich).

Ultimately traded to the Green Bay Packers, Favre was fortunate to get into a game after then starter Dan Majkowski went down to injury. Favre never looked back. He went on to the Pro Bowl that year, won three MVP awards and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl triumph. He could have remained a back up, but when he saw an opportunity, he seized it.