Sticking Out Of A Crowd: Standing Out From The Pile And Grabbing Attention

In 1989, Andre Ware was an outstanding quarterback for the University of Houston. That year, Ware went on to set dozens of NCAA records and won the Heisman Trophy. The day that the Heisman voters gathered, Ware completed 36 passes out of 51 attempts for an even 400 yards in a 64-0 victory over Rice. The clutch performance helped sway the vote in his favor.

Months later Ware was expected to be a high pick in the National Football League (NFL) draft. Not many Heisman trophy winners had earned distinction but some felt that Ware could pull it off. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde had pulled off the feat in 1986 and Auburn running back Bo Jackson in 1985.

Another signal caller, Jeff George of the University of Illinois, had other ideas. Two days before the deadline to declare availability for the draft, George caught many by surprise when he decided to skip his final season. Most had figured that George would be a late first or mid second round draft pick. While scouts had had all year to salivate over Ware, George only threw three times in front of National Football League (NFL) scouts going into the draft. But it was his first performance that sealed the matter. Despite having tossed over 100 balls to receivers in late March, it was one specific throw that sent scouts into delirium.

The quarterback asked receiver Mike Bellamy to line up downfield. George then dropped back and hurled a numbing 80-yard bomb and hit Bellamy in stride.

What happened? The Atlanta Falcons had the first pick and stated their intention to draft George. But the Indianapolis Colts felt that George would solve their problems so they sent many players to the Falcons in exchange for George. The Colts subsequently signed George to a 6-year, $15-million contract. The rookie that had not even thrown a ball in the National Football League (NFL) was one of the three highest paid players in the league.

What is the lesson, if any, of this story? Ware may have wowed the scouts all year long. He even went on to immortalize his college career by taking the Heisman, but when push came to shove, Jeff George outshone him. While George experienced highs and lows in the National Football League (NFL), Ware played for the Detroit Lions and had a stint in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in a disappointing professional career.

Your academic career will see many students ranked ahead of you. What matters is how you fare in interviews. If you can toss an 80-yard missile down the field but no one noticed until the interview, here is your chance. Do not blow it.