Former collegiate football star Joel Penton speaks to students About Success

Former Ohio State University football player and Wuerffel Trophy winner Joel Penton spoke to students at Washington High School Dec. 10 about what's essential in a life of success.

Penton turned down a chance to play in the NFL to being a career in speaking full-time, according to his online bio. His messages center around the idea that making right decisions and keeping to them despite challenges.

'The general theme is about commitment,” Penton said. 'It's about the importance of not just making commitments but keeping commitments.”

Penton was at the high school roughly four years ago speaking on topics of doing what's right even when things get difficult, on theme with his book, 'Stand Your Ground.”

This year was a similar idea.

The lights dimmed and voices hushed as Penton started his message running through key moments in his life when his fortitude was tested. Penton drew a line connecting his commitment at 9 to be the best football player he can be that led all the way to who he is today.

His journey wasn't without some difficulties. Along the way, he shared how his commitment to not drink lost him his friends junior year in high school, but paid off in the end when recruiters from Ohio State University came to offer him a full scholarship, which in turn led to winning a national championship.

Throughout his message, Penton took time to try to connect with students by sharing personal details and brining students on stage for exercises in good choices.

'He has an ability to deliver a message to the students,” Washington High School Principal Erik Buchholz. 'Our students really enjoyed it.”

Penton sees his life choices all as tools that eventually led him to what he loves doing most.

'My life was so impacted by others and in what others taught me,” Penton said. 'And I knew I benefited so well from those things, so it's always been a passion of mine to teach others and athletics gave me the platform to do that on stage to large numbers.”

Principal Buchholz also sees the importance of his messages to the students.

'The hope is to have the students be more positive people,” Buchholz said. 'Regardless of what, they can face it. They have help.”