Alabama A&M University received a huge gift from a well-known alumnus during its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Friday evening.
AAMU announced the generous gift from AAMU Alumnus and NFL Hall of Famer John Stallworth on Friday via X, formerly known as Twitter. Stallworth, who attended the school between 1970 and 1974, presented a check for $1,214,721 to support AAMU students.
“Life includes lowlights and highlights. You may be discouraged, but never be defeated. I’m thankful for the things that hurt and the things that healed,” Stallworth said during his commencement speech.
Stallworth advised HBCU graduates that low times are equally important as the high times.
“Class of 2024, all the events of your life determine the person you will grow to be, the highlights and the lowlights, we’re shaped by them both,” he said.
“If we’re truly honest with ourselves, whether looking back over the last four years or the last 50, I think we can agree that those lowlight events – those times we prayed would never happen again, those days that we were thankful we just made it through – coupled with the highlights, give us a deeper understanding of ourselves.”
Stallworth is a 1974 AAMU grad who had a phenomenal Pro Football career. The wide receiver had over 8,700 receiving yards and 63 touchdown receptions. In his career, Stallworth won four NFL Super Bowl rings.
He was First-team All-Pro in 1979 and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1984. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.