Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was his classic self when he delivered his commencement speech to the 100th graduating class of Salisbury University, his alma mater.
And he capped things off with a four-word message to his fellow Sea Gulls.
"Let it f---ing rip!" Quinn said.
Quinn, who received an honorary doctorate from the university along with his wife, Stacy, played four seasons at Salisbury and is a member of the Sea Gulls' Hall of Fame for his careers in football as well as track and field. A two-time captain on the football team, he was one of the team's most respected defensive linemen, recording 145 tackles with two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown. He also set a school record in the hammer throw (168'8") that stood for 20 years.
"Dan and Stacey Quinn are proud alumni of Salisbury University whose remarkable careers and enduring generosity have made a lasting impact on and off campus," said Salisbury President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. "Dan Quinn is among SU's most accomplished student-athletes, having competed in both football and track and field ... [Stacy's] work has shaped a generation of athletes and health professionals. Her service is defined by compassion and advocacy.
"Together, Dan and Stacey have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to giving back."
Quinn's message to Salisbury's graduating class was similar to the one he's delivered to the Commanders' roster. He challenged them to "find your super power" and embrace failure, because that is where the true lessons lie. He reflected on the pain of his failures, highlighting his loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI and saying he wears the pain "like a scar."
"But I also know my growth comes from that scar," Quinn said. "Where I teach from comes from there. And I've got to embrace all of it. The loss of a game or the loss of an opportunity or a relationship or the loss of belief, that is where the gold is. And sometimes that lesson is even better than the opportunity would have been."
Quinn added that the students' "hard work and sacrifice have paid off" and presented them with a choice: allow the nerves of stepping into the world overtake them, or they can turn their nerves into energy and "let it fly."
"Because that is the magic," he said.
