Plant players pumped up by motivational speaker

Posted Dec 17, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Dec 17, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Jeff Wagner gathered Plant players inside their locker room Wednesday afternoon to talk about his motto – Finish Strong. His message applies to not only the Panthers football mission this week, but also life.

Struck by leukemia when he was 40, the disease eventually led to paralysis. The former triathlete and beach volleyball player now serves as a motivation speaker.

“My kids were focused right in on him and were riveted by what he had to say,” Coach Robert Weiner said. “His message is great.”

Wagner, who plans to be in Orlando for the Panthers game Friday night, spoke with the Plant players for about 30 minutes before they took the field for Wednesday night’s practice. He also passed out his “Finish Strong” wristbands.

“I have followed this team and been to some of the games,” Wagner said. “I talk to a lot of groups about my story and overcoming adversity and cancer and paralysis caused by cancer. I think they took it to heart.”