COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL

Gian Paul Gonzalez’s “All In” message helped motivate the New York Giants to a victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

And on Monday, Gonzalez brought that powerful message to CHS students during a pair of assemblies.

Gonzalez, a ninth-grade history teacher at Union City High School in New Jersey, had been invited to speak to the Giants during the 2011 season, with the team languishing with a 7-7 record.

The Giants were so motivated by his “All In” message, they ended up crediting their championship to his speech. The team even inscribed the saying on the inside of the players’ Super Bowl rings.

On Monday, Gonzalez told the story about his high school basketball team winning a title, and all of his senior teammates getting Division I basketball opportunities except for him. When he shared with his teammates that he was playing at the Division III Montclair State, they chuckled.

But a teacher told Gonzalez that you can give your maximum effort no matter the level at which you play.

“Your atmosphere doesn’t determine your attitude,” he shared with the students about that message.

Gonzalez also told the students about the importance of being there for others with support rather than lectures.

He noted that being “all in” with your effort may not change things overnight, but it puts you on the right path.

He added: “Fame is what we do for ourselves. Greatness is what we do for others. Greatness is self-sacrifice. What can I do to improve the lives of others?”