The NFL Combine, Bucky Irving, and the Moments That Matter Most

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The other night, Maggie and I were flipping through old photos when she stopped at a picture of me in a basketball jersey that was two sizes too big. I was dribbling with all the confidence in the world—completely unaware that I was terrible at the sport.

A few pages later, there I was in a baseball uniform, gripping a bat like I actually knew how to use it.

Then came soccer. Then flag football.

One picture after another, each one freezing a moment from my childhood sports career.

Maggie’s eyes widened. "Daddy, were you the best?"

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Not even close. But I always tried to be better than the day before."

Throwback to my early days of sports—where the jerseys were too big, the skills were questionable, but the lessons were always there.

I told her about some of my best moments, the times when things just clicked. But I also shared the ones that didn’t—the baseball season where I got hit with the ball more times than I hit the ball. Or that year when I coached YMCA flag football and made history… by becoming the first winless coach in the league.

Coaching flag football—where the goal was to teach the game, build confidence, and hopefully win a few along the way. This was the season we made it to the championship… but let’s just not talk about that other season. 😂

"The point is, you can't get too high or too low," I said. "You just focus on getting better."

Just then, highlights of the NFL Scouting Combine flashed across the screen.

"Look, Daddy! Football is back," Maggie said excitedly.

I smiled. "Not exactly—this is the Combine. It’s where players try out before the NFL Draft. Kind of like a big job interview."

She squinted slightly, considering it.

"And if they win, they get to be on a team?"

"Kind of," I said. "A lot of these guys will end up on a team, but the real work starts after that. What do you do with your opportunity?"

And that’s when Bucky Irving came to mind—a player who wasn’t expected to shine, but never let expectations define his story.

A moment that mattered—but not the only moment that mattered. Bucky Irving running the 40 at the NFL Combine, where numbers get recorded, but the real work begins after the stopwatch stops.

The NFL Combine: A Moment That Matters—But Not the Only Moment That Matters

The NFL Combine has grown into a must-watch event, where college football’s top prospects put their speed, strength, and agility on full display for NFL scouts and executives.

Some players make headlines before ever stepping onto an NFL field—like Xavier Worthy, who shattered the Combine record with a blazing 4.21-second 40-yard dash, or Byron Jones, whose 12’3” broad jump set a world record and redefined athletic explosiveness.

For others, though, the Combine is a different kind of moment—a defining test that doesn’t go their way. Some great NFL players have had forgettable Combine performances.

Tom Brady’s 40-yard dash is still one of the slowest ever recorded for a quarterback. Cooper Kupp posted one of the worst speed and agility scores for a wide receiver in his draft class.

Proof that one moment doesn’t define a career. Tom Brady at the NFL Combine—no one saw ‘The GOAT’ in this photo, but greatness isn’t measured in a single snapshot.

Yet, both went on to build Hall of Fame-worthy careers.

That’s the thing.

The Combine is important.

It’s a moment that matters.

But it’s not the only moment that matters.

Which brings us back to Bucky Irving.

Bucky Irving: More Than a Combine Score

If you looked at Bucky Irving’s NFL Combine results alone, you wouldn’t have guessed he’d have one of the best rookie seasons in Buccaneers history.

His 40-yard dash time (4.55 seconds) wasn’t considered elite for a running back. His vertical jump (29.5 inches) and broad jump (9’7”) were viewed as below average. His athleticism score ranked 24th among running backs in his draft class.

But here’s what the Combine couldn’t measure:

✅ His vision—the way he sees openings and makes defenders miss.

✅ His work ethic—the way he fights for extra yards every single play.

✅ His determination—the way he turned a fourth-round draft selection into an All-Rookie season.

When Bucky Irving finally got his shot with the Buccaneers, he didn’t just take the field—he took over.

• 1,122 rushing yards on 207 carries (5.4 yards per carry)

• 8 rushing touchdowns

• 392 receiving yards on 47 catches (8.3 yards per catch)

• 76 forced missed tackles—most among all rookies

• Highest Pro Football Focus grade (90.8) of any first-year player

Some of his best games looked like highlight reels:

🏴‍☠️ Week 12 vs. Panthers – 152 rushing yards on 25 carries (6.1 yards per carry), 1 touchdown, and 33 receiving yards in an overtime win.

🏴‍☠️ Week 13 vs. Giants – 88 rushing yards on 12 carries (7.3 yards per carry), 1 touchdown, plus 64 receiving yards on 6 catches, including a 32-yard gain.

🏴‍☠️ Week 15 vs. Chargers – A season-high 117 rushing yards on just 15 carries (7.8 yards per carry), showing explosiveness and efficiency.

🏴‍☠️ Week 17 vs. Panthers – 113 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards, proving he could dominate both as a rusher and a pass-catcher.

From overlooked to unstoppable—Bucky Irving breaking tackles and proving that the real work starts after the Combine. 💪🏴‍☠️ #GoBucs

None of that was predicted at the NFL Combine.

That’s because one moment never defines the whole journey.

Every Opportunity Is Just the Beginning

Maggie started playing Tee Ball this year. I think back to her first practice—where she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep playing. She was tired, frustrated, and questioning if she even liked it.

Fast forward to now?

She runs onto the field with confidence, ready to play.

Not because of any single game or practice, but because she kept showing up, kept improving, and kept believing in herself.

That’s what I hope she remembers—not just about sports, but about life.

Whether it’s a job interview, your first big presentation, your first game, or your first day in a new role, it’s easy to feel like one moment defines everything.

But it doesn’t.

What you do next is what truly matters.

Bucky Irving didn’t let his Combine score define him.

Tom Brady didn’t let his slow 40 time define him.

And none of us should let a single moment—good or bad—define our journey either.

Wherever you are in your life—winning big or still finding your way—remember this:

Every moment matters.

But it’s what you do next that truly defines you.

And if you don’t believe me, just ask Bucky.

🏴‍☠️ Go Bucs.

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About the Author

Curtis Campogni is the founder of Speak4MC, a motivational speaking and training organization dedicated to inspiring growth and change. Curtis is a lifelong Bucs fan, husband, and father. Learn more at Speak4MC.com

Maggie & I

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent any other individual, organization, or company. This content is intended for general knowledge and to highlight tools, techniques, and ideas that inspire positive change. Readers are encouraged to explore the topics further and form their own conclusions. This article was originally published on Speak4MC.com and is shared in collaboration with Bucs Report. The views expressed are solely those of the author.