Imagine if we celebrated people’s identities the way we celebrate our favorite sports teams - not because they’re perfect, but because they’re ours. We wear the jerseys, learn the stats, defend them when they’re down, and cheer the loudest when they rise. In this TEDxOldHickory talk, Dr. Kevin Dyson explore this question..... What if we extended that same unwavering support to the people around us - not trying to change who they are, but seeing them, knowing them, and loving them fully for it? Kevin Dyson, the 16th pick of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Oilers, now Titans, also played for the Carolina Panthers, is currently the principal at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Dyson is most famously known for the "Music City Miracle"; and "One Yard Short", two of the most famous plays in NFL history. Primarily raised by a single mother, he credits his upbringing for shaping him, as he promised his mother he'd play in the NBA and buy her a house, but she emphasized education. Dr. Dyson holds two master's degrees and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is a published author, hosts a podcast, serves as a radio analyst for the Tennessee Titans, and is a keynote speaker. Dr. Dyson believes true success lies in inspiring growth and navigating challenges, and the foundation for his leadership philosophy is based on the ability to LEAD with GRIT. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 9:27How to escape mediocrity and lead with impact | Jo Rose | TEDxForbesParkMost people settle for mediocrity because they believe it’s safer to settle than to risk more. Jo Rose shows why authenticity and courage are the true antidotes to mediocrity, and how leading with them can transform your life and your impact. Jo Rose is a meditation guide, entrepreneur, and creator of A Zen Mind, a globally recognized podcast. Blending personal development with grounded strategy, Jo has built a thriving business rooted in mindfulness, energy work, and conscious creation. She helps people align with their highest selves through meditation, courses, and custom practices that integrate mindset tools and somatic techniques. Known for her accessible approach, Jo makes deep transformation feel practical, inspiring, and magnetic. Beyond her work, she is passionate about empowering others to step into their authenticity, expand their vision, and create lives of freedom, purpose, and alignment. Her mission is simple: to show that choosing presence, clarity, and inner alignment can unlock limitless potential. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 11:42When Fear Steals Hope | Annette Hines | TEDxForbesParkWhen her daughter Elizabeth was born at 29 weeks with mitochondrial disease, Annette Hines learned firsthand how fear can paralyze us—leading to missed opportunities, poor decisions, and stolen hope in a world of genuine scarcity. Through seventeen precious years of caregiving, Elizabeth became her greatest teacher, showing her the transformative difference between living with a scarcity mindset versus an abundance mindset, even as she faced a world where belonging always required someone's special effort rather than being automatically expected. Now, twelve years after Elizabeth's passing, Annette reveals how we can act despite our fears, build community, and create a world where the next Elizabeth won't spend her life fighting for basic belonging—because hope, not fear, is what makes us stronger together. Attorney, mother, author, advocate, and host of Parenting Impossible - The Special Needs Survival Podcast, knows firsthand just how complex and overwhelming the legal systems and processes are for parents of children with special needs. Amidst the grief of losing her beloved Elizabeth, Annette realized that life was giving her a “second chance” to use her extensive legal expertise to help families who are going through the same challenges she faced. She authored her life story of her and Elizabeth’s powerful journey of hope in her memoir, Butterflies and Second Chances. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
