NFL LB Bobby Wagner has new name: 'I will no longer respond to Bobby'

Standout linebacker Bobby Wagner may not be on an NFL roster at the moment, but he should have plenty of options for his next career move.

Those options expanded with the honorary doctorate he received from his alma mater, Utah State, after serving as the school's commencement speaker last month.

"If you didn’t know, my name is now Dr. Bobby Wagner," Wagner joked during his speech. "And to any family members here, you need to update my name in your phone. It’s 'Dr.' now. I will no longer respond to 'Bobby.' It’s Dr. only."

Wagner, 35, adds the doctorate to an already-lengthy résumé − Super Bowl champion, 10-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year − that will likely land him in Canton.

After four standout years at Utah State, Wagner was a second-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012.

He finished second in the rookie of the year balloting that season and went on to become one of the NFL's best linebackers with the Seahawks. He was named to eight consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-21, being named first team All-Pro six times during that span.

Wagner played one season with the Los Angeles Rams, returned to Seattle for one more season and played the past two years in Washington.

Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner

Wagner is coming off another standout season with the Commanders, leading the team with 162 tackles and also recording 4.5 sacks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL star Bobby Wagner receives honorary doctorate from Utah State