Ex-NFL Player Leigh Bodden's High School Commencement Speech -- STANDING OVATION

Here's your TMZ Sports motivational video of the day ... courtesy of ex-NFL player Leigh Bodden.

The 9-year NFL veteran -- who played for the Browns, Lions and Pats -- was asked to give the commencement speech at Northwestern High School in Maryland (where he graduated in '99) ... and brought the house down.

Bodden delivered his speech in rap form ... talking about how he overcame some huge obstacles to become a starter in the NFL.

There were tears ... there were cheers ... and in the end, there was a standing ovation.