PROVIDENCE — The New England Institute of Technology on Sunday once again kicked off the college-graduation season in Rhode Island, holding its 68th commencement ceremony at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Former Boston College and New England Patriots football star Doug Flutie gave the commencement address, delivered in a style made casual by years in front of microphones, TV cameras and blitzing linebackers.

A native of Natick, Mass., Flutie came to national prominence at BC as the quarterback whose last-second, touchdown pass — immortalized as the “Hail Mary” toss — gave BC a victory over the University of Miami. He went on to win the Heisman Trophy and play professional football for 21 years in the United States and Canada.

He recently finished a stint as a college football game analyst for ABC and ESPN.

Speaking off the cuff with only a brief outline written on a note card, Flutie used his experiences in and around football to illustrate his main themes: that passion and a positive attitude can help people succeed.

“All you’re looking for is that slim chance” to prove yourself, Flutie told the more than 1,000 graduates. “Do not let them tell you what you are capable of.”

His knack for creative genius on the football field augmented a work ethic that served him well, and which he said could serve the graduates well.

“Make sure you’re improving every day,” he advised the graduates.

It’s not just personal improvement you should work toward, he said, but organizational or societal improvement as well.

“You need to become a leader,” he said. “You need to bring people along with you.”

In 1998, Flutie and his wife, Laurie, established the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Dougie is now 17.

“I’m a little embarrassed that it took me until I was 35 to really dig in” to a cause larger than myself, he said.

In the 11 years since, the Fluties have raised more than $10 million to finance education and research into autism.

Flutie and Channel 12 (WPRI) TV news anchor Karen Adams both received honorary doctorates of humane letters.

Sunday’s graduates received degrees in a number of technical fields including automotive technology, electronics engineering, software engineering and occupational therapy.

With the country mired in an economic downturn and the state’s unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent, several graduates said they had already begun working, were set to begin a new job, or were moving on to an advanced-degree program.

“I’m very grateful I have a job,” said Sherri Campbell-Tremblay, of Pawtucket.

Campbell-Tremblay, who received a degree as an occupational-therapy assistant, has been working at the Waterview Villa, in East Providence, since December.

For a list of graduates, visit: www.neit.edu/index.cfm?pg=427&title=2009-Graduates

pgrimald@projo.com