I’m 38
years old now, and it’s been 20 years since I laced up my track spikes, ran
down an asphalt runway, and pounded a wooden toe board with all my might before
landing in a pit of sand.
Long
jumping was my life.
And after
much of my youth and most of my adolescence were consumed by the sport, do you
know what I remember most?
Not the
medals I won or the all-conference lists I topped.
And,
frankly, I struggle to recall how much of a nuisance it was to have grains of sand
appear in quite literally every bit of clothing I owned.
What I
remember most are the words my father, who also served as my coach and my
mentor, would utter nearly daily:
How bad do you want it? and You’ve got
to have fire in your belly.
I look
back on that time in my life, and I can tell you now with complete and total
honesty that those words won meets for me.
Words are
powerful.
Because
they inspire you.
They
drive you.
They,
somehow, can make you reach deep down inside yourself and eek out that last bit
of will you never knew you had.
Here are 10 of the best motivational quotes in football:
1. "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." Bo Schembechler
Alright,
I’m a Michigan grad who bleeds maize and blue. Sue me. But regardless of where
you stand as a football fan, you’d be hard-pressed to deny the value of this
phrase. Yes, Bo used this as a rallying cry to his players who made the
decision to endure the program’s dramatic culture change. But one can interpret
these words in a myriad of ways: Those who stay – in the weight room and do
those few extra reps – will be champions. Those who stay – after practice and
do a few extra laps – will be champions. Those who stay – as in stick it out
through the thick and thin – will be champions. After all, perseverence is in every champion’s DNA.
2. “The difference between a successful person and
others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack
of will.” Vince Lombardi
As a
means to delve further into this quote, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the
words my own husband used to replay in his head when he was blocking for Barry
Sanders as an offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions in the 90s: I’m tired, but so is the other guy; I’m
cold, but so is the other guy; I’m hurting, and so is the other guy. Will
does make the difference. Period.
3. “Without self-discipline, success is impossible,
period.” Lou Holtz
I do
declare that truer words have never been spoken about football. Or life.
4. “Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so
incredible, it's unbelievable.” Tom Landry
Need
evidence? Check out the final 10 seconds of this year’s contest between Michigan
and Michigan State. Remember, it ain’t over until it’s over.
5. “I learned that if you want to make it bad enough,
no matter how bad it is, you can make it.” Gale Sayers
It bears
repeating: You really can reach deep down inside yourself and eek out that last
of bit will you never knew you had.
6. “Success is not forever and failure isn't fatal.” Don
Shula
You might
be down after a loss, but you’re never – ever
– out. Move on. What are you going to do the next game?
7. “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the
size of the fight in the dog.” Archie Griffin
Amen.
8. "I expect to win out there." Drew Brees (pictured above)
It has
been said that we don’t get out of life what we want, but we do get what we
expect. There is a difference.
9. "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard,
you'll be hard to beat." Herschel Walker
Remember
that when you’re sucking wind midway through practice and question how much
more you can take.
10. "Do you know what my favorite part of the
game is? The opportunity to play.” Mike Singletary
Talk
about perspective. I love this quote for so many reasons. I mean, really, why
do we participate in sports in the first place? Where does that drive come
from? For most of us, it comes from a passion to play. And we should be grateful
for the chance to do so.
Find this list on USA Football, too!

Love this post! How incredible to have someone so wise mentoring you, coaching you and above all, father to you.
ReplyDeleteTrish, your comment, means A LOT. Thank you so very much for not only reading, but taking a moment to share such kindness.
DeleteHave a wonderful week ahead.
xo
SO many good ones here!! Of course anything from Vince Lombardi is gospel to me but I also love the one from Shula!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to a big night here in New England :-)
Hi!!! How are you?! Thanks so much for your comment -- I REALLY enjoyed writing this post! And, of course, I'll be watching MNF!!!
DeleteEnjoy your week ahead...
xo