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100 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes Of All Time

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For sports fans, sports are the epitome of hard work and dedication. To get to the pinnacle of their sport, even the most naturally gifted athletes have to give it their all. Yes, we watch sports for the excitement, but even more so for the drama. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a team come back to win that 4th game after being down 0-3, or a fighter getting off the canvas to score a comeback after a knock-out.

Sports are about those incredible moments where sheer human will and desire overcomes the odds. These are the moments we remember.

Given the nature of sports, it’s not surprising that athletes have had some inspiring and motivational things to say about hard work , perseverance, leadership , winning, and much more. Here are the most inspirational sports quotes for athletes and fans.

100 Inspiring Sports Quotes

The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose. Ernie Banks

When you’re riding, only the race in which you’re riding is important. Bill Shoemaker

Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability. Bruce Jenner

A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever. Mary Lou Retton

Number one is just to gain a passion for running. To love the morning, to love the trail, to love the pace on the track. And if some kid gets really good at it, that’s cool too. Pat Tyson

Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown. Ross Perot

You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself. Larry Brown

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. Ted Williams

One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it. Knute Rockne

The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength , skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit. Ken Doherty

An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head. Emil Zatopek

Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her. Mia Hamm

Never give up , never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss. Doug Williams

It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters. Paul “Bear” Bryant

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Marv Levy

I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat. Tom Landry

Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears. Laird Hamilton

I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it. Sandy Koufax

If you can’t outplay them, outwork them. Ben Hogan

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. Rogers Hornsby

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. William James

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. Mike Singletary

Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential. Liane Cardes

Good is not good when better is expected. Vin Scully

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. Tommy Lasorda

Champions keep playing until they get it right. Billie Jean King

You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours. Herb Brooks

If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail. Mark Spitz

How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser. Lou Holtz

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Matt Biondi

Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence. George F. Will

The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before. Steve Young

You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy. Arthur Ashe

What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose. Andre Agassi

The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning. Pele

It ain’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

Most talented players don’t always succeed. Some don’t even make the team. It’s more what’s inside. Brett Favre

One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team , but one man cannot make a team. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Stubbornness usually is considered a negative; but I think that trait has been a positive for me. Cal Ripken Jr.

You’ve got to take the initiative and play your game. In a decisive set, confidence is the difference. Chris Evert

When you win, say nothing, when you lose, say less. Paul Brown

The hardest skill to acquire in this sport is the one where you compete all out, give it all you have, and you are still getting beat no matter what you do. When you have the killer instinct to fight through that, it is very special. Eddie Reese

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent. Arnold Schwarzenegger

During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball. Mickey Mantle

I never left the field saying I could have done more to get ready and that gives me peace of mind. Peyton Manning

Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you. Eddie Robinson

You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out, but you gotta suit up for them all. J. Askenberg

Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you. Arnold Palmer

To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them. Picabo Street

Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time. Lou Brock

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. Homer Rice

You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave–win or lose. Gordie Howe

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging. Hank Aaron

I didn’t believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on the field and be prepared to play a good game. Tom Landry

Your biggest opponent isn’t the other guy. It’s human nature. Bobby Knight

If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it. Ronnie Lott

If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win. Carl Lewis

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

Make each day your masterpiece. John Wooden

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. Pat Riley

Win If You Can, Lose If You Must, But NEVER QUIT! Cameron Trammell

If you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough. Mario Andretti

What do do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it. Dean Smith

Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds. Larry Bird

If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all? Joe Namath

You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. Michael Phelps

Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden

Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. Phil Jackson

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. Joe Paterno

Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records. William A. Ward

Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. Satchel Paige

Some people say I have attitude – maybe I do…but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there. Venus Williams

It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters. Evander Holyfield

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ Muhammad Ali

There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between. Pat Riley

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. Jack Dempsey

It ain’t over till it’s over. Yogi Berra

You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Phil Jackson

Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first step to succeeding. Jim Valvano

You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky

The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it. Wayne Gretzky

Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts. Dan Gable

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan

Hope you enjoyed these 100 inspirational quotes for athletes. If we left anything out, we’d love to hear the quotes that make you love sports and get you motivated to play them.

Quincy Seale

7 thoughts on “100 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes Of All Time”

Big time player make big time plays- Santana Moss

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” – Jack Dempsey I think that this is a very strong and inspirational quote to kids that are in sports and are struggling and getting let down by teammates or coaches if according to other players on the team or the coaches. So, thanks to Jack by coming up with this amazing quote.

“Pain is Temporary, Quiting Lasts Forever”-Danny Duncan

Mia Hamm… And: No, not important

“Access to success is through the mind.” Jack Nelson

“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success.” by Ross Perot This is one of my favorites. All too often in everything we do we just fall short of reaching our goals. Just a few more steps, just around the next corner, we just need to keep on pushing through and we’ll get where we want to be.

Here’s my favorite:

“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never be denied.” – The Rock

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Top 40 Quotations For Essay Sports and Games – FSC Notes

Quotes on sports and games importance essay for class 12.

This post contains Quotations for Essay Sports and Games for FSC 2nd Year Students. There are some essays based on games like Essay on Cricket Match with quotations , Essay on Hockey Match, or Essay on Importance of Sports and Games in the syllabus of FSC Part 2. Students can write the same Quotations for Sports and Games in these essays.

Students of FSC 2nd year like to write essays with quotations to obtain good marks in English papers. That’s why I am providing them with English essays with Quotations on ilmihub.com. I have also developed a category based on Quotes for essays for 12 Class students. So, they could get a complete Essay with Quotes or they can note down only Quotations as per their requirement.

Sports and Games Essay Quotations for FSC 2nd Year

• According to Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam: “A healthy mind can realize God.”
• “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” (Proverb)
• “The first wealth is health” – (R.W Emerson)
• “Never let a win get to your head, or a loss to your heart.” – (Chuck D)
• “Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” – (Heywood Broun)
• Sport is a preserver of health. (Keats)
• “Sports is the greatest physical poetry.” – (Joe Philips)
•  “If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play at it, it’s recreation.” – (Bop hope)
• “A sound body has a sound mind.” – (Thales)
• “Pain is only temporary but victory is forever.” – (Jeremy H.)
• “If you can accept losing, you can’t win.” – (Vince Lombardi)
• “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” – (Vince Lombardi)
• “Sweat plus sacrifice equals success.” – (Charles O. Finley)
• “Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well.” – (Marcus Valerius Martial)
• “A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.” – (Spanish Proverb)
• “Health is wealth.” – (Proverb)
• “Games and sports widen the mental horizon of players and make them true followers of the rule of law.” – (Unknown)
• “Games and sports develop character and give health which are quite essential for improving the quality of life, acquiring wealth and success.” – (Unknown)
• “You can’t win unless you learn to lose.” – (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
• “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – (Bobby Unser)
• “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They are made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” (Dan Gable)
• “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – (Michael Phelps)
• “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.” – (Knute Rockne)
• “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – (Vince Lombardi)
• “To find a man’s true character, play golf with him.” – (P. G. Wodehouse)
• “Life is about timing.” – (Carl Lewis)
• “Sports are microcosm of society.” – (Billie Jean King)
• “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – (Mary Lou Retton)
• “You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself.” – (Larry Brown)
• “The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit.” – (Ken Doherty)
• “Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss.”  – (Doug Williams)
• “When you’ve got something to prove, there’s nothing greater than a challenge.” – (Terry Bradshaw)
• “It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – (Paul “Bear” Bryant)
• “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” – (Marv Levy)
• “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – (Tom Landry)
• Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – (Bo Jackson)
•  Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” – (Laird Hamilton)
• “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” – (Mike Singletary)
• “Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential.” (Liane Cardes)

What are sports quotes?

• “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose”. – (Ernie Banks)
• “Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.” – (LeBron James)
• “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King
• “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” – (Knute Rockne)
• “It is more difficult to stay on top than to get there.” – (Mia Hamm)

What is a good quote for sports?

There are many good quotes about sports and games. I have already shared almost 45 quotations on games and sports essay above. However, you will like this one.

“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” (Marv Levy)

What is the importance of sport?

Sports and games are very important for everybody. In the modern age, the invention of the mobile phone has changed our way of living totally. Our sports grounds are deserted. People spend a lot of time with their smartphones. The situation is very alarming. Sports and games keep the human body fit. Also, a man learns how to bear defeat and how to rise again. Sportsman gets a healthy body and positive attitude.

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One comment.

Malik Naveed

December 2, 2023 at 6:56 am

Good 👍 quotations

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The 115 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes of All Time

Every generation has its favorite athletes. Usually, these are pretty good professionals that are adored by the masses. And while there are hundreds if not thousands of skilled athletes, the number of those who truly excel in their given profession is astonishingly low. But every once in a while, there comes a young individual along who grows into the talent of the century. These are the remarkable athletes that stand apart from the rest. These are the true champions that define an entire century within their area. It’s not unusual that they manage to break a vast number of records and by doing so become immortal legends. Let’s have a look at some of the most inspirational sports quotes from the champions that made history. (Be sure not to miss our collections on baseball quotes , soccer quotes , and basketball quotes ).

Sporting arenas are the places where modern heroes are born. Their accomplishments in these arenas are broadcast to millions of people all around the world. It is, therefore, no surprise that the heroic deeds of the sports stars have inspired and motivated entire generations.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael jordan

The true questions, however, are: What has motivated these exceptional champions throughout their active carriers? What has inspired them to peak performance routinely?

Enjoy these brilliantly motivational sports quotes.

One may also wonder where these athletes took the mental and physical strength to overcome severe injuries or setbacks.

115 Inspirational Sports Quotes

Learning from the best sportsmen in their field can help you tremendously. The benefits of reading to thoughts and ideas of true sports champions are manifold. For one, it will help you to quickly develop a better feeling of their habits and attitudes. The same time, reading a carefully selected collection of inspirational sports quotes helps you to quickly get motivated . No matter if you need a quick motivational boost or the necessary strength to overcome obstacles – the following quotes will help you to quickly turn things around.

Let’s have a look at these motivational sports quotes

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Vince Lombardi

“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” Dan Gable

“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” Matt Biondi

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” Vince Lombardi

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.” Arnold Schwarzenegger

“If you come in second, you’re just the first loser!” Tiger Woods

“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” Jack Dempsey

“Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” George Halas

“The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.” Les Brown

“I’m playing; I’m here. I’m going to fight until they tell me they don’t want me anymore.” Steve Nash

“You’re never a loser until you quit trying.” Mike Ditka

“Winning is a habit. Unfortunately so is losing.” Vince Lombardi

“If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” Joe Namath

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Tim Notke

“If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.” Ronnie Lott

“I’ve never lost a game I just ran out of time.” Michael Jordan

“If you don´t fall, how are you going to know what getting up feels like?” Stephen Curry

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Babe Ruth

“Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.” Steve Prefontaine

“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. ” William Arthur Ward

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Babe Ruth

“To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift.” Steve Prefontaine

“Running isn’t a sport for pretty boys… It’s about the sweat in your hair and the blisters on your feet. It’s about getting out the door and running when the rest of the world is only dreaming about having the passion that you need to live each and every day with. It’s about being on a lonely road and running like a champion even when there’s not a single soul in sight to cheer you on. Running is all about having the desire to train and persevere until every fiber in your legs, mind, and heart is turned to steel. And when you’ve finally forged hard enough, you will have become the best runner you can be.” Paul Maurer

“The finest of athletes have, along with skill, a few more essential qualities: to conduct their life with dignity, with integrity, with courage and modesty. All these, are totally compatible with pride, ambition, determination, and competitiveness” Donald Bradman

“I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” Tom Landry

“Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is.” Vince Lombardi

“Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” Lou Holtz

“In some sports, you can just get by on a lot of natural talent. In swimming, it helps to be long and lean, but you can’t be good at it without putting in the work. There is a direct connection between what you put into it and what you get out of it.” Michael Phelps

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Muhammad Ali

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” Yogi Berra

“A lot of football success is in the mind. you must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are.” Bill Shankly

“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” Heywood Broun

“There is about world-class athletes carving out exemptions from physical laws a transcendent beauty that makes manifest God in man.” David Foster Wallace

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” Billie Jean King

“Make each day your masterpiece.” John Wooden

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” Dean Karnazes

“Approach the game with no preset agendas and you’ll probably come away surprised at your overall efforts. „ Phil Jackson

“If you are afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful!” Charles Barkley

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” Michael Phelps

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” William James

“Greatness, whether athletic or otherwise, doesn’t come from those content on just being but from those who seek to be the difference.” Kirk Mango

“Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden

“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” Derek Jeter

“If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.” Ben Hogan

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” Pele

“I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it.” Sandy Koufax

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Phil Jackson

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time. „ Vince Lombardi

“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. „ Eric Liddell

“Football is like life – it requires perserverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” Vince Lombardi

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.” Kirk Mango

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” Arnold Palmer

“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” Wayne Gretzky

“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” Eric Liddell

“Never underestimate the heart of a champion!” Doc Rivers

“There’s something about putting on a pair of skates, and getting out there and moving like nobody else can. Freedom is a word that comes to mind.” Randy Gardner

“Many people say I’m the best women’s soccer player in the world. I don’t think so. And because of that, someday I just might be.” Mia Hamm

“Life isn’t about how comfortable I can be it is about learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable” Heather Gillis

“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” Mike Singletary

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” Babe Ruth

“It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” Paul Bryant

“The strong one doesn’t win, the one that wins is strong.” Franz beckenbauer

“Everyone has the fire, but the champions know when to ignite the spark.” Amit Ray

“When you’ve got something to prove, there’s nothing greater than a challenge.” Terry Bradshaw

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” Michael Jordan

“Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” Michael Jordan

“You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game. If that isn’t enough, in the second half, you have to give what’s left.” Yogi Berra

“In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” Tommy Lasorda

“I haven’t celebrated coming in No. 2 too many times.” Mark Messier

“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.” Knute Rockne

“Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.” Tim Fargo

“I never worry about the problem. I worry about the solution.” Shaquille O’Neal

“You don’t just want to beat a team. You want to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see your face again.” Mia Hamm

“What we glean from watching or actively participating in sporting contests is the sense of commitment needed to succeed and the diverse paths that lead to failure.” Kilroy J. Oldster

“We can choose to accept the fact that a challenge may be quite impossible, or we can choose to challenge the impossible.” Andre Bramble

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Muhammad Ali

“A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” Mary Lou Retton

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” Bobby Unser

“Most people who do a lot of exercise, particularly in the form of competitive athletics, have unneurotic, extraverted, optimistic personalities to begin with.” Robert M. Sapolsky

“The idea here is simple, if you can dream it, it is possible.” Ernest Riveras Tobia

“Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. „ Ted Williams

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they’d make up their minds.” Wilt Chamberlain

“If a team wants to intimidate you physically and you let them, they’ve won.” Mia Hamm

“It is in experiencing and accepting the pain of defeat, that we may truly acknowledge the joy of victory.” Andre Bramble

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” John Bingham

“If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out.” George Brett

“Sports are only sports until someone who doesn’t give a damn about sports has something to gain from them, then sports suddenly become economics.” Fredrik Backman

“I love the suffering that goes into the sport, to become the best.” Tj Eisenhart

“Every name looks fashionable when it’s etched in silver. (Stanley Cup)” Bruce Boudreau

“I’ll play baseball for the Army or fight for it, whatever they want me to do.” Mickey Mantle

“Sports benefit the spectators the least.” Mokokoma Mokhonoana

“Fans don’t boo nobodies. „ Reggie Jackson

“The greatest skill the best athletes in the world possess is their ability to listen.” Emma Chase

“Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast.” Joe Garagiola

“Sqauash is the only gane where you call your ‘opponent’ a ‘partner’, and both of you play on the same side!” Sandeep Sahajpal

“Sports creates complicated men, proud enough to refuse to admit their mistakes, but humble enough always to put their team first.” Fredrik Backman

“In sports, it is not the strongest, who wins, but the most practical and skillful” Sunday Adelaja

“Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can’t get you off. „ Bill Veeck

“I never smile when I have a bat in my hands. That’s when you’ve got to be serious. When I get out on the field, nothing’s a joke to me. I don’t feel like I should walk around with a smile on my face.” Hank Aaron

“Baseball is a public trust. Players turn over, owners turn over and certain commissioners turn over. But baseball goes on. „ Peter Ueberroth

“He’s probably the only player who doesn’t play for 10 months and, if he scores a hat trick in his first game back, no one would be surprised.” Ryan Whitney

“Tennis taught me to take chances, to take life as it comes. To hit every ball that comes to me no matter how hard it looks, to give it my best shot.” Thisuri Wanniarachchi

“In sport the mind serves as the acolyte and apprentice of the body. Nothing interferes with the flow of the game more than the athlete who obsesses about his every move on the court. You move, you react, you recover, you drive, and the thinking is seamless and invisible in the secret codes of your game.” Pat Conroy

“Scores give better decision than judges.” Amit Kalantri

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.” Mia Hamm

“Sports teach us the value of facing yourself and others honestly. You can only grow if you let go of denial and embrace what is real and true.” Corey Irwin

“Many think that the mark of a great champion is the nature and margin of their victories and the peaks they scale and reach. That’s only part of it. The mark of the greatest of champions is how they react and respond to defeat. That is when they become enshrined in our hearts and minds as they rise again and into the immortal pages of history.” Rasheed Ogunlaru

“To the athlete, all things are forgiven” Alec Waugh

“Tomorrow I will run more courageously, more outrageously.” Talismanist Giebra

“I love Boxing; Rocky was created as a tribute to all boxing legends and for all athletes who are trying to get on track once again after getting knocked down in life and for me too …I love it more than any one will ever do ….love and respect” Sami Abouzid

“Defeated misery is what all sport is about, eventually, if you follow the story for long enough; all sportsmen know this.” Nick Hornby

“Soccer forces life to move on. There’s always a new match. A new season. There’s always a dream that everything can get better. It’s a game of wonders.” Fredrik Backman

“I have no sense of humor about losing” Rafael Nadal

“There is no ‘i’ in team.” T. Jay Taylor

I hope you enjoyed this collection of exceptionally inspirational sports quotes. What is your favorite sport and why?

Stay victorious!

About Author

Steve is the founder of Planet of Success , the #1 choice when it comes to motivation, self-growth and empowerment. This world does not need followers. What it needs is people who stand in their own sovereignty. Join us in the quest to live life to the fullest!

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75 Inspirational Sports Quotes to Boost Your Motivation and Drive

In sports, just as in life, sometimes we need that extra spark to push us toward victory. Inspirational sports quotes are like those little fuel injections—just enough to keep us striving, no matter how tough things get. From legends on the court to icons on the field, here are 75 inspirational sports quotes to lift your spirit, sharpen your focus, and remind you why you started in the first place.

Quotes on Never Giving Up

1. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky It’s all about taking chances. Inaction is a guarantee of failure, so you might as well shoot your shot!

2. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi The ultimate rallying cry against adversity. Victory isn’t measured by never falling but by how many times you rise again.

3. “Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” – Lance Armstrong A powerful reminder that discomfort fades, but regrets have a tendency to stick around.

4. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King Persistence pays off. Champions understand the value of repetition and growth through every trial.

5. “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser This quote emphasizes the necessity of being ready when the moment comes, rather than waiting to get ready.

6. “It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant It’s one thing to want success, but preparing for it is where the real effort lies.

7. “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan MJ knows a thing or two about pushing boundaries. Limits are just challenges waiting to be broken.

Quotes on Teamwork and Collaboration

8. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan Individual talent shines, but championships come from collective effort and smart plays.

9. “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson Mutual support is what makes teams thrive. Success flows both ways—lifting others and being lifted.

10. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller Even outside of sports, this holds true: collaboration amplifies everyone’s potential.

11. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford A team must stay united through the entire journey to achieve greatness.

12. “Teamwork makes the dream work.” – John C. Maxwell Short and sweet, it’s a reminder that collective effort is essential to making visions reality.

13. “In union, there is strength.” – Aesop A proverb that reminds us how the collective force of a group is far more potent than any lone attempt.

14. “Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek When aligned, team goals are infinitely more attainable.

Quotes on Resilience and Perseverance

15. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb True grit is about getting up one more time than you’ve fallen.

16. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius Victory lies not in invincibility but in resilience.

17. “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it.” – Michael Jordan Challenges are simply invitations to find a new route, not reasons to quit.

18. “The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks Sometimes, resilience is showcased best in how gracefully you accept defeat.

19. “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth Relentlessness is intimidating; those who persevere often find success simply because they didn’t stop.

20. “What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” – Andre Agassi Sometimes, fighting for something is strengthened by understanding what’s at stake.

21. “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi True strength is more about spirit than physical prowess.

Quotes on Hard Work and Dedication

22. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke This quote is a gentle reminder that talent alone doesn’t guarantee victory; consistent effort is key.

23. “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” – Pelé Hard-fought wins bring the sweetest rewards, as the journey adds to the value.

24. “If you train hard, you’ll not only be hard, you’ll be hard to beat.” – Herschel Walker Training doesn’t just build skill—it cultivates an unbeatable spirit.

25. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – Pelé True accomplishment is a mix of effort, passion, and resilience.

26. “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan Active effort is what separates dreamers from achievers.

27. “The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.” – Les Brown The grit and grind make success even more enjoyable when you reach it.

28. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan Belief in oneself is the first step toward achieving one’s goals.

Quotes on Success and Achieving Goals

29. “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi Desire fuels success. It’s not just the outcome; it’s the drive that leads you there.

30. “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan Mistakes don’t make us weaker; they provide the foundation for our triumphs.

31. “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does—that makes you a winner right there.” – Venus Williams Self-belief is often the only thing that stands between you and success.

32. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi A reminder that success is about recovery, not immunity to failure.

33. “To uncover your true potential, you must first find your own limits and then have the courage to blow past them.” – Picabo Street Breaking limits isn’t about finding what you can’t do; it’s about redefining what you’re capable of.

34. “Winning isn’t everything, but making the effort to win is.” – Vince Lombardi It’s not always about the trophy but the will to go for it wholeheartedly.

35. “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” – Jack Dempsey Champions don’t give up. They find strength, even in their lowest moments.

Quotes on Focus and Determination

36. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden Wooden reminds us that even limitations can’t stand in the way when we focus on our strengths.

37. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” – Muhammad Ali Even the greats have had moments of doubt; they just push through them.

38. “You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself.” – Larry Brown True peace comes from pushing through fear and standing by what’s right, even when it’s tough.

39. “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-the-time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time.” – Vince Lombardi Lombardi champions consistency—success is a habit, not a one-off event.

40. “I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability.” – Bruce Jenner Winning isn’t just about physicality; mental strength is equally essential.

41. “The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” – Joe Paterno Paterno puts preparation on a pedestal—those who prepare are already halfway to victory.

42. “Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.” – Larry Bird Bird exemplifies relentless effort, reminding us to give everything until the end.

Quotes on Risk-Taking and Boldness

43. “If you’re afraid of failure, you don’t deserve to be successful.” – Charles Barkley Fear of failure limits your potential. Success requires courage to risk falling short.

44. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali Ali speaks to the necessity of taking risks—great achievements are born from bold actions.

45. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps Dreams shouldn’t be confined. The bigger they are, the further they can propel you.

46. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe The pursuit itself is where success is shaped, not just in reaching the goal.

47. “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” – Joe Namath Commitment is key. Half-measures rarely lead to fulfilling results.

48. “Risk something or forever sit with your dreams.” – Herb Brooks Dreams require bold moves; Brooks encourages us not to sit idly by.

49. “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.” – Muhammad Ali Real champions are fueled by an inner drive that no physical workout alone can build.

Quotes on Facing Failure and Overcoming Obstacles

50. “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan Failure is part of the process. What matters is making the attempt in the first place.

51. “It’s okay to struggle. It’s not okay to give up.” – Gabe Grunewald Struggles are temporary, but giving up has a lasting impact. Keep going.

52. “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” – George S. Patton The true test of success is resilience—bouncing back after the biggest falls.

53. “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” – Henry Ford Failure simply provides a roadmap on how to do better next time.

54. “Defeat is simply the addition of time to your success.” – Marion Jones Each setback is just a stepping stone toward eventual victory.

55. “Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” – John Wooden Wooden urges us to push our potential and aim higher than past successes.

56. “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.” – Unknown Persistence, not perfection, is what separates winners from the rest.

Quotes on Confidence and Self-Belief

57. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan Belief in yourself is the cornerstone of achieving anything worthwhile.

58. “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi Confidence, or lack of it, spreads. Bring a positive attitude, and others will follow.

59. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt Sometimes, the hardest part is just believing in your own potential.

60. “Don’t count the days; make the days count.” – Muhammad Ali Ali’s words remind us to focus on quality over quantity—each day has potential.

61. “What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time.” – Don Zimmer Talent is only part of the equation; effort and enthusiasm fill in the rest.

62. “Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” – Beyoncé True confidence doesn’t rely on outside validation but comes from within.

63. “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Serena Williams Self-belief is the secret ingredient that fuels resilience when no one else believes.

Quotes on Passion and Love for the Game

64. “Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.” – Wayne Huizenga Dreaming is only part of the equation; the real magic lies in taking action.

65. “For the love of the game.” – Unknown Passion keeps you going when things get tough, fueling each play and every challenge.

66. “Find something you love and do it better than everyone else.” – Unknown Passion is the greatest advantage you can have in any field, sports included.

67. “Love the game and the game will love you back.” – Arthur Ashe A deep-rooted respect for the sport will reward you with growth and fulfillment.

68. “A true champion is one who sweats from exhaustion when no one is watching.” – Bas Rutten Real dedication happens behind the scenes, where passion meets hard work.

69. “Play for the name on the front of the jersey, and they’ll remember the name on the back.” – Unknown Selflessness on the field builds a legacy that outlasts individual success.

Quotes on Achievement and Legacy

70. “I’ve failed again and again throughout my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan Every failure is a step closer to success, adding to the final triumph.

71. “Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” – Shaquille O’Neal Success comes from consistently choosing excellence, day after day.

72. “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice Rice speaks to the power of extra effort—what you do today sets the stage for tomorrow.

73. “Records are meant to be broken.” – Richard Branson Boundaries are made to be pushed, and achievements are only a base for what’s possible next.

74. “Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.” – Vince Lombardi Lombardi’s wisdom emphasizes that champions go the extra mile.

75. “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” – Mike Singletary Gratitude for the journey—sometimes the best reward is simply getting to play.

Wrapping It Up

With the wisdom of sports legends and motivational figures, these 75 inspirational sports quotes remind us of the resilience, passion, and team spirit that sports bring into life. Whether it’s lifting yourself up after a tough day or finding strength in a moment of doubt, these quotes offer motivation and insight to help you reach for greatness. Remember, every challenge, every setback, and every victory is a step closer to your own championship moment.

To dive deeper into the inspiring words of basketball legends, check out these memorable NBA quotes that capture the spirit and resilience of the game.

FAQs: Inspirational Sports Quotes

1. What is the impact of inspirational sports quotes on athletes? Inspirational sports quotes often reinforce resilience, determination, and focus, helping athletes maintain motivation and mental toughness during training and competition.

2. Why are certain athletes more quoted than others? Athletes who have overcome significant challenges, achieved legendary success, or displayed unique insights are more quoted because their words resonate deeply with fans and aspiring players.

3. How can inspirational sports quotes be used outside of sports? These quotes cover universal themes like perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief, making them applicable to various aspects of life, including work and personal growth.

4. What is the best way to incorporate these quotes into daily life? Using quotes as daily reminders—whether written down, spoken aloud, or set as phone reminders—can help reinforce positive mindsets and inspire action.

5. Can anyone use sports quotes for motivation? Absolutely! Whether or not you play sports, these quotes offer valuable lessons on resilience, effort, and teamwork that are relevant to everyone.

6. What is the value of using quotes from famous athletes? Quotes from successful athletes often carry authority and inspiration due to their achievements and experiences, making their words powerful motivators for others.

Chuck is an online curator of daily inspiration and motivation, sharing powerful quotes that encourage positivity, resilience, and personal growth. With a keen eye for words that uplift and inspire, Chuck creates an online space where followers can find encouragement to face life’s challenges and pursue their dreams with confidence. Through social media platforms, Chuck spreads a daily dose of motivation to help others stay focused, hopeful, and energized every day.

240 Famous Sports Quotes: Words to Motivate & Inspire Athletes

Welcome to our blog about sports quotes ! Sports quotes can inspire us, make us laugh, and give us the motivation to keep going, no matter what. In this blog, I gathered the most catchy and inspiring sports quotes for you. Whether you’re an athlete or just love sports, these quotes will lift your spirits and push you to do your best. Let’s discover some inspiring sports quotes!

Catchy Sports Quotes

• “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” —Knute Rockne
• “The past doesn’t matter. Take today.” —Becky Sauerbrunn
• “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” —Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” —Mary Lou Retton
• “I believe in the impossible because no one else does.” —Florence Griffith Joyner
• “Passion first and everything will fall into place.” —Holly Holm
• “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” —Ernie Banks
• “You control your own wins and losses.” —Maria Sharapova
• “Overpower.  Overcome.” —Serena Williams
• “I just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.” —Gertrude Ederle

This blog helps you to choose Unique Sports Team Names

Inspirational Sports Quotes

• “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” —Vince Lombardi
• “Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.” —LeBron James
• “If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.” —Mark Spitz
• “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” —Neale Donald Walsh
• “Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle.” —Wilma Rudolph
• “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” —Marv Levy
• “If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.” —Ben Hogan
• “It is the action that creates motivation.” —Steve Backley
• “Even while they teach, men learn.” —Seneca the Younger
• “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” —Billie Jean King

Also, take a look at Sports Slogans Ideas & List of Sports Slogans

Motivational Sports Quotes

• “Tough times never last, but tough people do. “- Dr. Robert Schuller (Televangelist)
• “Know yourself and you will win all battles. “- Lao Tzu (Chinese Philosopher)
• “The best motivation always comes from within. “- Michael Johnson (Gold Medal Sprinter)
• “Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety. “- Jack Nicklaus (Golf Great)
• “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer. “- John Madden (Football Coach)
• “Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. “-Phil Jackson (NBA Coach)
• “Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. “- Alex Karras (Football Player)
• “Nothing will work unless you do. “- John Wooden (Basketball Coach)
• “To begin, begin. “- Peter Nivio Zarlenga (Famous Author)
• “Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment. “- Heywood Hale Broun (sportswriter)

Motivational Quotes For Athletes

• “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”-Babe Ruth
• “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”-Matt Biondi
• “The road to success runs uphill.”-Willie Davis
• “I may win and I may lose, but I will never be defeated.”-Emmitt Smith
• “Champions keep playing until they get it right.”-Billie Jean King
• “Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.”-Rocky Balboa
• “It never gets easier, you just get better.”-Unknown
• “A man who has no imagination has no wings.”-Muhammad Ali
• “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”-Bobby Unser
• “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”– Fred Devito

Inspirational Quotes For Athletes

• “Football is just a game. What matters is what you play for.” ― Ernie Davis
• “Running reminded me exactly who I am and what I am made of.” ― Lynn Jennings
• “Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.” ― Michael Jordan
• “It is not the strong one that wins, the one that wins is strong.” — Franz Beckenbauer
• “He who gets the best players usually wins.” — Bobby Bowden
• “If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all.” — Arsene Wenger
• “To achieve great things you have first to believe it.” — Arsene Wenger
• “Basketball doesn’t build character it reveals it.” — James Naismith
• “Sports is human life in microcosm.” ― Howard Cosell
• “If you want to score a goal, you have to hit the target.” — Fabio Capello

Short Sports Quotes Inspirational

• “If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.” – Ben Hogan
• “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.” – John Madden
• “When you see a good move, look for a better one.” – Emanuel Lasker
• “Good is not good when better is expected.” – Vin Scully
• “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” — Jack Dempsey
• “No one ever won a game by resigning.” – Ksawery Tartakower
• “The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.” — Les Brown
• “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” — Vince Lombardi
• “If you come in second, you’re just the first loser!” — Tiger Woods
• “To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift.” — Steve Prefontaine

Famous Sports Quotes

• “You must have confidence in your competence.” – Elijah Cummings
• “Some medals are pinned to your soul, not to your jacket.”— Gino Bartali
• “Comfort the challenged, and challenge the comfortable.” – Ric Charlesworth
• “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” – Naoki Higashida
• “You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you.” – Yogi Berra
• “Team guts always beats individual greatness.” – Robert Zuppke
• “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.” – Babe Ruth
• “Just play. Have fun.  Enjoy the game.” — Michael Jordan
• “Act as if it was, and it will be.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita
• “I’ve never lost a game I just ran out of time.” ― Michael Jordan
• “Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.” ― Paul Tournier

Sports Mindset Quotes

• A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.  Mary Lou Retton
• If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail. Mark Spitz
• Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Marv Levy
• Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Matt Biondi
• The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose. Ernie Banks
• Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence. George F. Will
• Champions keep playing until they get it right. Billie Jean King
• Good is not good when better is expected. Vin Scully
• If you can’t outplay them, outwork them. Ben Hogan
• I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat. Tom Landry

Athlete Quotes

• Make each day your masterpiece. John Wooden
• It ain’t over till it’s over. Yogi Berra
• Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden
• If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all? Joe Namath
• Win If You Can, Lose If You Must, But NEVER QUIT! Cameron Trammell
• If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it. Ronnie Lott
• Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. Phil Jackson
• You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Phil Jackson
• A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. Jack Dempsey
• You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky

Great Sports Quotes

• It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters. – Evander Holyfield, professional boxer
• Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. – Babe Ruth, Hall of Fame professional baseball player
• One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it. – Knute Rockne, Notre Dame football coach
• A trophy carries dust; memories last forever. – Mary Lou Retton, Olympic gymnast and gold medalist
• Champions keep playing until they get it right. – Billie Jean King, professional tennis player
• If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all? – Joe Namath, Super Bowl champion quarterback
• It ain’t over till it’s over. – Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame baseball player, manager and coach
• Tennis is just a game, family is forever. – Serena Williams, professional tennis player
• Success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal, it’s courage that counts. – Alicia Coutts, Gold medal Olympic swimmer

Best Sports Quotes

• “Today, you have 100% of your life left.” – Tom Landry
• “Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.” – Phil Jackson
• “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King
• “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
• “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.” – Ronnie Lott
• “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – Mary Lou Retton
• “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” – Fred DeVito
• “You can’t win if you don’t play as a unit.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth
• “You make your own luck. You make it in training.” – Simone Biles

Team Quotes Sports

• Start where you are. Use what you have.  Do what you can.  ~ Arthur Ashe (Tennis)
• Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible. ~ Frank L.  Gaines (Basketball)
• Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence. ~ George F.  Will (Political Commentator)
• What keeps me going is goals. ~ Muhammad Ali (Boxing)
• If a team wants to intimidate you physically and you let them, they’ve won. ~ Mia Hamm (Soccer)
• Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there. ~ Bo Jackson (Baseball)
• Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. ~ Michael Jordan (Basketball)
• Players don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. ~ Pat Summitt (Basketball)
• No matter how good you get, you can always get better. That’s the exciting part.  ~ Tiger Woods (Golf)
• You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.  ~ Michael Phelps (Swimming)

Sports Encouragement Quotes

• Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period. ~ Lou Holtz (Football)
• Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.  ~ Larry Bird (Basketball)
• Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you. ~ Arnold Palmer (Golf)
• When you’re riding, only the race in which you’re riding is important. ~ Bill Shoemaker (Horse Racing)
• Just be patient. Let the game come to you.  Don’t rush.  Be quick, but don’t hurry.  ~ Earl Monroe (Basketball)
• Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.  ~ Billy Bowerman (Track and Field)
• You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~ Michael Jordan (Basketball)
• Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do. ~ John Wooden (Basketball)
• Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential. ~ Liane Cardes (Author)
• The man who has no imagination has no wings. ~ Muhammad Ali (Boxing

Sports Quotes About Teamwork

• Serious sport is war minus the shooting. – George Orwell
• The man who has no imagination has no wings. – Muhammad Ali
• Champions keep playing until they get it right. – Billie Jean King
• With confidence, you have won before you have started. – Marcus Garvey
• Wrestling is ballet with violence. – Jesse Ventura
• Today, you have 100% of your life left. – Tom Landry
• A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.  – Mary Lou Retton
• I’ve never lost a game, I just ran out of time. – Michael Jordan
• If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. – Fred Devito
• Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.  – Leo Durocher

Funny Sports Quotes

• Ninety percent of this game is half mental. – Yogi Berra
• You can sum up this sport in two words: You never know. –  Lou Duva
• Because there are no fours (on why he takes so many threes). –  Antoine Walker
• But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet. – Steve Spurrier
• Statistics are like bikinis—they show a lot but not everything. –  Lou Piniella
• I was going to write myself in, but I was afraid I’d get shot. –  Lincoln Kennedy
• This is really a lovely horse, I once rode her mother. –  Ted Walsh
• Sports are the reason I am out of shape. I watch them all on TV.  – Thomas Swell
• The first half was even, the second half was even worse. – Pat Spillane
• He called me a ‘rapist’ and a ‘recluse. ’ I’m not a recluse. –  Mike Tyson

Athlete Quotes About Hard Work

• Winning takes talent. To repeat takes character.  ~ John Wooden (Basketball)
• You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. ~ Wayne Gretzky (Ice Hockey)
• Today, you have 100% of your life left. ~ Tom Landry (Football)
• Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t. ~ Jerry Rice (Football)
• Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. ~ Babe Ruth (Baseball)
• You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good. ~ Jerry West (Basketball)
• If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. ~ Fred DeVito (Fitness Guru)
• The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning. ~ Pele (Soccer)
• If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough. ~ Mario Andretti (Racing)

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• Soccer Quotes
• Softball Quotes
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Top 200 Sports Quotes (2025 Update)

1. “ Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses. ”

— Kobe Bryant

Also featured in: Inspirational Quotes , Perseverance Quotes , Goal Quotes , Hard Work Quotes , Work Ethic Quotes

2. “ I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was. ”

— Muhammad Ali

Also featured in: Positive Quotes , Confidence Quotes , Self-Esteem Quotes , Empowering Quotes

3. “ If it turns out that my best wasn’t good enough, at least I won’t look back and say that I was afraid to try; failure makes me work even harder. ”

— Michael Jordan

Also featured in: Failure Quotes , Discipline Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Success , Quotes About Trying

4. “ If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great. Nothing just happens. ”

— J. J. Watt

Also featured in: Hard Work Quotes , Commitment Quotes , Greatness Quotes , Achievement Quotes

5. “ Individuals play the game, but teams win championships. ”

— Bill Parcells

Also featured in: Coaching Quotes , Football Quotes

6. “ Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. ”

Also featured in: Action Quotes , Athlete Quotes , Winning Quotes , Performance Quotes

7. “ You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it. ”

— Lionel Messi

Also featured in: Perseverance Quotes , Goal Quotes , Motivational Work Quotes , Inspirational Quotes for Work , Quotes About Dreams

8. “ Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. ”

— Nelson Mandela

Also featured in: Inspirational Quotes , Make A Difference Quotes , Empowering Quotes , Meaningful Quotes

9. “ Champions have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. ”

Also featured in: Willpower Quotes , Fitness Quotes , Victory Quotes

10. “ I think my secret is that there are no shortcuts for hard work, determination, and having that ‘don’t give up’ attitude. ”

— Jerry Rice

Also featured in: Persistence Quotes , Growth Mindset Quotes , Willpower Quotes , Workout Quotes

11. “ Worrying gets you nowhere. If you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself. ”

— Usain Bolt

Also featured in: Mental Strength Quotes , Gym Motivation Quotes , Exercise Quotes

12. “ If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it. ”

Also featured in: Positive Quotes , Success Quotes , Confidence Quotes , Interesting Quotes

13. “ I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying. ”

Also featured in: Startup Quotes , Failure Quotes , Change Quotes , Athlete Quotes

14. “ He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. ”

Also featured in: Success Quotes , Courage Quotes , Action Quotes , Powerful Motivational Quotes

15. “ Success is peace of mind in knowing you did your best. ”

— John Wooden

Also featured in: Athlete Quotes , Motivational Monday Quotes , Coaching Quotes , Excellence Quotes , Effort Quotes

16. “ If you quit once, it becomes a habit. Never quit. ”

Also featured in: Perseverance Quotes , Goal Quotes , Discipline Quotes , Attitude Quotes

17. “ Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong. ”

Also featured in: Athlete Quotes , Never Give Up Quotes , Giving Up Quotes , Loss Quotes

18. “ Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. ”

— Vince Lombardi

Also featured in: Motivational Quotes , Success Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Success , Coaching Quotes

19. “ Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile. ”

Also featured in: Inspirational Quotes , Leadership Quotes , Hard Work Quotes , Motivational Work Quotes

20. “ Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. ”

Also featured in: Positive Quotes , Success Quotes , Focus Quotes , Persistence Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Work

21. “ Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming. ”

Also featured in: Success Quotes , Life Quotes , Self-Esteem Quotes , Feel Good Quotes , Coaching Quotes

22. “ Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way. ”

Also featured in: Persistence Quotes , Hard Work Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Success , Motivational Quotes About Life , Positive Work Quotes

23. “ There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher. ”

Also featured in: Strong Quotes , Performance Quotes

24. “ You can't be paralyzed by fear of failure or you will never push yourself. You keep pushing because you believe in yourself and in your vision. And you know that it is the right thing to do and success will come. ”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger

Also featured in: Persistence Quotes , Confidence Quotes , Failure Quotes , Inspirational Quotes for Work , Empowering Quotes

25. “ If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else. ”

— Yogi Berra

Also featured in: Silly Quotes , Choices Quotes , Future Quotes , Travel Quotes

26. “ I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses. ”

Also featured in: Motivational Quotes , Startup Quotes , Focus Quotes , Perseverance Quotes , Hard Work Quotes

27. “ If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. ”

Also featured in: Winning Quotes , Collaboration Quotes , Victory Quotes

28. “ I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. Don’t tell me I can’t do something. Don’t tell me it’s impossible. Don’t tell me I’m not the greatest. I’m the double greatest. ”

Also featured in: Confidence Quotes , Self-Esteem Quotes , Athlete Quotes , Self-Love Quotes

29. “ Things turn out best for those who make best of how things turn out. ”

Also featured in: Attitude Quotes , Positive Motivational Quotes , Opportunity Quotes , Coaching Quotes , Sunday Inspirational Quotes

30. “ The harder you work, the luckier you get. ”

— Gary Player

Also featured in: Inspirational Quotes for Work , Performance Quotes , Work Ethic Quotes , Preparation Quotes , Quotes About Trying

31. “ There are no shortcuts to success. ”

— Annika Sorenstam

Also featured in: Persistence Quotes , Common Sense Quotes , Not Giving Up Quotes , Ambition Quotes

32. “ A good process produces good results. ”

— Nick Saban

Also featured in: Focus Quotes , Coaching Quotes , Preparation Quotes , Practice Quotes

33. “ Everything is practice. ”

Also featured in: Positive Inspirational Quotes , Performance Quotes , Practice Quotes , Football Quotes

34. “ From the bodybuilding days on, I learned that everything is reps and mileage. The more miles you ski, the better a skier you become; the more reps you do, the better your body. I'm a big believer in hard work, grinding it out, and not stopping until it's done, so the challenge appealed to me. ”

Also featured in: Quotes About Strength , Dedication Quotes , Work Ethic Quotes , Taking Action Quotes

35. “ The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime. ”

— Babe Ruth

Also featured in: Performance Quotes , Collaboration Quotes

36. “ Hard work, dedication! ”

— Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Also featured in: Hard Work Quotes , Winning Quotes , Motivational Workout Quotes , Fighting Quotes

37. “ You always have to be on edge. You always have to take every practice, every game, like it is your last. ”

Also featured in: Focus Quotes , Athlete Quotes , Work Ethic Quotes , Passion Quotes , Practice Quotes

38. “ It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. ”

Also featured in: Motivational Quotes , Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes , Startup Quotes , Life Quotes , Perseverance Quotes

39. “ Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it. ”

— Steve Prefontaine

Also featured in: Persistence Quotes , Attitude Quotes , Quotes About Trying , Running Quotes

40. “ I learned all about life with a ball at my feet. ”

— Ronaldinho

Also featured in: Short Quotes , Football Quotes , Soccer Quotes

41. “ Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. ”

— Ayrton Senna

Also featured in: Victory Quotes , Competition Quotes

42. “ I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything. ”

— Michael Phelps

Also featured in: Personality Quotes , Practice Quotes , Fitness Quotes , Victory Quotes

43. “ Team spirit means you are willing to sacrifice personal considerations for the welfare of all. That defines a team player. ”

Also featured in: Coaching Quotes , Values Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Men

44. “ My brain cannot process failure. It will not process failure ”

Also featured in: Failure Quotes , Giving Up Quotes , Victory Quotes

45. “ Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another and of strength to be derived by unity. ”

Also featured in: Coaching Quotes , Teamwork Quotes

46. “ The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens. ”

Also featured in: Quotes About Strength , Work Ethic Quotes , Grit Quotes , Motivational Workout Quotes

47. “ Success is not a sometimes thing. In other words, you don’t do what is right once in awhile, but all the time. Success is a habit. Winning is a habit. ”

Also featured in: Success Quotes , Winning Quotes , Commitment Quotes

48. “ What I’m doing right now, I’m chasing perfection... and if I don’t get it, I’m going to get this close. ”

Also featured in: Dedication Quotes , Greatness Quotes , Practice Quotes

49. “ You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. ”

— Wayne Gretzky

Also featured in: Motivational Quotes , Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes , Positive Quotes , Goal Quotes , Confidence Quotes

50. “ Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion. ”

Also featured in: Confidence Quotes , Motivational Quotes for Success , Athlete Quotes , Powerful Motivational Quotes

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100 Best Sports Quotes (Inspirational, Motivational, Awesome, and Funny)

by Jub | Jan 26, 2020

Sports. The highs, the lows, the weird, the unbelievable, and everything in between. I love it!

It’s hard to get anything other than cliches out of athletes. Over time, there have been hundreds of brilliant quotes come from them like this one from Lou Piniella.

I enjoy a good sports quote, often using a motivational sports quote as a mantra for long runs. What you’ll find in this post are 100 quotes organised into categories.

The Greatest Sports Quote Of All Time Motivational Sports Quotes Inspirational Sports Quotes Funny Sports Quotes Awesome Sports Quotes Best Sports Quotes From Autobiographies I’ve Read

The Greatest Sports Quote Of All Time

1. “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela may not be a pro athlete but these words at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards (2000) in Monaco make for the greatest sports quote of all time. The full speech is below.

Motivational Sports Quotes

Motivation : the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way.

Motivational in an adjective of motivation. I mention the definition as there is a difference between motivation and inspiration. When it comes to sports quotes it’s tricky to sort them so I’ve done my best based on their definitions.

That said, you could simply think of a mantra to get you outdoors and that’ll be enough inspiration to motivate you (it’s confusing right).

2. “Passion first and everything will fall into place.” – Holly Holm

3. “But I think when we play so often in finals, I think it adds something to the game, you know, because people sometimes miss it and sometimes they don’t have it and they want it, and when they have it, they don’t want it. It’s kind of very strange how that goes.” – Roger Federer

4. “I just want people to see me as a hard-working footballer and someone who is passionate about the game.” – David Beckham

5. “I don’t have to wait for nobody, I move when I wanna move.” – Floyd Mayweather

6. “Never limit yourself, never be satisfied, and smile… It’s free!” – Jennie Finch

7. “In the end, it’s extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more than that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness, and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don’t win, how can you lose?” – Jesse Owens

8. “The time when there is no one there to feel sorry for you or to cheer for you is when a player is made.” – Tim Duncan

9. “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” – Matt Biondi

10. “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?” ― Lance Armstrong

Lance devastated the world when he confessed to cheating with drugs. But he has continued on with life, not quitting and now I really enjoy his podcast .

11. “Worrying gets you nowhere. if you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself.” – Usain Bolt

12. “I want to be a dad, first and foremost. I want to be a good father. I’ve spent so much of my life on the move and travelling around the world that just to set up a home for my family and be a good dad is something that motivates me.” – Ricky Ponting

13. “For me to get through the toughest periods in my life, I had to look within to find the energy to do it. I don’t give up. Never have. Never will.” – Jonah Lomu

14. “I met a young kid who was undergoing chemotherapy, and Dad would tell me he was on his deathbed. I called him and spoke to him and he’d been watching the races. Then seven months later he was at school, and that’s powered him through. I don’t understand it, but there is power in what we are doing, and power in families being together.” – Lewis Hamilton

15. “You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response. Your options are to complain or to look ahead and figure out how to make the situation better.” ― Tony Dungy

16. “Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.” – Shaquille O’Neal

17. “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.” – Ronnie Lott

18. “I figure practice puts your brains in your muscles.” – Sam Snead

19. “I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.” – Gale Sayers

20. “When I first came on tour, I was playing for money. Now I’m playing to win golf tournaments and the money is more than I ever dreamed I could make.” – Annika Sorenstam

21. “I train so hard to make sure failure doesn’t happen. If I do everything I can, and run as fast as I possibly can and someone still beats me, I don’t think of that as failure.” – Marion Jones

22. “I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” – Billie Jean King

23. “Moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.” ― Martina Navratilova

24. “Irrespective of whether you have the talent or not, one has to work hard. Just being talented doesn’t mean anything; you can end up wasting it before you realize.” – Virat Kohli

25. “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” – Gary Player

26. “When the mind is controlled and spirit aligned with purpose, the body is capable of so much more than we realize.” ― Rich Roll

27. “One of the greatest experiences in life is achieving personal goals that others said would be, ‘impossible to attain.’ Be proud of your success and share your story with others.” – Robert Cheeke

28. “There are no shortcuts—everything is reps, reps, reps.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

29. “I get nervous about performing 90% of the time. There’s always that little self-doubt, but I don’t let it get to me.” – Torrie Wilson

30. “Leading a healthy, active lifestyle is all about momentum. If I’m in the middle of training it’s easy for me to keep that up. It gets tough when I’m on a break. I just try to start my day with a good breakfast and a quick walk, something simple that gets the day off on the right foot. The more I do that, the more I make healthy choices that reflect the good choices made earlier.” — Natalie Coughlin

31. “You can either stick to your goals, or you can just go through the motions and rest on your status. But it’s all about work.” – Kristine Lilly

32. “When you fail you learn from the mistakes you made and it motivates you to work even harder.” – Natalie Gulbis

33. “The way I’ve been brought up to is take critiques and turn them into positives in my game.” – Alex Morgan

34. “All you can do is be your best self. I’m representing more than just me. I think every person should think that way.” – Misty Copeland

35. “Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle.” – Wilma Rudolph

ALSO ON THE BLOG: SPORTS TRAVEL BLOGGERS YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING

Inspirational Sports Quotes

Inspiration : an inspiring or animating action or influence.

As inspirational is the adjective, these inspiring quotes can influence us from the outside. Motivation is more an internal thing. Confusing huh!

36. “I am no genius; I just worked hard like my other teammates, and I believe all my teammates can win the title as they work hard, too.” – Lin Dan

37. “I could never have gotten back into my career without the undying support of my husband, who works full time at a stressful job!” – Lindsay Davenport

38. “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” – Wayne Gretsky

39. “I look into their eyes, shake their hand, pat their back, and wish them luck, but I am thinking, ‘I am going to bury you.” – Seve Ballesteros

40. “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

41. “Kill them with success and bury them with a smile.” – Usain Bolt

42. “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

43. “I’ve had to learn to fight all my life – got to learn to keep smiling. If you smile things will work out.” – Serena Williams

44. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

45. “In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda

46. “The most we can hope for is to create the best possible conditions for success, then let go of the outcome. The ride is a lot more fun that way.” ― Phil Jackson

47. “Luck? Sure. But only after long practice and only with the ability to think under pressure.” – Babe Zaharias

48. “I wouldn’t let the boys down, no way. If my arm came off I’d still play.” — Jack Bird

49. “When you lose a couple of times, it makes you realize how difficult it is to win.” – Steffi Graf

50. “It doesn’t matter where you come from and no matter where you are or who you are, you can still make it.” – Gift Ngoepe

51. “I was very against pink and purple when I was young, because they were girls’ colors. But that was only because I didn’t want people to write me off for what I can do. When I got into my 20s, I decided that was stupid.” – Danica Parick

52. “I try not to look too far ahead. I could retire as an anchor, but I see myself as always being busy, and I want that connection to sports.” – Linda Cohn

53. “Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.” ― Martina Navratilova

54. “You’re always going to be criticized to a degree. Some people didn’t like Mother Teresa as well.” – Brendan McCullum

55. “Character, character, character. First, second and third…we were pretty rusty initially. When you have a break for a few weeks you get a bit of rust.” – Graham Henry

56. “I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year. It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.” – Lionel Messi

57. “I’m always having fun in training and in boxing. I think it’s because boxing is my passion.” – Manny Pacquiao

58. “People want to project their own insecurities on others, but I refuse to allow them to put that on me. Just because you don’t think that you could be the best in the world doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t have the confidence to believe I can do anything.” ― Ronda Rousey

59. “You take a crash, you get back up and next time you succeed and that’s a great feeling.” – Shaun White

60. “I’ve had a lot of drawbacks and setbacks in my career, but no matter what anyone says about me, I’m determined to be the best skier in the world, and no one is going to stop me.” – Lindsey Vonn

61. “I think the hard part is over. Now it’s time for us to play.” — Kerri Walsh

62. “Friendships first, competition second.” – Yao Ming

This short sports quote is a principle we should all live by. I’ve always admired athletes who can ‘hate’ their opposition on the field, but as soon as the final whistle sounds can be friends and have a beer.

63. “This whole journey was never about making a roster or being on a team. It was about giving myself an opportunity. I wanted to take a risk, put myself out there and put my faith in action. Faith without action is dead. This whole journey, I’ve never felt so alive.” – Jarryd Hayne

64. “Take your victories, whatever the may be, cherish them, use them, but don’t settle for them.” – Mia Hamm

65. “Aim high and don’t sell yourself short. Know that you’re capable. Understand that a lot of people battle with a lot of things – depression, body image or whatever else – so know that it’s not just you. You’re not alone.” – Holly Holm

ALSO ON THE BLOG: INSPIRATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS

Funny Sports Quotes

These are some of the top sports quotes. Pure comedy! Some intentional, some not. Not all quotes on sports come out as intended lol.

66. “I hate saying the old cliches. I like to make my own ones up. You’ve just got to take each game as it comes.” – Cory Jane

67. “You don’t like to see hookers going down on players like that.” – Murray Mexted

68. “The drivers have one foot on the brake, one on the clutch and one on the throttle.” – Bob Varsha

69. “Statistics are like bikinis—they show a lot but not everything.” – Lou Piniella

70. “When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down and my critics can kiss my ass!” – Bob Knight

71. “For me once I go out there to America I’m pretty much representing all of New Zealand because most people haven’t met New Zealand people, so I have to take that into consideration. If I’m a dick, then they’re like New Zealand guys are dicks.” – Steve Adams

72. “I’m in trouble because I’m normal and slightly arrogant. A lot of people don’t like themselves and I happen to be totally in love with myself.” – Mike Tyson

73. “I feel like I’m the best, but you’re not going to get me to say that.” – Jerry Rice

74. “I’m glad I don’t play anymore. I could never learn all of those handshakes.” – Phil Rizzuto

75. “Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.” – Jimmy Demaret

76. “I enjoy all the oohs! and ahhs! from the gallery when I hit my drives. But I’m getting pretty tired of the awws! and uhhs! when I miss a putt.” – John Daly

ALSO ON THE BLOG: BEST EXERCISE GEAR FOR TRAVEL

Awesome Sports Quotes

These quotes from athletes could be used as inspiration or motivation, but they don’t really fit the bill imo. They are more straight awesome and show how sports plays a role in bringing the world together to learn about one another.

77. “Well, we knocked the bastard off!” – Sir Edmund Hillary

78. “I think he broke his face in the first play of the game, and then he got surgery at half-time and came back to finish the game and they won.” — Marshawn Lynch

Lynch is referring to Sam Burgess. Sam broke his jaw in the first minute of a rugby league grand final which is what Lynch is attempting to describe. Check out the video below! Rugby League is a brutal sport.

79. “When you do something good, the Argentine people really attach themselves to you. They have so many problems back there that they’re looking for somebody to be proud of. I think about that, and I won’t forget it.” – Manu Ginobili

80. “I say this a lot, but every single day I’m living a dream come true.” – Michael Phelps

81. “I wanted to get the fans pumped for the second half, so I sent this tweet: “Need two more dunks on home court for the best crowd ever! #BaylorNation.” – Brittney Griner

82. “My parents always told me to be the same person no matter if you’re No.1 in the world or No. 1000. It doesn’t matter. Always be polite and always be respectful towards others. If people don’t want to be respectful towards me I can’t do anything about it. I’m just going to smile and say ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’, but at the end of the day you can’t make everyone happy.” – Caroline Wozniacki

83. “Sports is the best means of communication between people from different religions and countries.” – Yao Ming

84. “The country is full of good coaches. What it takes to win is a bunch of interested players.” – Don Coryell

85. “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” – Knute Rockne

86. “The Spirit of Sports: The spirit of sports gives each of us who participate an opportunity to be creative. Sports knows no sex, age, race or religion. Sports gives us all the ability to test ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally in a way no other aspect of life can. For many of us who struggle with ‘fitting in’ or our identity – sports gives us our first face of confidence. That first bit of confidence can be a gateway to many other great things!” – Dan O’Brien

87. “I want to be a giving woman and just a nice person in general.” – Serena Williams

Just be a nice person. That’s what was said on my home page before the current edition was changed in mid-2017.

88. “Negativity and Hulkamania – 2 things that don’t go together.” – Hollywood Hulk Hogan

89. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.” – Muhammad Ali

90. “The one thing I said all along in the build-up (to game three when the ages of many Maroons players were heavily questioned) is you cannot buy understanding. It either exists or it doesn’t.” – Wally Lewis

91. “Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.” – Magic Johnson

92. “Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life.” – Billie Jean King

93. “My purpose is to go over there and to see if I can keep bringing sports. I’m hoping it opens doors for us.” – Dennis Rodman

Dennis is talking about North Korea here. While his visits are often controversial, in my opinion, he really is trying to do some good in the world. Nelson Mandela believes it’s possible!

94. “I believe golf can solve the worlds problems and stop war.” – Arnold Palmer

95. “I always tell kids, you have two eyes and one mouth. Keep two open and one closed. You never learn anything if you’re the one talking.” – Gordie Howe

96. “After what I did yesterday, you feel quite embarrassed … It was a very weird, surreal feeling this morning,” – Ernie Els

This was the day after Ernie Els six-putted the first green at The Masters. Even the best in the world can do things amateurs assumed was impossible.

97. “Fans still talk about my big white scrunchie, which became iconic in its own right. I loved that scrunchie and its little sparkles that Peggy glued on herself. Without my scrunchie, I wouldn’t have felt ready to compete. (Yes, I still have it.)” ― Shannon Miller

ALSO ON THE BLOG: VISITING CAMP NOU: HOME OF BARCELONA F.C.

Best Sports Quotes From Autobiographies I’ve Read**

In addition to watching sports, I like to read sports autobiographies (and memoirs) from people inside the sports industry. I’m always highlighting bits and pieces of what I like when reading. Below are a few that I want to share in this list.

98. “Three hundred and eighty matches a year. And I loved it. I couldn’t get enough of it.” – Ric Flair in To Be The Man

99. “At this level, with so many physical talents all capable of doing the same things, the mental side was the separator.” – Dirk Hayhurst in Bigger Then The Game

100. “I continued to call every week until I finally caught him. I think it’s safe to say that this is where I began to learn that persistence pays off.” – Justin Roberts in Best Seat In The House

101. “Nothing is every predetermined. It’s a constant reminder to work hard, stay focused and never believe that your future is assured.” – Tim Cahill

102. “It didn’t matter what obstacle was in front of us, we’d always carry on to the end. ‘Foxes never quit’ is the slogan above the tunnel at the King Power Stadium, and we followed that to the letter.” – Jamie Vardy

103. “The sportsman has something special inside of him that takes over in difficult situations. I was driven on by the desire, the passion, the feeling, and the pride of being a footballer.” – Andre Iniesta

104. “We all come from the same kind of families, that struggled and fought. And if you bring together people whose mentalities and experiences are the same, whose obsessions are shared, you have a big advantage.” – Luis Suarez

105. “In every game you play you face players also trying their best to win and to fulfil their own lifelong ambitions and dreams. As much as you try, sometimes things go wrong. There are things that are beyond our control. That’s why we always have to be physically and mentally prepared to the best of our ability, because when it’s your turn, you have to give all you can. And you may never get another chance.” – Neymar Jr.

106. “It’s crucial to me that if I can personally change something, that’s what I’ll do. But with actions, not by talking big. I know that my visit didn’t make the world a better place, and it would be naïve to think so. But I’m proud to have given those children a brief moment of happiness.” – Mesut Ozil

107. “It is only natural that you will be disappointed when you make a mistake. But you cannot allow the negativity to consume you, just as you cannot get too excited when you have had a special game or pulled off a great save. They are just two sides of the same coin and sometimes the coin goes for you and on other occasions, it goes against you.” – Pepe Reina

108. “In order to pass through such a narrow gate, it is important to have a clear vision of how you’re going to reach a higher standard from an early stage in your development. How far you go depends to a large extent on how high you set your goal as well as the actions you take to reach it.” – Maya Yoshida

** will update this section from time to time

I’ve never been fond of cheesy quotes about travel. Yet I can apply pretty much all the above quotes to many of my past journeys and ones I will have going forward.

What is the most relatable sports quote for you?

19 Comments

Hi Jub, Great thanks for sharing top sport quotes?? I love Nelson Mandela’s sports quote. It is the truth that motivational sports quote work as a mantra for long runs ?

Hey Sharon,

Thanks for reading. I was using Lance Armstrongs quote as my mantra yesterday. PAIN IS TEMPORARY! Jub

I love Knute Rockne quote “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” this is so true.

Hey Alwayne, Yeap, he is a bit of a boss with that quote. It’s the same principle in some many things in life. 50 locals might throw there rubbish out the window here in India, but I’ll hold mine until I find a bin. Safe travels. Jub

Love this list. Thanks for putting it together!

So many of the quotes resonate, but Gary Player’s is short, pithy, and timeless: “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”

Maybe now more than ever, it’s tough to remember that even overnight successes rarely really happen overnight.

Good stuff!

So true. It’s annoying, as time is a weird concept. does time really exist? Not really…but rar, let’s stop this rabbit whole and put in the practice haha. Cheers, Jub

Thanks for great quotes, Jub. Many people don’t like Mike Tyson but not me :). So I love his quote “I’m in trouble because I’m normal and slightly arrogant. A lot of people don’t like themselves and I happen to be totally in love with myself.”

Hey Matthew,

Love how you’re different! Mike is defo one of a kind, I’m a fan…I think haha.

Cheers, Jub

I’m looking for a quote that goes something like this” most players think that a big game requires an extra dose of adrenalin, when actually the opposite is true”. It may have been penned by Dirk Hayhurst

Hey James, I just took a search of the Dirk Hayhurst book I have and it’s not in there (searched with Kindle).

No idea sorry. Jub

thanks for sharing…

This is so much true: “I always tell kids, you have two eyes and one mouth. Keep two open and one closed. You never learn anything if you’re the one talking.”

I always believe that we should always focus on learning & listening more than speaking & showcasing.

Thanks for sharing.

Haha I like that one. Very obvious what it means!

Thank you for sharing motivational sports quotes, I really enjoyed all of them.

Its an incredible collection… Thanks for sharing with us 🙂

Wow, great job. So many useful quotes. It will be very helpful for us, so I’m going to save it and use it. Thanks for sharing.

It’s not so important who starts the game, but who finishes it.” -John Wooden

Loved this compilation of the 100 best sports quotes! It’s an incredible mix of inspiration, motivation, and humor, perfect for athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. The quotes from legends across various sports really resonate, whether you’re gearing up for a game or needing a pick-me-up during training. Great selection!

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Heyya, Jub here.

I hope Tiki Touring Kiwi isn't making your day too miserable.

If you ever spot a man with a cat shirt and a beard, it's probably me :)

• Essay Quotations

Sports and Games Essay Quotations

Updated at Oct 08, 2023 | by Admin

"A sound body has a sound mind" -Thales

"Sport is a preserver of health" -Keats

"Sports are microcosm of society" -Billie Jean King

"Sport is the greatest physical poetry" -Joe Philips

"To be the man, you have to beat the man" -Ric Flair

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -Proverb

"Sweat plus sacrifice equals success" -Charles O. Finley

"If you can accept losing, you can’t win" -Vince Lombardi

"Pain is only temporary but victory is forever" -Jeremy H.

"Winners never quit and quitters never win" -Vince Lombardi

"You can’t win unless you learn to lose" -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it" -Heywood Broun

"A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever" -Mary Lou Retton

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is" -Vince Lombardi

"It is more difficult to stay on top than to get there" -Mia Hamm

"Champions keep playing until they get it right" -Billie Jean King

"Never let a win get to your head, or a loss to your heart" -Chuck D

"To find a man’s true character, play golf with him" -P. G. Wodehouse

"Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed" -LeBron James

"The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose" -Ernie Banks

"If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play at it, it’s recreation" -Bop hope

"I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat" -Tom Landry

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it" -Knute Rockne

"Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears" -Laird Hamilton

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it" -Knute Rockne

"Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play" -Mike Singletary

"It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters" -Paul “Bear” Bryant

"Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They are made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts" -Dan Gable

"The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit" -Ken Doherty

"Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss" -Doug Williams

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1.”the only way to do great work is to love what you do. if you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. don’t settle.” – steve jobs, 2. “the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – jimmy johnson, 3. “the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – vidal sassoon, 4. “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – lao tzu, 5. “the only way to fail is to give up” – michael jordan.

Picture of Michael Jordan at a basketball game.. Joshua Massel. Cropped by en:User:Quadzilla99 , CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

6. “The Only One Who Can Tell You ‘You Can’t Win’ Is You And You Don’t Have To Listen”—Jessica Ennis-Hill

Jessica Ennis-Hill. Erik van Leeuwen , GFDL , via Wikimedia Commons

7. “I’d Rather Regret The Risks That Didn’t Work Out Than The Chances I Didn’t Take At All” —Simone Biles

Simone Biles. Agência Brasil Fotografias , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

8. “The Only Way To Prove That You’re A Good Sport Is To Lose” —Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks 1969. Jewel Tea via tradingcarddb.com , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

9. “One Man Practicing Sportsmanship Is Far Better Than 50 Preaching It” —Knute Rockne

10. “i just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and i did it” —gertrude ederle.

Gertrude Ederle. Bain News Service, publisher , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

11. “Overpower. Overtake. Overcome” —Serena Williams

Serena Williams. Christian Mesiano , CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

12. “The Five S’s Of Sports Training Are: Stamina, Speed, Strength, Skill, and Spirit; But The Greatest of These Is Spirit” —Ken Doherty

13. “an athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. he must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head” —emil zatopek, 14. “somebody gives you an opportunity, say yes to it. so what if you fail you won’t know if you fail or succeed unless you try” —ann meyers.

Ann Meyers. Gage Skidmore , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

15. “The Hardest Skill To Acquire In This Sport Is The One Where You Compete All Out, Give It All You Have, And You Are Still Getting Beat No Matter What You Do. When You Have The Killer Instinct To Fight Through That, It Is Very Special” —Eddie Reese

Eddie Reese 1988. File:1988 US Olympic swim team coaches.jpg , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

16. “Make Sure Your Worst Enemy Doesn’t Live Between Your Own Two Ears” —Laird Hamilton

17. “what makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose” —andre agassi.

Andre Agassi (2005). Wikigo , CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

18. “You Win Some, You Lose Some, And Some Get Rained Out, But You Gotta Suit Up For Them All” —J. Askenberg

19. “always work hard, never give up, and fight until the end because it’s never really over until the whistle blows” —alex morgan.

Alex Morgan. Erik Drost , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

20. “I Believe In The Impossible Because No One Else Does” —Florence Griffith Joyner

Florence Griffith Joyner. All the photographs are in the public domain and may be credited “Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library. , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

21. “Many Times, I Had To Dig Deep And Perform. All Of That Adversity Helped Me And Drove Me To Want To Be The Best” —Hayley Wickenheiser

Hayley Wickenheiser. Tricia Hall , CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

22. “Courage, Sacrifice, Determination, Commitment, Toughness, Heart, Talent, Guts. That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of; The Heck With Sugar And Spice” —Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton. Spoungeworthy at English Wikipedia , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

23. “Age Is No Barrier. It’s A Limitation You Put On Your Mind” —Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Olympian and activist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Senior Airman Tara Stetler , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

24. “A Trophy Carries Dust. Memories Last Forever” —Mary Lou Retton

25. “you’ve got to be confident when you’re competing. you’ve got to be a beast” —gabby douglas.

Gabby Douglas. Agência Brasil Fotografias , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

26. “It’s Going To Be A Journey. It’s Not A Sprint To Get In Shape” —Kerri Walsh Jennings

Kerri Walsh Jennings. BrokenSphere , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

27. “Passion First And Everything Will Fall Into Place” —Holly Holm

Holly Holm. Mike Jackson, “Mike The Truth” , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

28. “Somewhere Behind The Athlete You’ve Become And The Hours Of Practice And The Coaches Who Have Pushed You Is A Little Girl Who Fell In Love With The Game And Never Looked Back… Play For Her” —Mia Hamm

29. “you were born to be a player. you were meant to be here. this moment is yours” —herb brooks, 30. “you can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. but both those methods are only temporary. the only lasting thing is self-motivation” —homer rice, 31.  “once you give them the power to tell you you’re great, you’ve also given them the power to tell you you’re unworthy. once you start caring about people’s opinions of you, you give up control” —ronda rousey, 32. “my motto was always to keep swinging. whether i was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging” —hank aaron, 33. “the ability to conquer one’s self is no doubt the most precious of all things that sports bestow” —olga korbut.

Olga Korbut 1988. Richard Kendzierski , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

34. “There Is Always Going To Be A Reason Why You Can’t Do Something; Your Job Is To Constantly Look For The Reasons Why You Can Achieve Your Dreams” —Shannon Miller

35. “you can’t always be the best. you have to remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes” —aly raisman, 36. “you control your own wins and losses” —maria sharapova.

Maria Sharapova. si.robi , CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

37. “You Must Not Only Have Competitiveness But Ability, Regardless Of The Circumstance You Face, To Never Quit” —Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach. Jay , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

38. “Just Believe In Yourself. Even If You Don’t Pretend That You Do And, At Some Point, You Will” —Venus Williams

Venus Williams. Tatiana from Moscow, Russia , CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

39. “I Always Felt That My Greatest Asset Was Not My Physical Ability, It Was My Mental Ability” —Bruce Jenner

40. “don’t be afraid of failure. this is the way to succeed” —lebron james.

LeBron James. Erik Drost , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

41. “You Dream. You Plan. You Reach. There Will Be Obstacles. There Will Be Doubters. There Will Be Mistakes. But With Hard Work, With Belief, With Confidence And Trust In Yourself And Those Around You, There Are No Limits.” —Michael Phelps

42. “if something stands between you and your success, move it. never be denied” —dwayne “the rock” johnson.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Sgt. Valerie C. Eppler , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

43. “You’re Playing A Game, Whether It’s Little League or Game 7 Of The World Series. It’s Impossible To Do Well Unless You’re Having A Good Time. People Talk About Pressure. Yeah, There’s Pressure. But I Just Look At It As Fun” —Derek Jeter

44. “winners never quit and quitters never win” —vince lombardi, 45. “believe me; the reward is not so great without the struggle” —wilma rudolph.

Wilma Rudolph 1960. Henk Lindeboom / Anefo , CC BY-SA 3.0 NL , via Wikimedia Commons

46. “Sports Serve Society By Providing Vivid Examples Of Excellence.” —George F. Will

47. “you are never really playing an opponent. you are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is a real joy” —arthur ashe.

Arthur Ashe. Los Angeles Daily News UnknownUnknown — Photos in the Los Angeles Daily News collection at the UCLA library are from the newspaper of that name that existed from 1923 to 1954. This is more likely to be from the Los Angeles Times. , CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

48. “If You Can’t Outplay Them, Outwork Them” —Ben Hogan

49. “even while they teach, men learn” —seneca the younger, 50. “it is action that creates motivation” —steve backley, 51. “leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you” —eddie robinson, 52. “in a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. so rather than thinking, oh, i’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow” —carol dweck, 53. “i’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat” —tom landry, 54. “i became a good pitcher when i stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it” —sandy koufax, 55. “the difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination” —tommy lasorda, 56. “do you know what my favorite part of the game is the opportunity to play” —mike singletary, 57. “being nervous is not something you should be ashamed of. nervous means you care, you really want to do well” —paula creamer, 58. “persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement” —matt biondi, 59. “one man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team” —kareem abdul-jabbar, 60. “i hated every minute of training, but i said, don’t quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion” —muhammad ali, 61. “they say discipline and dedication and respect are the key factors, but patience is a virtue that is absolutely essential” —ria ramnarine, 62. “you should never stay at the same level. always push yourself to the next” —marnelli dimzon, 63. “persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement” —marv levy, 64. “it’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. it’s the will to prepare to win that matters” —paul “bear” bryant, 65. “champions keep playing until they get it right” —billie jean king, 66. “the principle is competing against yourself. it’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before” —steve young, 67. “i never left the field saying i could have done more to get ready and that gives me peace of mind” —peyton manning, 68. “if you think you’re done, you always have at least 40 percent more” —lauren crandall, 69. “i always try to start out with some type of goal. then i work backward and think of what i need to do to get there and give myself smaller goals that are more immediate” —kristi yamaguchi, 70. “you have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. the bad days make you realize what a good day is. if you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment” —aly raisman.

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Hamisi comes from a storytelling childhood and finds joy in weaving narratives that resonate greatly with his audience. Fascinated by the intricacies of mind and universe, his passion has seen him write compelling articles ranging from sport, history and culture, to the fascinating world of health, science and technology. He played field hockey when in high school and had the opportunity to represent Kenya internationally. Some of the sportsmen that inspire him are Maradona (Football), Jonah Lomu (Rugby) Peter Akatsa (Hockey), and Michael Jordan (Basketball).

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