20 Quotes From Football Legends to Help Take Your Game to the Next Level

Start pre-gaming for the Super Bowl early with this list of inspired utterings from some of the sport’s greats.

By Matt Mayberry | edited by Dan Bova | Dec 28, 2016
Superbowl

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In honor of one of the biggest sporting events of the year — the Super Bowl — I thought it was extremely fitting to compile some of my favorite football quotes and share them with you to help take your game to the next level. Whether it be a legendary coach or player, these individuals have exemplified the true characteristics of what it takes to be a winner.

Related: You Can Do Super Bowl Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

1. “When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.” — Walter Payton

2. “Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” — Lou Holtz

3. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge — but rather in a lack of will.” — Vince Lombardi

4. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog.” — Archie Griffin

5. “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” — Tom Landry

6. “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” — George Hallas

7. “There are only three things you should ever do about a mistake: Admit it, learn from it, don’t repeat it.” — Bear Bryant

8. “Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.” — Bill Belichick

9. “Winning is what happens when commitment, desire, talent, preparation, hard work and leadership all come together.” — Tom Coughlin

10. “Humble enough to prepare, confident enough to perform.” — Tom Coughlin

Related: 10 Inspirational Quotes on Leadership From the NFL’s Greatest Coaches

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

12. “Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence. If you’re in control, they’re in control.” — Tom Landry

13. “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” — Vince Lombardi

14. “If football taught me anything about business, it is that you win the game one play at a time.” — Frank Tarkenton

15. “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” — Jerry Rice

16. “Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.” — John Madden

17. “You are never a loser until you quit trying.” — Mike Ditka

18. “Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.” — Mark Levy

19. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” — Jimmy Johnson

20. “The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others.” — Don Shula

Related: Squarespace Is Going All in With a Super Bowl Ad Starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele

In honor of one of the biggest sporting events of the year — the Super Bowl — I thought it was extremely fitting to compile some of my favorite football quotes and share them with you to help take your game to the next level. Whether it be a legendary coach or player, these individuals have exemplified the true characteristics of what it takes to be a winner.

Related: You Can Do Super Bowl Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

1. “When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.” — Walter Payton

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

Subscribe Now

Already have an account? Sign In

Matt Mayberry

Speaker and Maximum Performance Strategist. CEO of Matt Mayberry Enterprises at Matt Mayberry Enterprises
A former NFL linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Matt Mayberry is currently a keynote speaker, peak-performance strategist and writer. As the CEO of Matt Mayberry Enterprises, a training and consulting company, he specializes in maximizing the performance of individuals and organizations all over the world. He published his first book, Winning Plays, in 2016. You...

Related Content