20th-century Sports Figure Quotes

But not so odd
As those who choose
A Jewish God,
But spurn the Jews.

I have had a couple of options through my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation because of the feeling I had for my hometown club. It might be something I regret down the line for not challenging myself and experiencing another country but I would have had an even bigger regret leaving Liverpool. I had a great admiration for Madrid but for me Liverpool is my No 1 club.

You always expect to do well at a club like this in big competitions and we haven't done that. That is a disappointment to the newcomers like me who haven't tasted success here and also to those who've been here longer and won things in the past. We have to address that.

Edwin van der Sar

Of course! We have a great team, great players, and in football, it's everything possible.

Everyone works hard when they want to, when they get quick results, when it's convenient to put forth effort. The best work hard when they don't want to, when it's inconvenient to give it that little extra effort... and that extra effort might be just what they need to place them on top.

They're gonna write that I'm a fag and the people is gonna believe it

Juan Román Riquelme

I have come to understand that every day is something to cherish.

In the west, we have probably hit peak stuff. We talk about peak oil. I'd say we've hit peak red meat, peak sugar, peak stuff… peak home furnishings.

Football gives the African people hope, a true motivation for their life.

Marcel Desailly

Be the mountain / be the ocean / be the tree / be happy / be the light / be the shadow / be the rain / be you / be

I'm going back to my tour where I belong. The attention was more than I expected. The golf course wasn't a problem. It was just the things around it. All the preparation I've done in the last month weighed on me.

Annika Sörenstam

On his Caucasian, Black American, American Indian, Thai, and Chinese ancestry:

Growing up, I came up with this name: I'm a "Cablinasian."

You build a golf game like you build a wall, one brick at a time.

I have found the game to be, in all factualness, a universal language wherever I traveled at home or abroad.

In my opinion, no young player can develop his or her game to its highest potential if he or she rides around the course in a golf cart.

Faith is a gateway to happiness that remains permanently accessible to each of us, wherever we are, no matter our circumstances.

Mary Lou Retton

Strength and conditioning are the keys to good performance and longevity in gymnastics.

Suzanne Yoculan

Even before you step up to the ball, have a full battle plan for the hole worked out.

Winning doesn't come cheaply … you have to pay a big price.

Jeev Milkha Singh

Some of us are fortunate enough to play championship golf, but this isn't essential in the enjoyment of the game.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Golf is like a love affair. If you don't take it seriously, it's no fun. If you do take it seriously, it will break your heart.

The player who expects a lesson to 'take' without subsequent practice just isn't being honest with himself or fair to his professional.

Golf puts a man's character on the anvil and his richest qualities—patience, poise, restraint—to the flame.

Golf without Jones would be like France without Paris: leaderless, lightless and lonely.

Herbert Warren Wind

Golf is the most brilliant game ever invented! What other game could turn seemingly intelligent and sane people into complete lunatics in a matter of seconds?

Jesper Parnevik