American Sports Figure Quotes

I'm an unorthodox type of guy, a funny guy - at least I think I'm funny. And one of the things I like to do is come up with nicknames for myself.

Shaquille O'Neal

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.

I will not quit until I am a five-times world champion.

After defeating Lou Savarese

Evander Holyfield

We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do [...] We're not just athletes, we're people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.

On withdrawing from competition at Tokyo Olympics

In a team sport like basketball, every time you help somebody else, you help yourself.

Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions. There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.

[Sports] provides a wonderful opportunity for initiating acquaintance. Regardless of the degree of our civilization, people still thrill to physical combat and admire the man who excels. He who is of proven merit in the field of major sports has shown to all that he is possessed of strength, vigor, stamina, and courage. The great majority of people want to know such a man... How well I have taken advantage of the football reputation it was my good fortune to gain is for others to judge, but I personally am very thankful for the whole experience and the fun and friends it has brought me.

When Fernando [Lamas] proposed to me, he said, 'Let me take you away from all this.' And I said, 'Away from all what? I'm a movie star!'

Esther Williams

The Golf Hall of Fame is full of players with unusual looking swings. Some of the prettiest swings you've ever seen in your life are made on the far end of the public driving range by guys who couldn't break an egg with a baseball bat.

Larry Bird is overrated in a lot of areas.... Why does he get so much publicity? Because he's white. You never hear about a black player being the greatest.

No matter how strong a condom is, it won't protect you from a broken heart.

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The basketball is a tool that the black [man] has now, same as maybe once he had a plow. He can use it to make something of himself and make a life for his children.

I liked challenging people and making them uncomfortable. That's what leads to introspection and that's what leads to improvement. You could say I dared people to be their best selves.

As a competitive gymnast, my life has always been filled with challenges that would ultimately define my future. From day one, I was taught to be prepared at all costs.

Dominique Moceanu

I got the rebound and he tackled me. I know this is Sunday, but this is the wrong field.

At its most basic root, the death or disintegration of one's parents is a harsh reminder of one's own mortality.

On his reception by other players when he returned from retirement to an All-Star game:

It was the first game ever called on account of hugs.

I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body.

Winston Bennett

It's the mind that makes everything else work.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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.

New Yorkers love it when you spill your guts out there. Spill your guts at Wimbledon and they make you stop and clean it up.

At Flushing Meadow

Karma is the universal law of cause and effect. You reap what you sow. You get what you earn. You are what you eat. If you give love, you get love. Revenge returns itself upon the avenger.

You create shots for yourself by what you do without the ball more than what you do after you get it