The Best Sports Quotes of All Time

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Personalities sometimes have original, profound or insightful ways of getting their points across in sports-related quotes. Now and then, you’ll hear a pearl of wisdom uttered by a sports personality relating to a type of sport. In alphabetical order according to sporting types, here are some of the best sports quotes of all time.

1. Athletics Quotes

“It wasn’t my best event…” — Carl Lewis.

Lewis described himself as a long jumper after breaking the 100-meter world record at the IAAF World Championships in Tokyo. Scary.

“I have dedicated my life to the 200 meters. I really love the 200 meters a lot.” — Usain Bolt.

Bolt takes a little out of Lewis’s book after shattering the 100-meter world record at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“Nothing is going to be handed to you — you have to make things happen.” — Florence Griffith Joyner.

Considered one of the fastest women of all time, Flo-Jo attributed the above quote to her mother while she was still living with her family in lower-income Los Angeles, California. With two 200-meter world records and another in the 100 meters to her name, she made it happen.

2. Baseball Quotes

“Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.” — Yogi Berra.

The profound Mr. Berra sure had his fair share of unforgettable quotes, including this one and the remarkably wise, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Without baseball, he could surely have been a politician.

“There’s no crying in baseball!” — Jimmy Dugan.

Alright, so it’s a movie quote. It’s a classic, though, uttered by the Tom Hanks character in “A League of Their Own,” after taking over the women’s baseball team, the Rockford Peaches, when the MLB stars left to fight in WWII.

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

1942 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Hornsby, clearly had some long, cold, frozen winters.

3. Basketball Quotes

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

As the NBA’s all-time leading rebounder, the 7 feet, 1 inch Hall-of-Famer, Chamberlain, came closer to perfection than many others. He likely put in a fair share of practice, though.

“The only difference between a good shot and a bad shot is if it goes in or not.” — Charles Barkley.

You must wonder whether “Sir Charles” thinks the same about hitting or standing.

“You can’t be afraid to fail. It’s the only way you succeed — you’re not gonna succeed all the time, and I know that.” — LeBron James.

A pure sports motivational quote from the man who’s seen more success than most. It’s worth noting this one for the next time you’re scared to try.

4. Boxing Quotes

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t.” — Muhammad Ali.

Famously spoken before the legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight between Ali and George Foreman in Zaire — Ali could have walked on water back then. He knocked Foreman out in round eight.

“Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouth.” — Mike Tyson.

Attributed to “Iron Mike” before his 1987 bout with Tyrell Biggs, who had spoken about his plan to keep Tyson at bay with his jab and reach. Biggs would suffer his first professional defeat via a 7th-round TKO.

“Ali even told me in the ring, ‘You can’t beat me – I’m your Lord.’ I just told him, ‘Lord, you’re in the wrong place tonight.” — Joe Frazier

After their much-publicized “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in 1971, “Smokin’ Joe” revealed some in-ring banter between the two previously unbeaten legends. Frazier handed Muhammad Ali the first career loss with a unanimous points decision over 15 gruelling rounds.

5. Football Quotes

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

Landry, the legendary head coach who led the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in seven seasons, shares his secret to success with this sports inspirational quote.

“When you lose, talk little. When you win, talk less.” — Tom Brady.

With seven Super Bowls, Brady clearly had little to say during his playing days. He’s made up for it since then from behind the microphone.

“You got one guy going boom, one guy going whack, and one guy not getting in the endzone.” — John Madden.

As a head coach, Madden never had a losing season in over 100 NFL games. With his boom-whack defensive strategy, that should be no surprise. Gamers should try that when they tackle the EA Sports Madden NFL video games series, to which he lent his name, voice and creativity.  

6. Formula One Quotes

“Anything can happen in Grand Prix Racing, and it usually does.” — Murray Walker.

A doozy from the late F1 king of commentary. There’s truth to the quote, though. Think of when another late great, Ayrton Senna, crashed out in Monaco in 1988 when leading the race by over a minute from Alain Prost. You can surely think of other incidents — guarantees in F1? Never.

“F1 needs Ferrari much more than Ferrari needs F1.” – Toto Wolff.

This statement may have surprised you, coming from the mouth of the Mercedes team principal. The “Prancing Horse” has competed in every Grand Prix since 1950, participating in 1,108 races. With Charles LeClerc driving one on and off the track and many other celebs and hordes of Tifosi supporting the popular brand, Ferrari is an institution that the FIA should best keep around.

“We win and lose together.” – Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion describes the principle of teamwork well, no matter what team sport you’re competing in. 

7. Golf Quotes

“You drive for show and putt for dough.” — Bobby Locke.

If you’re a golfer, you’ve likely heard this one often. The revered Sam Snead described Locke as the greatest putter he’d ever seen — and an excellent tip is to concentrate on your short game first —but do you think Bryson DeChambeau would agree with this quote?

“Keep your sense of humor. There’s enough stress in the rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game you’re supposed to enjoy.” — Amy Alcott.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Alcott offers some advice to us all. Whether playing for a living or some casual weekend enjoyment, don’t let a trip to the rough get to you.

“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course — the distance between your ears.” — Bobby Jones.

Jones won the last of his seven major tournaments in 1930. It’s incredible how what he said back then hasn’t changed — it’s all in your mind.

8. Soccer Quotes

“I once cried because I had no shoes to play football with my friends, but one day I saw a man who had no feet, and I realized how rich I am.” — Zinedine Zidane.

An appreciation of good fortune and success from the French 1998 FIFA World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, even though he’s also had moments to forget on the field.

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.” — Bill Shankly.

The manager who made Liverpool great says something every soccer season ticket holder identifies with. 

“I think soccer is a great game because it brings people together. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what language you speak, soccer unites everyone.” — Marco Van Basten. 

Whether it’s on the streets of Rio De Janeiro or in the 78,000 seater Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, the Dutch great has the sentiment right. Next year in the United States, the feeling will be precisely the same for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Great Sports Stars Say Wise, Wonderful and Weird Things

Some sports quotes stand the test of time, from athletics and baseball to golf and soccer. Others don’t, and slip by unnoticed — you either laugh, facepalm or draw inspiration from those that catch and keep your attention. That you identify with many means there’s something more to a sports personality than just an iconic figure competing in a stadium, driving a racing car or appearing on TV.