"Sportsmanship is making sure you have respect for the guy you're playing across from."
About Warren Moon
Warren Moon, a groundbreaking figure in professional football, is celebrated as the first Black quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His journey from the Canadian Football League to the NFL not only redefined expectations for Black athletes but also highlighted the importance of resilience and leadership in sports. Moon's philosophy centers on the idea that success is built on overcoming adversity. He famously stated, 'You can't be afraid to fail,' a reflection of his own experiences facing skepticism and discrimination throughout his career. This mindset shaped his approach to both the game and life, emphasizing that preparation and hard work are vital in achieving one's goals. His quotes resonate with many, as they encapsulate the struggles and triumphs of his journey. Moon's belief in the power of perseverance is evident in his insistence that obstacles are opportunities for growth. Today, his insights continue to inspire athletes and leaders alike, reminding them that true success lies in resilience and the ability to uplift others along the way.
Quote collection
16 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Sportsmanship is making sure you have respect for the guy you're playing across from."
"Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler and I used to argue for hours about who the best athletes are. I thought football players were better overall."
"My legacy isn't about what I did playing football, but how I use the opportunities that came from playing football."
"It was about being wanted, it was about winning, and it was about my passion for the game. I just loved it. I absolutely loved to compete and to step out onto that football field with my teammates."
"I was always geared towards either wanting to finish number one or be number one as far as the best player that I could be, or be the best player at my position in the league. I wanted that to be a constant reminder to my teammates that they looked to their leader who is wearing that number, this is what you should strive for as well."
"Even though my mother had told me growing up that, 'If you win, nobody cares what color you are,' that wasn't necessarily true in the N.F.L."
"Basketball players want contact to get a foul called. Slaps on the wrist and bumps on the shoulder are big time to them, and they don't like that. In football, you get that all the time. The whole mental makeup is different."
"Throughout my career, I was never able to relax; I always had to go on the field with another responsibility. I felt like I was playing, not just for my team, but for my race."
"To me, being in your prime means playing your best and feeling your best, too."
"That was probably one of the things that if I look back at my career and say what is something I would try and do a little bit differently, I’d try and be a little bit more loose playing the game. Have a little more fun doing it."
"Kids tend to look up to sports figures and entertainers, probably more than they should, but I've tried to use that in a positive way."
"I'm about a 160, 170 bowler so I feel like I'm pretty good - I'm average, but I don't stink, you know?"
"I love basketball players for what they do for their size - so graceful."
"I'm proud of the fact that besides being known as a successful former football player, I've also worked hard to establish myself as a successful businessman, network broadcaster, sports & entertainment executive and philanthropist."
"Quarterback is not a position that you come in having not played it your whole life."
"In football, it's the ultimate team sport. You have to have good people around you as a quarterback for things to happen."