We are in the business of creating motivational signs and products for athletic departments all over the country. Over the years we have come across many great motivational sports quotes and decided to compile a list of the top 30 quotes we have seen. We hope you take a moment to remember the wisdom of these great coaches and athletes and keep them in mind when you’re looking for a motivational quote or message to use to encourage your team.
1. “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.”
– Knute Rockne
2. “Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss.”
– Doug Williams
3. “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”
– Matt Biondi
4. “Football doesn’t build character, it reveals character.”
– Marv Levy
5. “It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”
– Paul“Bear” Giant
6. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”
– Tommy Lasorda
7. “If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.”
– Mark Spitz
8. “One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.”
– Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
9. “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
– Arnold Palmer
10. “To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them.”
– Picabo Street
11. “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.”
– Ronnie Lott
12. “What do do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.”
– Dean Smith
13. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’”
– Muhammad Ali
14. “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?”
– Joe Namath
15. “The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.”
– Joe Paterno
16. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
– Babe Ruth
17. “There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between.”
– Pat Riley
18. “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.”
– Jack Dempsey
19. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
– Michael Jordan
20. “You’re never a loser until you quit trying.”
– Mike Ditka
21. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”
– Vince Lombardi
22. “Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first step to succeeding.”
– Jim Valvano
23. “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
– Wayne Gretzky
24.“When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important then the name on the back.”
– Unknown
25.“There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory.”
– Unkown
26. “You said we’re a team. One person struggles, we all struggle. One person triumphs, we all triumph.”
– Coach Carter
27. “Pain is what makes winning so great.”
– Unknown
28. “Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.”
– Bill Bowerman
29. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
– Michael Phelps
30. “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
– Bobby Unser
Team Fitz knows what you need for your gym, locker room and other athletic facilities to motivate and get the best performance from your players and fans. We specialize in creating custom motivational signs, banners, flags, athlete recognition and record boards. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you motivate your team, 855.356.8550.