The 30 Greatest Motivational Sports Quotes Of All-Time

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Sporting success isn’t always something that’s easy to attain. However, after you’ve read the motivational sports quotes in this article you’ll be well set to awaken your inner sporting ambition and learn valuable life lessons.

If you’re looking for motivation and inspiration, the following motivational sports quotes will surely stir up a passion inside of you, and maybe even start a fire. It’s all about growing your sporting ambition and passion for the game. 

These quotes can teach you a lot of things, including:

  • Insight into different aspects of sports.
  • How you can inspire yourselves and others.
  • How to overcome your sporting insecurities and get out of your comfort zone
  • How to face your challenges head on.

These sports motivational quotes can be used as daily affirmations and reminders, or as motivational posters on your wall. They’ll remind you about the sports you love and help to get you up and moving so you can reap the benefits of being active.

The All-Time Greatest Motivational Sports Quotes

These are some of the all-time greatest motivational sports quotes. Hopefully you’ll find one or two that inspire you in your chosen sport!

#1 

“I just want people to see me as a hard-working footballer and someone who is passionate about the game.” – David Beckham

Sports quote number 1

#2

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose – it teaches you about life.” – Billie Jean King

Sports quote number 2

#3

“Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.” – Shaquille O’Neal

Sports quote number 3

#4

“I don’t have to wait for nobody, I move when I wanna move.” – Floyd Mayweather 

Sports quote number 4

#5

“I’ve had to learn to fight all my life – got to learn to keep smiling. If you smile, things will work out.” – Serena Williams

Sports quote number 5

#6

“My purpose is to go over there and to see if I can keep bringing sports. I’m hoping it opens doors for us.” – Dennis Rodman

Sports quote number 6

#7

“In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda

Sports quote number 7

Powerful and Positive Sports Quotes

After a sporting loss or training setback, it can sometimes be difficult to get back on your feet. At such moments, some positive sports quotes may be just what you need to get out of a bad headspace and back on track.

The following quotes aim to do just that!

#1

“The way I’ve been brought up to is take critiques and turn them into positives in my game.” – Alex Morgan

Sports quote number 1

#2

“I’ve had a lot of drawbacks and setbacks in my career, but no matter what anyone says about me, I’m determined to be the best skier in the world, and no one is going to stop me.” – Lindsey Vonn

Sports quote number 2

#3

“I believe golf can solve the world’s problems and stop war.” – Arnold Palmer 

Sports quote number 3

#4

“I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” – Billie Jean King

Sports quote number 4

#5

“When I first came on tour, I was playing for money. Now I’m playing to win golf tournaments and the money is more than I ever dreamed I could make.” – Annika Sorenstam

Sports quote number 5

#6

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?” ― Lance Armstrong

Sports quote number 6

#7

“Negativity and Hulkamania – 2 things that don’t go together.” – Hollywood Hulk Hogan

Sports quote number 7

#8

“In every game, you play you face players also trying their best to win and to fulfill their own lifelong ambitions and dreams. As much as you try, sometimes things go wrong. There are things that are beyond our control. That’s why we always have to be physically and mentally prepared to the best of our ability, because when it’s your turn, you have to give all you can. And you may never get another chance.” – Neymar Jr.

Sports quote number 8

The Top Sporting Inspiration Quotes

These inspiring quotes for sports can help you through whatever challenge is in front of you, keeping you on track to smash your goals.

#1

“I look into their eyes, shake their hand, pat their back, and wish them luck, but I am thinking, ‘I am going to bury you.” – Seve Ballesteros

Sports quote number 1

#2

“In the end, it’s extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more than that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness, and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don’t win, how can you lose?” – Jesse Owens

Sports quote number 2

#3

“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” – Wayne Gretzky

Sports quote number 3

#4

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

Sports quote number 4

#5

“I think the hard part is over. Now it’s time for us to play.” — Kerri Walsh

Sports quote number 5

#6

“Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don’t settle for them.” – Mia Hamm

Sports quote number 6

#7

“Kill them with success and bury them with a smile.” – Usain Bolt 

Sports quote number 7

Amusing Sports Quotes

What’s more positive than laughing? Here, we’re are a couple of funny and amusing sports quotes that are sure to make you smile (or cringe).

#1

“Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.” – Jimmy Demaret

Sports quote number 1

#2

“I enjoy all the oohs! and ahhs! from the gallery when I hit my drives. But I’m getting pretty tired of the awws! and uhhs! when I miss a putt.” – John Daly

Sports quote number 2

Awesome Motivational Sports Quotes

Everyone likes a little motivation.

These awesome motivational sports quotes will make you feel better about your performance in whatever sport you are playing. They also provide some inspiration for people who aren’t as good as others to keep trying and keep improving their skills.

#1

“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.” – Knute Rockne

Sports quote number 1

#2

“This whole journey was never about making a roster or being on a team. It was about giving myself an opportunity. I wanted to take a risk, put myself out there and put my faith in action. Faith without action is dead. This whole journey, I’ve never felt so alive.” – Jarryd Hayne 

Sports quote number 2

#3

“The country is full of good coaches. What it takes to win is a bunch of interested players.” – Don Coryell

Sports quote number 3

#4

“Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.” – Magic Johnson

Sports quote number 4

#5

“The sportsman has something special inside of him that takes over in difficult situations. I was driven on by the desire, the passion, the feeling, and the pride of being a footballer.” – Andre Iniesta

Sports quote number 5

#6

“It didn’t matter what obstacle was in front of us, we’d always carry on to the end. ‘Foxes never quit’ is the slogan above the tunnel at the King Power Stadium, and we followed that to the letter.” – Jamie Vardy

Sports quote number 6

The Wrap-Up!

Every time I look up, there’s another sports quote that awakens my sporting ambition. It’s the kind of stuff we all wish we’d known when we were younger. Fortunately, these sports quotes aren’t just for athletes and jocks — they’re for everyone!

How many of these sporting quotes can you relate to? Don’t forget to share them with us in the comments.

Still in the market for some inspiration? Then check out our other quotes articles!

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Paul Smith recently completed his first 100 mile ultra, graduating to the field after discovering running in 2014 and getting hooked on 5k's and 10k's.

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