What you’ll learn: Gain insight and inspiration that goes beyond football with these NFL quotes. Discover motivation, life lessons and ways to be successful in these quotes and sayings.
NFL quotes may be about football, but they’re also so much more. These words of wisdom can be applied on and off the field. They can give you the motivation you need to be your best. Discover ways to apply these quotes to your everyday life for a winning take.
American football is a game of strategy and strength. Grit and greatness. Mind over matter. It’s so much more than just a sport. It’s a powerful tradition that offers inspiring stories of underdog victories and star athletes. Football gives fans something to cheer for and something to believe in. There are also plenty of life lessons rooted in its chaos and culture. All of this reaches its pinnacle within the National Football League (NFL).
Whether it’s from the stands or the comfort of your living room, football is more than a game. Watching it unfold can teach us a lot about heart and determination. But NFL quotes straight from the mouths of current and past players and coaches teach us even more.
The following inspirational NFL quotes share the experiences of some of the sport’s most notable and respected participants. These words go beyond the gridiron and a simple love for the game. In fact, they can create an invaluable playbook for winning in your own life.
Inspirational NFL Football Quotes to Win at Life
Football is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Confidence, learning how to adapt and maintaining a positive mindset all lead to success. These quotes about the NFL serve as a great reminder that the steps it takes to win on the field are similar to those we need to take to reach our own goals.
- “Following the crowd is not a winning approach to life.” —Tim Tebow, quarterback, Denver Broncos (2010–11), New York Jets (2012)
- “Remember, life is not about working to make a living. It is about living to make a difference.” —Herm Edwards, head coach, New York Jets (2001–05), Kansas City Chiefs (2006–08)
- “If you are afraid of confrontation, you are not going to do very well.” —Bill Parcells, head coach, New York Giants (1983–90), New England Patriots (1993–96)
- “Confidence is a very fragile thing, and it certainly is something that has to start with your mental approach and your ability to respond and stay focused and not allow negative thoughts to enter into your own mind.” —Bill Cowher, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–2006)
- “Make sure, if you’re willing to say something, that you worked hard enough and prepared well enough to back those things up.” —Myles Garrett, defensive end, Cleveland Browns (2017–present)
- “Excuses are the tools of the incompetent.” —Mike Tomlin, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers (2007–present)
- “To win, we must adopt the winning attitude used in sports—teamwork, hard work, pride, determination and competitive spirit, respect, understanding, camaraderie, and friendship.” —George Allen, head coach, Los Angeles Rams (1966–70), Washington Redskins (1971–77), What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports
Related: Perseverance Quotes for Determination & Endurance
Famous NFL Quotes to Inspire Hard Work and Discipline
No team ever won the Super Bowl by slacking off and skipping practice. NFL players and coaches offer a masterclass in hard work and drive. They give their literal blood, sweat and tears to their craft. They rely heavily on discipline and self-motivation to keep them on the right track week to week.
The following NFL player quotes and notes from real-life coaches touch on the importance of effort and consistency. Just think about what you could achieve if you commit yourself like a player. What might happen if you have a daily grind similar to that of a professional athlete?
- “Leaders are not born, they are made. And they are made by hard effort, which is the price we must all pay for success.” —Vince Lombardi, head coach, Green Bay Packers (1959–67), Washington Redskins (1969)
- “A lot of people say success is money or power or prestige or social rank. I don’t believe that’s it. I think it’s measured by your discipline and the inner peace you have. It’s being able to handle little situations, to answer individual questions.” —Mike Ditka, head coach, Chicago Bears (1982–92), New Orleans Saints (1997–99)
- “The hardest thing to do is work hard when no one is watching.” —Ray Lewis, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens (1996–2012)
- “If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great. Nothing just happens.” —J.J. Watt, defensive end, Houston Texans (2011–20), Arizona Cardinals (2021–22)
- “Set your goals high and don’t stop till you get there.” —Bo Jackson, running back, Los Angeles Raiders (1987–90), Bo Knows Bo
- “Effort will never be questioned.” —Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present)
- “Excellence is a high performance over a long period of time.” —Jason Witten, tight end, Dallas Cowboys (2003–19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020)
Motivational NFL Quotes About Overcoming Adversity
Every NFL football career has its challenges. Just getting drafted or hired into the prestigious organization is hard enough. Then, players and coaches alike must navigate physical demands, logistical hurdles, tough losses and public scrutiny, all on top of the constant threat of being replaced by the next guy standing in line. Failures and tough times are inevitable in football—and in life. But these motivational quotes show us how to bounce back after taking a hit. They also remind us that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
- “Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.” —Marv Levy, head coach, Kansas City Chiefs (1978–82), Buffalo Bills (1986–97)
- “You fail all the time, but you aren’t a failure until you start blaming someone else.” —Bum Phillips, head coach, Houston Oilers (1975–80), New Orleans Saints (1981–85)
- “I think defeat helps you more than success. I just do whatever I can to be better and learn from the mistakes.” —Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
- “Things will go wrong at times. You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach and response.” —Tony Dungy, head coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2001), Indianapolis Colts (2002–08)
- “I’ve observed that if individuals who prevail in a highly competitive environment have any one thing in common besides success, it is failure—and their ability to overcome it.” —Bill Walsh, head coach, San Francisco 49ers (1979–88), The Score Takes Care of Itself
- “The three P’s: always persevere, always have a great perspective and always have great purpose in your life.” —Russell Wilson, quarterback, Seattle Seahawks (2012–21), Denver Broncos (2022–23), Pittsburgh Steelers (2024), New York Giants (2025–present)
Related: An NFL Career-Ending Injury Led Anthony Trucks on a New Path
NFL Quotes for the Love of the Game
Sometimes, football can be all fun and games. These lighthearted and funny NFL football quotes show us the less serious side of the sport. Players and coaches in the league really do have a passion for what they do. It can be inspiring to see that shine through in their post-game interviews and other public statements. It’s in these moments that individual personalities also begin to show up, oftentimes resulting in some football comedic gold.
- “Football is easy if you’re crazy as hell.” —Bo Jackson, running back, Los Angeles Raiders (1987–90), Bo Knows Bo
- “No risk it, no biscuit.” —Bruce Arians, head coach, Arizona Cardinals (2013–17), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019–21)
- “You have to be mean to be a football player. Some of the best players don’t know how to be mean, and that’s why they can’t get their team to the next level. I’m super mean on the field. If my mom was out there, I’d run over her.” —Michael Bennett, defensive end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010–12), Seattle Seahawks (2013–17), Philadelphia Eagles (2018), New England Patriots (2019), Dallas Cowboys (2019)
- “You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.” —Dan Birdwell, defensive lineman, Oakland Raiders (1962–69)
- “For me it’s life or death every day going out there doing my job, trying to be the best me possible.” —Joe Burrow, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals (2020–present)
- “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” —Archie Griffin, running back, Cincinnati Bengals (1976–82)
- “Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon.” —John Madden, head coach, Oakland Raiders (1969–78)
NFL Sayings to Inspire Team Success at Any Level
There’s no “I” in football. It’s the epitome of a team sport in which everyone shows up, practices, strategizes, wins and loses together. Building a positive environment where participants pick each other up and play off each other’s strengths is paramount.
It requires effective leadership, mutual respect and commitment to a shared goal—all things that teams in the workplace and in life need to thrive as well. The following motivational football coach quotes and NFL team sayings are great reminders of what people are capable of with the power of teamwork.
- “I can’t tell you how much you gain, how much progress you can make, by working together as a team, by helping one another. You get much more done that way.” —Chuck Noll, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969–91)
- “To reach your own goals and dreams, you must learn how to assist others in reaching theirs.” —Joe Gibbs, head coach, Washington Redskins (1981–92, 2004–07)
- “Life’s a team game in itself. Most things we accomplish—it could even be in your office, man—but I don’t know too many things where folks do it on their own, their very own.” —Joe Namath, quarterback, New York Jets (1965–76), Los Angeles Rams (1977)
- “It’s one thing to be a part of an organization. It’s another thing to be a part of the community.” —Travis Kelce, tight end, Kansas City Chiefs (2013–present)
- “I have always believed that you win as part of a team effort…. If everybody does a little bit, it adds up to a lot.” —Jim Harbaugh, head coach, San Francisco 49ers (2011–14), Los Angeles Chargers (2024–present)
- “If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team.” —Bud Wilkinson, head coach, St. Louis Cardinals (1978–79)
NFL Sayings to for Everyday Challenges
Powerful sayings from the NFL playbook can help you tackle some of the challenges of everyday life. Turn to one of these quotes when you need a boost or some daily motivation.
- “Yesterday is a canceled check. Today is cash on the line. Tomorrow is a promissory note.” —Hank Stram, head coach, Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1960–74)
- “You just have to take a deep breath, relax and let the game come to you.” —A.J. Green, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals (2011–20), Arizona Cardinals (2021–22)
- “Control what you can control. Don’t lose sleep worrying about things that you don’t have control over because, at the end of the day, you still won’t have any control over them.” —Cam Newton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers (2011–19, 2021), New England Patriots (2020)
- “It doesn’t matter what people say about me; I weather the storm.” —Terrell Owens, wide receiver, San Francisco 49ers (1996–2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004–05), Dallas Cowboys (2006–08), Buffalo Bills (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2010)
- “My motto: A play a day, keep the coaches away. So I’m trying to make as many plays as I can.” —Montrell Washington, wide receiver, Denver Broncos (2022), Kansas City Chiefs (2023–24), New York Giants (2025–present)
- “The culture precedes positive results. It doesn’t get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand.” —Bill Walsh, head coach, San Francisco 49ers (1979–88), The Score Takes Care of Itself
- “The one thing that I know is that you win with good people.” —Don Shula, head coach, Baltimore Colts (1963–69), Miami Dolphins (1970–95)
Football Quotes: NFL Lessons to Apply to Real Life
A great football player is more than just physically gifted. They’re mentally tough, coachable, good under pressure, resilient and a reliable teammate. In addition, successful coaches are motivating, effective communicators, quick on their feet and always thinking one step ahead. Each role requires a unique skill set that we can all learn from and apply to our own lives. This is true even if we’re not competing for a Lombardi trophy.
When it comes to NFL football, what most people see are the perfect passes, textbook tackles and thrilling touchdowns that play out on our screens on any given Sunday. What we don’t see are the hours of brutal training camp, complex playbooks and countless sacrifices that lead to those moments of on-the-field brilliance.
Players and coaches don’t just show up on game day donning the same colors. They put in countless hours, overcome adversity, and adopt a winning attitude for the love of the game and, more importantly, for the love of their team. From lessons in hard work and discipline to the importance of team synergy, there’s a great deal we can glean from this league and its participants.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2016 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Photo from Freepik.com
