Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don't try it without that 10 per cent.
Richie BenaudRead
Any captain can only do his best for the team and for cricket. When you are winning, you are a hero. Lose, and the backslappers fade away.
Interpretation
A captain's true value is revealed in both victory and defeat, highlighting the fleeting nature of praise.
This quote emphasizes the transient nature of recognition in sports, particularly for a team captain. It suggests that while accolades and admiration may abound when a team is successful, such accolades can quickly vanish in times of loss. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of a captain's dedication and efforts for the team, irrespective of the outcomes, reminding us that true leadership and support are not conditional on success.
In practice
In a speech to young athletes about resilience.
Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don't try it without that 10 per cent.
I was a more aggressive rider than Armstrong. I would attack more often. He waits for the other guys, then counter-attacks.
When I started playing, there were no teams and no structure, so I had to play with the boys. I get very emotional when I think about the humiliation that I've suffered playing football.
I've always wanted to shoot a good percentage for my team, because I'm the point guard, and I can take fewer shots, still score more, so that I can get my teammates feeling good about themselves. That was always my feeling - that if I shoot a high percentage, I don't have to shoot a ton.
I quit because I didnt feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.
As a tennis player you can win and you can lose, and you have to be ready for both. I practised self-control as a kid. But as you get older they both - winning and losing - get easier.
Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game.
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