Perseverance isn't just the willingness to work hard. It's that plus the willingness to be stubborn about your own belief in yourself.

- Merlin Olsen

Our coach was absolutely out of his head. He must have read Bear Bryant's book. We had 78 players out. The first day 35 quit. Twenty quit the second …

- Merlin Olsen

The winning team has a dedication. It will have a core of veteran players who set the standards. They will not accept defeat.

- Merlin Olsen

One of life's most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn't do our homework, that we are not prepared.

- Merlin Olsen

Football linemen are motivated by a more complicated, self-determining series of factors than the simple fear of humiliation in the public gaze, whic…

- Merlin Olsen

After a few games I knew I was going to be able to compete. The idea of being a star never crossed my mind.

- Merlin Olsen

I do not believe that there is any secret or single formula for success, but there are common threads of thought and action that characterize the suc…

- Merlin Olsen

I had a hockey puck and stick-the only ones in town. I definitely would have played hockey ahead of football, had it been available.

- Merlin Olsen

We need to know where we are going and how we plan to get there. Our dreams and aspirations must be translated into real and tangible goals with prio…

- Merlin Olsen