I was never coached; I was never told how to hold a bat.
Donald BradmanRead
About the last thing I ever wanted in life was a knighthood, and even today some forty years after the event, I find it difficult to come to terms with a life where old and valued friends insist on calling me 'Sir' instead of Don, simply because they think it is protocol. But I have consciously shouldered these burdens because I felt that I was the medium through which cricket could achieve a higher status and gain maximum support from the people, not only in Australia but throughout the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Donald Bradman expresses his reluctance to accept a title of knighthood, prioritizing his contributions to cricket over personal accolades.
In this quote, Donald Bradman reflects on his discomfort with the title of 'Sir' that comes with knighthood, indicating that his true passion lies in his role as an ambassador for cricket. He feels a sense of duty to elevate the status of the sport and garner support from fans worldwide, suggesting that personal recognition is secondary to the greater goal of promoting the game he loves.
Themes
KnighthoodCricketServiceAmbassadorAccoladesDuty
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech at a sports award ceremony to emphasize the importance of contributing to the community over seeking personal recognition.
More from Donald Bradman
All quotes →Reading poetry and watching cricket were the sum of my world, and the two are not so far apart as many aesthetes might believe.
Donald BradmanRead
The game of cricket existed long before I was born. It will be played centuries after my demise. During my career I was privileged to give the public my interpretation of its character in the same way that a pianist might interpret the works of Beethoven.
Donald BradmanRead
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