What counts in sports is not the victory, but the magnificence of the struggle.
My thing was play as hard as you can, don't be stupid, pay attention to details, and have enough guts in the clutch that you're not afraid to make a play. Some things I thought were important for a young man to know.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and courage in critical moments.
Joe Paterno's quote highlights essential qualities for success, particularly for young individuals. He advocates for a strong work ethic ('play as hard as you can'), being mindful and careful ('don't be stupid, pay attention to details'), and possessing the courage to take decisive action when it matters most ('have enough guts in the clutch'). This advice encourages young people to balance diligence with wise decision-making and bravery.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational talk to students, one might use this quote to inspire them to strive for excellence in their studies.
More from Joe Paterno
All quotes →I don't think it's fair to 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds to say 'Show us you're a winner right now!' Winning isn't everything. I'll never buy that thing that if a boy loses a football game, he's a loser in life.
They ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach.
What is a coach? We are teachers. Educators. We have the same obligations as all teachers, except we probably have more influence over young people than anybody but their families. And, in a lot of cases, more than their families.
The name on the front of the jersey is what really matters, not the name on the back.
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Everything is generated through your own will power.
Be persistent, and hang on to your vision. And at the same time, be flexible.
When I was young, I was too slow. I thought I must learn to run fast by practicing to run fast, so I ran 100 meters fast 20 times. Then I came back, slow,slow,slow. People said, 'Emil, you are crazy. You are training like a sprinter.'
Where the marathon starts is after 30 kilometers. That's where you feel pain everywhere in your body. The muscles are really aching, and only the most prepared and well-organized athlete is going to do well after that.