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The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History

It's Ray Lewis' birthday, so in honor of the future Hall of Famer, we look at some of the greatest speeches ever given in the history of sports.

In sports, the mental game is half the battle of any victory. You can train all you want, practice all you want, and run through every single play, but you still won't come out with the win if you and your teammates aren't mentally prepared. Great coaches all know this, from guys like Vince Lombardi to Jim Valvano . Being a great coach isn't just about managing personalities and laying out schemes, it's also about being a master motivator. 

Of course, moments of great motivation in sports don't have to just come before, during, or after a game. They can happen in moments of honor or awards or vulnerability. As Kevin Durant 's MVP acceptance speech proved to us last week, an individual award can also be a platform for recognizing an entire team, and the sacrifices made by loved ones for the good of another human being. It's times like these that sports inspire, motivate, and energize all of us. 

So, since it's Ray Lewis'  birthday today, and the former Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker is one of the greatest emotional leaders in all of sports, we put together  The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History for you to sit through and enjoy. Feeling like you need an extra push to get to the weekend? Sit back, and take a listen. After hearing one of these, you'll feel like you can climb Everest. 

15. "I'm Hurt, Dawg."

Speaker : Ed Reed Date : 10/13/2001 Team : Miami Hurricanes Situation : Halftime of the 2001 Miami-Florida State rivalry game

Sometimes, a motivational speech doesn't have to be long in order to be effective. A moment that is short and sweet can easily be just as inspirational as long-winded oration, and with a man who is as soft-spoken as All-Pro safety Ed Reed, it shouldn't be surprising that his speech would go straight to the point. Back in his senior season with the Miami Hurricanes, Reed and his teammates found themselves down 21-13 at halftime against their rival Florida State, putting their perfect season in jeopardy.

However, as they were readying themselves to head back out onto the field, Reed delivered a few choice words to let his fellow 'Canes know that they needed to step it up. "I'm putting my heart in this shit, dawg," he screamed. "Let's go, man!" Thankfully, Reed's teammates heard him. The Hurricanes would score 27 points in the third quarter en route to a 49-27 victory. 

14. Who Am I?

Speaker : Coach Flowers Date : Unknown Team : Leland High School JV football team Situation : Pre-game address for JV conference championship

In terms of intensity and preparation, Coach Flowers of the Leland Chargers takes the cake on this list. Firstly, he has his players ready to respond with the "I am a champion" remark. Secondly, he has a script in hand. Thirdly, he's playing music from The Last of the Mohicans in the background.

Honestly, the entire affair is borderline insane—especially when you consider that this was for a JV football game—but you have to love his commitment to the production, and if this doesn't get you motivated or pumped up in the least bit, then you should consider getting your pulse checked.

13. We Are BC

Speaker : Steve Addazio Date : 8/31/2013 Team : Boston College Eagles Situation : Pre-game address for Boston College's season opener

In his first season as the head football coach for the Boston College Eagles, Steve Addazio wanted to let his players know that they were part of something bigger than one season or one team. " We’re BC," he told them. "It’s not just about 11 on the field at one time...T his program is built on the whole family."

Addazio was speaking of the entire Boston College football legacy, a lineage that spanned back for decades, and one that those players were now members of. And in his first game with the team, Addazio's players did well to represent that history, defeating the Villanova Wildcats 24-14.

12. Pissed Off For Greatness

Speaker: Ray Lewis  Date:  5/28/2012 Team:  Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team Situation:  Pre-game address for the 2012 NIT semifinals

We've seen it countless times before throughout Ray Lewis' storied career: the Baltimore Ravens defensive leader acting as the team's emotional compass. However, we'd never really seen Lewis provide these services for another team until the Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team brought Lewis into their fold for the 2012 NIT tournament.

The NIT may not be that prestigious anymore, but that wasn't going to stop Stanford from making it a once-in-a-lifetime moment. With Lewis' help, the Cardinal learned they needed to be "pissed off for greatness." And clearly, they were. The team would go on to defeat their opponent, UMass, by a score of 74-64 before winning the entire tournament in the next round.

11. I Know Your Heart

Speaker : Derrick Moore Date : 9/1/2007 Team : Georgia Tech football team Situation : Pre-game address for Georgia Tech's season opener

As the team chaplain, Derrick Moore had a close relationship with the members of the 2007 Georgia Tech football team. And when the squad was getting ready to start up their 2007 season, he let those guys know how much it meant to them. 

"It has truly been an honor to know each and everyone one of you by name," he began. "I know your heart." Delving into this relationship, Moore continues his speech with an evangelical fervor, letting each and every player know that they have what it takes to succeed. On that day, the Yellow Jackets proved Moore correct. They squashed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 33-3. 

10. Manic Aggression

Speaker : Paul O'Connell Date : 2/11/2007 Team : Ireland rugby team Situation : Pre-game address for Six Nations Test versus France

Rugby players are a different breed, as they willfully put their bodies on the line for every test without any of the protection that an American football game can offer. However, it's not just the physical differences that separate rugby players from the rest. It's also the mental aspect, as you'll see from Paul O'Connell's stirring, but intimidating, pre-test speech for Ireland's Six Nations test against France. 

O'Connell wants his teammates to "put the fear of God" in their opponents, among other, equally intense objectives. Since the speech, O'Connell has admitted that he's now  "embarrassed"  about the moment (perhaps because Ireland ended up losing the test), but we believe that he still deserves recognition for rallying his teammates no matter how over-the-top his methods may have been.

9. We Got 30 Minutes For the Rest of Our Lives

Speaker : Tim Tebow Date : 1/8/2009 Team : Florida Gators Situation : 2009 BCS National Championship Game

With his Florida Gators knotted with the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, Tim Tebow wanted his team to come out of halftime ready to win. After a lackluster first half, the game was tied at just 7-7. However, Tebow declared that it wouldn't stay that way for long. "We get the ball, I can promise you one thing," he said. "We're gonna hit somebody, and we'll take it downfield for a touchdown." The Gators would make good on his guarantee, edging out the Sooners 24-14.

8. It's Not Going to Come Easy

Speaker : Vince Lombardi Date : 1/14/1968 Team : Green Bay Packers Situation : Pre-game addess for Super Bowl II

Vince Lombardi is the kind of legendary figure in sports whose presence and poise often meant more than his words. As the head coach for the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi led his team to the first two Super Bowl titles in NFL history, first over the Kansas City Chiefs, and then over the Oakland Raiders. However, in Super Bowl II, there were some who felt that the Raiders would have a chance to defeat the Packers after the hard-fought game Green Bay had endured against the Dallas Cowboys in the previous round.

Sensing a possible letdown, Lombardi let his team know what they needed to do in a succinct, but inspiring, pre-game speech. "Just hit, just run, just block, and just tackle," he told them. And it was as simple as that. Green Bay would go on to win 33-14.

7. It's About Us

Speaker : Drew Brees Date : 12/26/2011 Team : New Orleans Saints Situation : Post-game address after the Brees broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record

It isn't often that you see a player go out of their way to thank every member of the organization or the team that they're a part of after they've earned an award or broken a record. However, after breaking Dan Marino's long-standing record for most passing yards in a single season back in 2011, Drew Brees made sure that everyone in the locker room knew how much they meant to him when he was given the game ball by the coaching staff.

"It's about us," Brees said, as he thanked the equipment managers, the owners, his teammates, and seemingly everyone he could think of. At the end of the speech, it should be clear to everyone why the New Orleans Saints have enjoyed all the success they've earned with Brees at the helm: his unshakable belief in the concept of teamwork.

6. This Is Your Everest

Speaker : Jim Telfer Date : 6/21/1997 Team : British & Irish Lions Situation : Pre-game address for test against the Springboks

With the British & Irish Lions playing the underdog during their 1997 tour in South Africa, assistant coach Jim Telfer knew that he needed a way to properly inspire his Lions players to victory. And as they were readying for their first test against the Springboks, Telfer succeeded in his mission. 

"You have an awesome responsibility on these eight individual forward's shoulders, an awesome responsibility," Telfer began. "This your f***ing Everest boys. Very few ever get the chance in rugby terms to get to Everest, the top of Everest. You have the chance." The Lions would seize the opportunity, winning their test series 2-1 in a considerable upset. 

5. You're the Real MVP

Speaker : Kevin Durant Date : 5/6/2014 Team : Oklahoma City Thunder Situation : His acceptance speech for the 2013-14 NBA MVP Award

Last week, in what was one of the longest and greatest acceptance speeches ever, Kevin Durant gave an off-the-cuff and passionate explanation of what winning the NBA MVP Award meant to him, and how exactly he got there. Many were touched by the words he said about his mother, thanking her profusely for everything he gave him and the rest of their family.  "When you didn't eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You're the real MVP," he said.

However, it wasn't just the love for his mother that grabbed everyone's attention. It was also the fact that Durant wanted to thank every single one of his teammates, especially his superstar counterpart Russell Westbrook, when detailing how he managed to earn the prestigious award. 

For years, Durant had been labelled as "too nice," a sort of backhanded compliment that he finally managed to shed this year by ruthlessly dominating teams night in and night out. However, in his most vulnerable moment yet, everyone was glad to see that KD could still be the nice guy when the time called for it. KD's words motivated the Thunder to a 112-101 victory over the Clippers the following night.

4. It Ain't About One Play

Speaker : Ray Lewis Date : 1/22/2012 Team : Baltimore Ravens Situation : Post-game address for the 2012 AFC Championship Game

After a tough loss to the New England Patriots in the 2012 AFC Championship Game, the Baltimore Ravens weren't feeling good about themselves. A stripped pass in the end zone had prevented the Ravens from scoring the winning touchdown in the closing minute, and a missed field had kept them from tying it at the last second. However, Ray Lewis wasn't about to listen to anyone who wanted to moan about the loss or a single play.

"We fought as a team," he said in the locker room. "The fact is, we gotta come back and go to work." They certainly did. The Ravens would avenge their AFC Championship Game loss in the next season against the Patriots before capturing their second Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLVII. 

3. This is Our F***ing City

Speaker : David Ortiz Date : 4/20/2013 Team : Boston Red Sox Situation : Pre-game address to Boston fans

After the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy, the city of Boston was in need of a boost to their morale. So, with the city turning out in huge number for the April 20 game against the Kansas City Royals, star player David Ortiz knew that he needed to bring up the crowd's spirits. It wasn't a long, eloquent speech, but it was incredibly effective. 

First, Ortiz let them know that the Red Sox represented the city of Boston, and not just the franchise. After that, he thanked the Boston mayor, the Massachusetts governor, and all the public service employees who had helped Boston citizens during the horrific incident. Then, out of nowhere, Ortiz said his now-famous line: "This is our fucking city. And nobody gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong." Mind you, this happened on live television.  However, given the gravity of the moment, it's hard to believe that anyone would complain about Ortiz's sentiments. 

2. Leave No Doubt

Speaker : Billl Stewart Date : 1/2/2008 Team : West Virginia Mountaineers Situation : Pre-game address for the 2008 Fiesta Bowl

Interim head coach Bill Stewart took over the West Virginia football team at a tumultuous moment. Former head coach Rich Rodriguez had just left the team to take the job as the Michigan Wolverines HC, leaving his Mountaineers players without their offensive mastermind and leader. However, Stewart wasn't willing to let his players get too down about it. With the Oklahoma Sooners waiting, Stewart needed his guys to be ready to play.

"Let 'em know," he told them. "Leave no doubt tonight! They shouldn't have played the old Gold and Blue!" He was right. The Mountaineers would dominate the Sooners by a score of 48-28, making the loss one of the worst in Bob Stoops' career as the Oklahoma head coach. 

1. Don't Ever Give Up

Speaker : Jim Valvano Date : 3/4/1993 Team : N/A Situation : The 1993 ESPY Awards

With cancer ravaging his body, former NC State men's basketball coach Jimmy Valvano was determined to make one last stand to the public, delivering a speech at the inaugural ESPY Awards that would come to define his legacy. 

During his speech, Valvano candidly explained the consequences of his illness, but still bravely rallied support for his cause, and remained adamant that no one give up hope. " I just got one last thing," he said. "I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have." And on a closing note, Valvano famously expressed, " Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Valvano would succumb to cancer on April 28, 1993. However, the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research lives on to carry his name. 

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5 Fantastic Motivational Sporting Speeches

Motivational speeches have been a source of inspiration (and a catalyst for change) for almost as long as humans have existed.

From Alexander the Great, who encouraged his soldiers to stand up and continue fighting after a gruesome battle against the Paurava kingdom in 326 BC to George Washington’s infamous resignation speech in 1784, the use of one’s words and voice to inspire others has shaped history and greatly contributed to the world as we know it today.

In the world of sports, speeches are used to motivate and inspire players, acting as an impetus that drives them to perform at their best.

But motivational sporting speeches are not applicable to athletes alone. The themes that are shared in these speeches are universally relatable, making them relevant to individuals from all walks of life.

Whether it’s overcoming adversity, rising to the challenge or the importance of teamwork, sports players, coaches, and other athletic professionals have an abundance of wisdom to share.

Thus, in today’s blog, we’ll be sharing some of the best sports speeches and quotes from the past. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!

1. Herb Brooks – 1980 Olympic Hockey Pre-Game Speech

Herbert Paul Brooks was a hockey player and coach from Minnesota. He is best known for coaching the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1980 to one of the greatest upsets in American sports history when they defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union at Lake Placid. The team was not expected to win since the Soviets had defeated the U.S. 10-3 in their final exhibition game at Madison Square Garden. But Brooks was not willing to go down without a fight, giving an extremely powerful speech before his players hit the ice — an address that many of his players credited for the team’s victory. The speech was so memorable and moving it was featured in the blockbuster film, Miracle , with Kurt Russell playing Brooks.

Below is a quote from Brooks’ motivational sports speech:

“Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here, tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game. If we played ’em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ’em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.”

Click here to watch a clip from the movie Miracle , in which Kurt Russell reenacts this unforgettable moment.

2. Jim Valvano – 1993 ESPY Awards Speech

Many of the world’s most significant speeches came from a place of pain or hardship, and inspirational sports speeches are no different. Jim Valvano, coach of the North Carolina State University basketball team, gave such a speech at the Excellence in Sports Yearly Awards (ESPYs) in 1993 after he’d been diagnosed with a terminal type of glandular cancer. The speech was meant to encourage his audience to live their lives to the fullest and eventually went down in history as one of the most important inspirational coach speeches of all time.

Here is a quote from his lecture:

“There are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”

You can watch the entire speech on YouTube here .

3. Billy Donovan – 2006 NCAA Championship Game

Billy Donovan was the Florida Gator’s men’s basketball team in 2006— a team that had struggled the year prior. Under Donovan’s guidance, however, they were able to reach the championship game. Before the game started, Donovan spoke to his players, delivering a forceful sermon about seizing the moment.

Below is a quote from his speech, which is considered by many to be one of the most inspirational sports speeches ever given:

“Tonight is not about the past and it’s not about the future. It’s about right now, and you guys have got to want this night to last forever.”

Watch the full clip of Billy Donovan’s pregame speech here .

4. LeBron James – 2018 AAU North Coast Blue Chips Speech

LeBron James is one of the greatest names in NBA history with three championships under his belt and three Olympic gold medals amongst a long list of other achievements. But one of James’ most memorable speeches actually occurred while he was attending his 13-year-old son’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) game in 2018. Before the game began, James took the opportunity to share one of his greatest lessons with the young players— that teamwork really does make the dream work. His words instantly became one of his most admired sports inspirational speeches.

Here is a quote from the address:

“Many Hall of Famer’s and some of the best players to ever play the game have come off the bench— or didn’t play. That don’t mean you aren’t good. There are guys in the NBA that don’t play. Does that mean they aren’t good? No. They are playing a role. If you don’t want a role, play tennis or play golf. Because then you can do whatever [expeletive] you want to do, and you’ve got no one else to blame because it’s an individual sport. But if you want to play a team sport, there’s going to be things you’ve got to give up to get what you want.”

You can watch the clip in its entirety here . 

5. Dave Belisle – 2014 Little League World Series Speech

Coaching a team is always a responsibility that mentors take seriously. But when you’re coaching 12-year-old boys, that responsibility becomes even more heartfelt and profound. Dave Belisle knows this first-hand as he was the coach of the Cumberland, Rhode Island team that lost their championship Little League game to Jackie Robinson West of Chicago, Illinois in 2014. Seeing the defeat on his young player’s faces, Belisle gathered his team for some final words, which eventually went down in history as one of the most touching motivational sporting speeches in baseball history.

“The only reason why I’m shedding a tear is because this is the last time I’m going to end up coaching you guys. I’m going to bring back with me, and the coaching staff is going to bring back with them, something that no one other team can provide but you guys. That’s pride. Pride.

You’re going to take that for the rest of your life, what you provided for our town in Cumberland. You had the whole place jumping. You had the whole state jumping. You had New England jumping. You had ESPN jumping. Want to know why? They like fighters. They like sportsmen. They like guys who don’t quit. They like guys who play the game the right way.

If everyone would play baseball like the Cumberland Americans, this would be the greatest game. When you walk around this ballpark in the next couple of days, they’re going to look at you and say, “Hey, guys, you guys were awesome.” 

Watch the entire clip on Youtube here .

Are you looking for athletes who can deliver motivational sporting speeches for your events? Sports Speakers 360 has thousands of athletes from which to choose. Call us today at 303-747-4087 or visit https://www.sportsspeakers360.com .

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Home › 100 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes Of All Time

100 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes Of All Time

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. See our disclosure for more info.

For sports fans, sports are the epitome of hard work and dedication. To get to the pinnacle of their sport, even the most naturally gifted athletes have to give it their all. Yes, we watch sports for the excitement, but even more so for the drama. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a team come back to win that 4th game after being down 0-3, or a fighter getting off the canvas to score a comeback after a knock-out.

Sports are about those incredible moments where sheer human will and desire overcomes the odds. These are the moments we remember.

Given the nature of sports, it’s not surprising that athletes have had some inspiring and motivational things to say about hard work , perseverance, leadership , winning, and much more. Here are the most inspirational sports quotes for athletes and fans.

100 Inspiring Sports Quotes

The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose. Ernie Banks

When you’re riding, only the race in which you’re riding is important. Bill Shoemaker

Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability. Bruce Jenner

A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever. Mary Lou Retton

Number one is just to gain a passion for running. To love the morning, to love the trail, to love the pace on the track. And if some kid gets really good at it, that’s cool too. Pat Tyson

Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown. Ross Perot

You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself. Larry Brown

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. Ted Williams

One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it. Knute Rockne

The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength , skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit. Ken Doherty

An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head. Emil Zatopek

Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her. Mia Hamm

Never give up , never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss. Doug Williams

It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters. Paul “Bear” Bryant

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Marv Levy

I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat. Tom Landry

Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears. Laird Hamilton

I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it. Sandy Koufax

If you can’t outplay them, outwork them. Ben Hogan

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. Rogers Hornsby

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. William James

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. Mike Singletary

Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential. Liane Cardes

Good is not good when better is expected. Vin Scully

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. Tommy Lasorda

Champions keep playing until they get it right. Billie Jean King

You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours. Herb Brooks

If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail. Mark Spitz

How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser. Lou Holtz

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. Matt Biondi

Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence. George F. Will

The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before. Steve Young

You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy. Arthur Ashe

What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose. Andre Agassi

The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning. Pele

It ain’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

Most talented players don’t always succeed. Some don’t even make the team. It’s more what’s inside. Brett Favre

One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team , but one man cannot make a team. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Stubbornness usually is considered a negative; but I think that trait has been a positive for me. Cal Ripken Jr.

You’ve got to take the initiative and play your game. In a decisive set, confidence is the difference. Chris Evert

When you win, say nothing, when you lose, say less. Paul Brown

The hardest skill to acquire in this sport is the one where you compete all out, give it all you have, and you are still getting beat no matter what you do. When you have the killer instinct to fight through that, it is very special. Eddie Reese

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent. Arnold Schwarzenegger

During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball. Mickey Mantle

I never left the field saying I could have done more to get ready and that gives me peace of mind. Peyton Manning

Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you. Eddie Robinson

You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out, but you gotta suit up for them all. J. Askenberg

Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you. Arnold Palmer

To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limits and then you have to have the courage to blow past them. Picabo Street

Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time. Lou Brock

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. Homer Rice

You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave–win or lose. Gordie Howe

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging. Hank Aaron

I didn’t believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on the field and be prepared to play a good game. Tom Landry

Your biggest opponent isn’t the other guy. It’s human nature. Bobby Knight

If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it. Ronnie Lott

If you don’t have confidence, you’ll always find a way not to win. Carl Lewis

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

Make each day your masterpiece. John Wooden

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. Pat Riley

Win If You Can, Lose If You Must, But NEVER QUIT! Cameron Trammell

If you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough. Mario Andretti

What do do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it. Dean Smith

Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds. Larry Bird

If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all? Joe Namath

You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. Michael Phelps

Do not let what you can not do interfere with what you can do. John Wooden

Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. Phil Jackson

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. Joe Paterno

Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records. William A. Ward

Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. Satchel Paige

Some people say I have attitude – maybe I do…but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there. Venus Williams

It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters. Evander Holyfield

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ Muhammad Ali

There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either IN or you’re OUT. There is no such thing as life in-between. Pat Riley

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. Jack Dempsey

It ain’t over till it’s over. Yogi Berra

You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Phil Jackson

Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first step to succeeding. Jim Valvano

You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky

The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it. Wayne Gretzky

Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts. Dan Gable

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan

Hope you enjoyed these 100 inspirational quotes for athletes. If we left anything out, we’d love to hear the quotes that make you love sports and get you motivated to play them.

Quincy Seale

8 thoughts on “100 Most Inspirational Sports Quotes Of All Time”

Here is my favorite: “Never say never, because limits, are often just an illusion.” This is the quote that made me play basketball, and I say it to myself everyday.

Big time player make big time plays- Santana Moss

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” – Jack Dempsey I think that this is a very strong and inspirational quote to kids that are in sports and are struggling and getting let down by teammates or coaches if according to other players on the team or the coaches. So, thanks to Jack by coming up with this amazing quote.

“Pain is Temporary, Quiting Lasts Forever”-Danny Duncan

Mia Hamm… And: No, not important

“Access to success is through the mind.” Jack Nelson

“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success.” by Ross Perot This is one of my favorites. All too often in everything we do we just fall short of reaching our goals. Just a few more steps, just around the next corner, we just need to keep on pushing through and we’ll get where we want to be.

Here’s my favorite:

“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never be denied.” – The Rock

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Best 10 Motivational Sports Speeches in History

By Jesse Long

Updated on: September 20, 2021

Sports are an important part of the human experience. They create competition, but they also provide many life lessons.

Sports are more than playing games, they involve learning how to win graciously and lose with the mindset of a champion. Athletes learn how to dig deep inside and come together in victory and defeat alike.

Sports are a great source of inspiration for many people, and some of the motivational speeches  are full of lessons that can apply to all aspects of life. Here are the best 10 motivational speeches in sports history.

Table of Contents

#1. Jim Valvano 1993 Espy Awards

In 1993, the beloved basketball coach for NC State was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage & Humanitarian Award at the Espys. His speech was inspirational and brave, as he gave his point of view on sports and life. He was battling cancer at the time.

He starts off by saying that the way to get through hard times is to laugh, you should think, and you should cry. He tells a great story about his first coaching job, and he says that the way to get where you want to be is by having enthusiasm for life.

He talks about his family and how important they are, and he goes on to say that he plans to spend the rest of his life raising money to fight cancer. He encourages everyone to join him in this battle. His speech is the epitome of courage, and it leaves you feeling inspired.

#2. Herb Brooks 1980 Olympics Team USA Hockey

In 1980, the United States Hockey Team was getting ready to face the USSR in the Olympics. They were not expected to win. Their victory is considered one of the greatest wins by an underdog in all sports. Herb Brooks was the head coach, and he gave the team a motivational speech that is considered one of the greatest of all time.

He started by telling the team that great moments are born from great opportunity, and he was able to motivate the team by getting them to live in that moment no matter what else might happen another day. This is a great example of how a legendary coach can motivate his team and get the best out of them.

#3. Lou Gehrig Luckiest Man Speech

Lou Gehrig’s final appearance at Yankee Stadium was one of the most emotional ever. He was ill, and the Yankees celebrated him with members of the famous 1927 Yankees team and more. With over 60,000 fans in the stands, Lou stood on the field and listened to legends such as Mickey Mantle sing his praises.

When it was time for Gehrig to speak, he was too emotional. However, hearing chants of the crowd asking for him, he gave in. He was sick and dying of what is now called Lou Gehrig’s disease , but he begins his speech, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Even as his health was failing, Gehrig teaches us that there is always something to be grateful for.

#4. Knute Rockne Notre Dame Coach

This speech by legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne is a great example of his pep talks to the team. In 1928, the team was having what would have been Rockne’s only losing season, and Walter Cronkite got this recording for his CBS-TV series titled “Twentieth Century.” It shows his style.

He spoke in staccato and emphasized the key points. His intonation sends the message as much as his words. Later on, in the movie, “Rudy,” Rudy delivers part of this speech in the Notre Dame locker room. Not only did Knute Rockne inspire his teams to win games, but he inspired a kid to pursue his dream of playing football.

#5. Jack Buck’s 9-11 Poem

The terror attacks on the United States left an entire nation stunned yet resolved to rise up again. Jack Buck, the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, wrote and delivered his poem, “ For America,” on September 17, 2001 to a crowd of 32,000 baseball fans.

Jack Buck retired from announcing in 2000, but he made one last appearance to deliver this poem at Busch Stadium. The poem is short and to the point, but it is inspirational and gives people hope. Baseball was living proof that the terrorists couldn’t take away the American dream, and Jack Buck knocked this one out of the park.

#6. David Belisle 2014 Little League World Series

When his team was eliminated from the Little League World Series by just one run, he gave a speech to his team of 11- and 12-year-old boys that helped them rise up from their disappointing loss. The boys didn’t have a meltdown; he points out how well they played and the little things that really matter.

He tells the boys to hold their heads up high because everyone is proud of them, and he tells them to celebrate before returning home to a parade for their accomplishments. His words are truly inspirational, and this speech had a huge and lasting impact on those boys and anyone who listens to it.

#7. Ray Lewis Hall of Fame Speech (NFL)

If anyone can preach, it’s Ray Lewis. His presentation is enough to inspire anyone to believe in their dreams. He tells a story of how he wasn’t supposed to survive, but here he is. His speech is all about his career, and he relives moments and tells how he overcame adversity.

When he talks of his injury and how he promised to come back, and he did. He says he is living proof of the impossible. He talks about working through pain and bouncing back from it. He truly embodies an athlete who will never let anything get in his way.

He speaks to kids who might be at home and thinking of joining a gang, and he shows them that he is living proof that you have to chase your dreams. He grew up in the projects, too. He has strong faith, and he attributes his strength to his mom.

#8. Kevin Durant 2013-2014 MVP Speech

When Kevin Durant accepted the 2013-2014 MVP, he gave an incredible speech on how he got there. He talks about tough times growing up and how he never imagined he would go to college much less play in the NBA. He gets quite emotional as he tells everyone what the people who are close to him meant to his journey.

This speech is inspirational for anyone who is struggling with adversity. He not only tells how he made it to this place in spite of incredible adversity, but he mentions everyone who played a role along the way. He is truly a humble and grateful person who made it to the top of his sport, and he acknowledges what a huge role his family, mentors, and friends have played along the way.

#9. Al Pacino’s “Inch by Inch” Speech

In the 1999 film, “Any Given Sunday,” Al Pacino plays the football coach, and he gives a powerful talk to the team about the importance of inches. Not only are his words true and applicable to just about any situation in life, but they fire the team up and lead them to victory.

A great coach needs to motivate the team to fight for the win, and in this movie, Al Pacino does a brilliant job of inspiring his team with this speech. Everyone can learn from this speech. The “inches” are the little things in life that add up to keep you on your path. It is true of all sports and all life experiences.

#10. Rocky Balboa “It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit”

This is another great motivational speech from a movie. When Rocky’s son is letting him know how hard his life is because of his father, Rocky gives him a lesson on life. In a speech from the heart, Rocky lets his son know how much he loves him and believes in him before schooling him on his insecurities.

It’s a simple lesson, and it relates to boxing as well as life. He says, “It ain’t about how hard you hit.” Then he explains that it’s about how many times you can get hit and keep going in life. The point is that life is hard, and you have to be tough enough to go after your dreams without letting any excuses get in your way.

Final Words

Sports provide a lot of material for motivation. While sports is about winning, athletes and coaches know that you can’t win every game. Your failures make you better, and your teammates, coaches, family, and mentors help you achieve your dreams. Winning is a result of coming together for a common goal, and life works the same way. These are truly great examples of how to learn to stand up strong, rely on family and friends, and believe in yourself.

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12 Best Motivational Sports Speeches To Inspire Kids

These are guaranteed to give your kid a boost before the big game or pick them up after a tough loss.

Kids need words of wisdom. But even the very best coaches are sometimes at a loss for words. Not everyone who has kids in sports is a Ted Lasso, and even Ted Lasso borrows inspiration from other people!

Some of the best sports speeches seemingly apply to every situation: the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the importance of teamwork , and the discipline required to reach great heights. With this in mind, we gathered some of the best inspirational speeches available on YouTube, delivered by pro athletes, coaches, and even a little kid who dropped some knowledge after taking a tumble off his bike. Don’t be surprised to find yourself fired up and ready for another attempt, whether that’s in the boardroom or batting cages.

1. Apollos Hester’s Postgame Interview

East View High’s Apollos Hester is coveted by college scouts for his incredible speed and agility, great hands, and optimistic attitude about life’s limitless potential. As is obvious from this great sport speech, the Texan is also one hell of a motivational speaker. This speech marked the first time in history a teenager thought they knew more than every adult in the world and was actually correct.

Choice Quote: “Regardless of the situation, regardless of the scoreboard, you’re going to be successful because you’ve put in all the time, all the effort, all the hard work, and you know that it’s going to pay off.”

2. Coach Dave Belisle’s Little League World Series Speech

Eleven- and 12-year-old boys aren’t naturally gracious losers, so when the Cumberland Americans were eliminated from the 2014 Little League World Series by just one run, a national TV audience could have witnessed an all-time adolescent meltdown. Instead, coach Dave Belisle delivered an all-time “heads up high” speech that turned tears of sadness into tears of joy. It’s a masterclass in how to handle disappointment.

Choice Quote : “It’s okay to cry because we’re not going to play baseball together anymore. But we’re going to be friends forever.”

3. Kevin Durant’s 2013-2014 MVP Speech

In Durant’s 2013–14 NBA MVP acceptance speech, he takes time to acknowledge all the hard work, setbacks, and sacrifices he endured to arrive at the moment as well as the friends, family, coaches, teammates, and supporters who helped him along the way. It’s the sports speech version of the famous Hillary Clinton “It takes a village” quote, and it’s a beautifully articulated and touching way of acknowledging what it truly takes to be great.

Choice Quote : “So many people believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. So many people doubted me and motivated me every single day to be who I am. I failed so many times and got back up. I’ve been through the toughest times with my family, but I’m still standing.”

4. This Little Kid’s Speech After Learning to Ride a Bike

If your kid won’t take it from you, let ’em take it from one of their own. Hell, you take it from one of their own. With enough confidence in yourself, you’ll know how to deliver an inspirational speech to your child. If you don’t, you’ll get there with practice. Also, shout out to the dad who perfectly set up the kid to deliver the ultimate attaboy for every training wheel-hating kid.

Choice Quote : “Thumbs up, everybody! For rock and roll!”

5. Darrel Green’s NFL Hall of Fame Speech

Green’s NFL Hall of Fame acceptance speech is remembered as one of the most passionate of all time. It’s absolutely riveting — and full of excellent advice for parents and children alike. Plus, it rhymes, so it’s easy to remember.

Choice Quote : “They said, ‘No,’ and he said, ‘Go.’ The best encouragement you can ever get in life is when a dad encourages his son. Encourage your son. That’s what he did for us.”

6. Coach Flowers’ JV Championship Speech

Playing “Last of the Mohicans” as your personal background music while barking scripted notes like DMX to fire up the junior varsity squad might seem a little overboard. And, well, that may be the case. Still, admit you’d love to see a gang of 6-year-olds scream, “I am champion!” before tripping over a soccer ball for 40 minutes.

Choice Quote : “No one will deny me, no one will define me. And no one will tell me who and what I am and can be. Belief will change my world.”

7. Jim Valvano’s ESPY Speech

At their best, sports can teach life’s greatest lessons. In his acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first ESPY Awards in 1993, Jim Valvano, basketball player, coach, and broadcaster, delivered a masterclass in that premise. Ten years after leading North Carolina State to an NCAA championship in the greatest upset ever and then battling late-stage, terminal cancer, Jimmy V outlined his blueprint for a fulfilling life in three simple rules: Laugh, think, and cry. Every day. Do it, and you’ll indeed be fulfilled.

Choice Quote : “There are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two: think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears — could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”

8. Tony Romo’s 2016 Press Conference About Dak Prescott

After a back injury and lots of missed time, Tony Romo lost his dream job — starting NFL quarterback. His backup, Dak Prescott, proved himself worthy of the starting job with his play. In a press conference, Romo addresses the situation with grace and eloquence. Instead of sulking or complaining, he speaks from the heart about the darkness of not being able to play, gives thanks for the people who helped him when he was younger, and promises to do the same for his protégé. In light of his present gig as an in-demand NFL commentator, it’s obvious his advice has paid off.

Choice Quote: “There are special moments that come from a shared commitment to play a role while doing it together that’s what you remember not your stats or your prestige but the relationships and the achievement that you created through a group.”

9. Coach Tony Arcuri’s 2007 Pregame Speech to the Indian Hill Braves High School Football Team.

This is an important lesson for your kid, who almost certainly will face an opponent (or teammate, for that matter) who is bigger, stronger, and/or faster than they are.

Choice Quote : “They’re bigger. They got athletes, they got guys going to Division 1 schools. All right? We can see that and so can everybody else. But nobody can see the intangible in us. Be the intangible tonight!”

10. Drew Brees’ Speech After Breaking Dan Marino’s Record

In 2011, Drew Brees set the record for most passing yards in a season and gave this motivational sports speech to his coaches and teammates after the game. Ever humble, Brees exhaustively lists every person who helped him along the way, from his teammates to the equipment managers. He also finds time to get in a ball joke. What a pro.

Choice Quote: “There may be only one name that goes in the record book, but it’s all about you guys.”

11. Herb Brooks’ Miracle Pregame Speech

Yes, this speech is from a movie, which violates this list’s only rule. Herb Brooks’ speech before the 1980 Men’s U.S. Olympic hockey team pulled off the “Miracle on Ice” happened behind closed doors. But none of that matters because Junior can’t lose — not this game, not tonight. Also, because the movie recreation, Miracle, led to this kid reciting Brooks’ speech .

Choice Quote : “This is your time. Now go out there and take it!”

12. Jason McElwain’s Scoring Spree

Because your play should speak for itself.

Choice Quote : [Crowd loses its mind as autistic team manager rains threes to score 20 points in four minutes]

This article was originally published on Sep. 14, 2016

16 Of The Greatest Motivational Sports Speeches In History

Screen Rant

10 most inspiring sports movie speeches.

Some of the most motivational speeches in film history come from iconic sports movies that instill crucial lessons in life both on and off the field.

The most inspiring sports movie speeches of all time light a fire under every sports fan's heart. They are typically given by head coaches of underdog teams who need a pre-game or halftime locker room pick-me-up to encourage the pursuit of victory against a challenging opponent. They can also arise in other unique ways that encapsulate the feelings of sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love of the game that reminds every athlete, coach, and fan why they play ball.

The timeless tale of inspiring underdogs in sports movies is the culmination of blood, sweat, and tears as well as fearlessness in the face of a formidable opponent. The best speeches in sports movies often remind those it is intended for to keep up their determination and maintain their belief in themselves. The most inspiring moments in sports movies come from the mutual desire to become greater than the sum of any given team's parts and often speak to notions of greatness and achievement that transcend the court or playing field.

RELATED: 12 Awesome Sports Movies Not Based On A True Story

10 Hoosiers - “I Don’t Care What The Scoreboard Says”

In the 1986 classic basketball film Hoosiers , Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) delivers a passionate speech to his Hickory High School Huskers varsity team. Dale walks into a timid locker room in a make-or-break moment that will determine how the Indiana team will approach their big game. Dale's speech denounces the common anxieties that come with pre-game jitters, reminding his team not to focus on winning a distant state championship but to instead remember that the road to victory begins with one step. Dale encourages his team to forget about the crowds and the scoreboard, which leads to an iconic slow clap that fires the Huskers up before they hit the court.

9 Remember The Titans - “Leave No Doubt”

Remember the Titans is full of inspiring moments, but none capture the same intensity of the mid-game motivational speech given by Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). During the Northern Virginia Regional Championship Football Game, Yoast pulls his defensive players aside and reinforces their main objective, telling them to blitz the opponent's quarterback all night. After one of his star players quits during the game, Yoast improvises by subbing in back-up Alan Bosley (Ryan Gosling) and delivered the legendary line "You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans. Leave no doubt!"

8 Glory Road - “Take It”

The most motivational speech in the basketball film Glory Road is delivered by head coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) to his Texas Western basketball team as they are just two minutes from winning a national championship. In the huddle during a timeout, Haskins reminds his players that the key to winning a championship is about heart and which team wants to win the most. His inspiring speech encourages the underdog basketball team to take the victory from the established favorites since they will not hand it over simply. The speech is a declaration of the required willpower that turns competitors into champions.

7 Field Of Dreams - “People Will Come”

James Earl Jones delivers one of the most iconic speeches in all sports movies in Field of Dreams . Terence Mann (Jones) paints a portrait of what the baseball filed will inspire if Ray (Kevin Costner) builds it in his cornfield. The speech intercuts with Ray's contemplation of whether he should sell his property to ensure that he won't lose all of his financial assets. The inspirational speech creates the vision of a magical baseball field that will captivate every fan and player's attention and will ultimately prevent Ray from having to sell his beloved property. Mann memorably reminds Ray that if he builds the field, people will come.

6 Friday Night Lights - “Perfect”

Before the popular Friday Night Lights television series began, a 2004 movie of the same name starred Billy Bob Thornton as Coach Gary Gaines. Gaines delivers a brutally raw and honest speech to his team of football players that reminds them of the fleeting nature of life, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to win while they still have it. Gaines reiterates to his team at their most crucial and vulnerable moment that his notion of being "perfect" is not about winning the game, but about becoming good, reliable people through the game. It's a poignant speech that dives into how life is much bigger than any sports game.

RELATED: 10 Saddest Sports Movie Moments That Will Definitely Make You Cry

5 We Are Marshall - “You Cannot Lose”

We Are Marshall is one of the most devastating sports films ever made with many tear-jerking moments. Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) brings his college football team to the final resting place of former Marshall players and staff members who died in a tragic plane crash. In a grim yet powerful speech, Lengyel reminds his players that although their opponent is physically stronger and more efficient than them, they aren't aware of how passionate they are. Lengyel's message touches on the deepest motivation of any sports competition, which is the commitment and heart in every player and team that can fuel an underdog to victory.

4 Coach Carter - “Our Deepest Fear”

One of the most motivational speeches in sports films is surprisingly not delivered by a coach but a player. In Coach Carter , point guard Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) stands up and recites a poetic monologue that demonstrates the life lessons Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) had taught him during their basketball season. Cruz begins by saying, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." The moment delivers one of the rare speeches in sports movies that is applicable to philosophy and life in all areas, making it exceptionally profound even to non-sports fans.

3 Rocky Balboa - “It’s Not About How Hard You Hit”

Another beautifully constructed speech that applies to life outside the ring can be found is 2006's Rocky Balboa . Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gives an impassioned pep talk to his son that delicately criticizes and motivates him to rise to difficult challenges. One of the most poignant parts of the speech is when Rocky says, "It ain't about how hard you can hit, but about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." It's an incredible message about the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles in order to find success and happiness in life.

2 Miracle - “Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity”

In Miracle , Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) delivers one of the best pre-game speeches of all time. Brooks's command of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team is akin to an army general, which is appropriate given the international tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War at the time. Brooks's speech is focused on the unification and determination required to achieve the highest form of victory. It stresses the importance of disavowing any self-doubt in order to make the most of rare opportunities when they are given.

1 Any Given Sunday - “Life Is A Game Of Inches”

The most inspirational speech in all sports movies is performed by Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday . Coach Tony D'Amato (Pacino) gives a speech that is motivational, heartfelt, relatable, and poetic all at once, proclaiming that life itself is a game of inches that must be earned, just like football. The speech is performed like a sermon that highlights the significance of margins of error in both football and life, which makes all the differences between winning and losing. D'Amato's speech perfectly combines passion, intelligence, and philosophy to create the most inspiring sports movie speech of all time.

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Famous Sports Speeches

Famous sports speeches highlight some of the greatest speeches about sports in the history of athletics. From famous speeches by athletes to legendary speeches by coaches, many of the most memorable sentiments in sports history are here on this sports speech list. This list includes motivational speeches for athletes, pump up speeches, and just the most all around famous sport speeches.

If " great moments are born from great opportunity ," then these famous sports speeches helped those opportunities become great moments by providing the motivation to achieve the impossible. What are the most famous sports speeches? From the pre-game pump-up speeches by coaches before championship games to the reflection speeches given after great careers, these famous sports speeches are some of the best ever.

What are the greatest speeches in sports? While sports movies like Any Given Sunday  and Hoosiers give plenty of fictional inspiring speeches , these speeches took place in real life and inspired generations to come.

Jimmy Valvano

Appearing at the first ESPY Awards on March 3, 1993, former North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano gave an emotional and motivational speech while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. Valvano was suffering from cancer at the time, announcing The V Foundation and urging everyone to laugh, think and cry everyday, words that also appeared on his tombstone after he lost his battle with cancer less than two months later.

Showing strength and optimism in the face of adversity, baseball legend Lou Gehrig gave the famous "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech during a New York Yankees game on July 4, 1939, which was also deemed Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.

Only days earlier, the six-time World Series champion had retired from the game after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans... So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

Herb Brooks

Speaking to his players prior to a game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks inspired his squad to complete the impossible and beat the dominant Soviet team. They did just that, completing the "Miracle on Ice" and went on to win the gold medal.

Though the original speech was done in a private locker room, in the 2004 film Miracle , Kurt Russell recreated the speech.

"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"

Muhammad Ali

Prior to fighting George Foreman on October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali read this poem as part of the build-up for the fight known as "The Rumble in the Jungle." Ali won the fight in the eighth round, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing.

Frail and in pain from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth made one last appearance at Yankee Stadium for "Babe Ruth Day" on April 27, 1947, to give his farewell speech. The Bambino addressed the sell-out crowd of over 60,000 by reflecting on his journey to the big leagues and inspiring generations to follow in his footsteps.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

You know how bad my voice sounds -- well it feels just as bad.

You know this baseball game of ours comes up from the youth. That means the boys.

And after you're a boy and grow up to know how to play ball, then you come to the boys you see representing themselves today in your national pastime, the only real game -- I think -- in the world, baseball.

As a rule, some people think if you give them a football, or a baseball, or something like that -- naturally they're athletes right away.

But you can't do that in baseball.

You've gotta start from way down [at] the bottom, when you're six or seven years of age. You can't wait until you're fifteen or sixteen. You gotta let it grow up with you. And if you're successful, and you try hard enough, you're bound to come out on top -- just like these boys have come to the top now.

There's been so many lovely things said about me, and I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to thank everybody.

Vince Lombardi

Easily considered one of the best National Football League coaches ever, the great Vince Lombardi gave this final speech to his players on the Green Bay Packers prior to Super Bowl II on January 14, 1968. Lombardi's team defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-14 to win their second-consecutive Super Bowl. His legacy was later honored with the Super Bowl trophy being renamed the Lombardi Trophy.

Michael Irvin

Following a career with a few speed bumps, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver reflected as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 4, 2007. "The Playmaker" was emotional during the speech as he talked about mistakes he made, his relationship with his family and why no one should ever give up.

"I doubted I would ever have the chance to stand before you today. So when I returned home, I spoke with Michael and Elijah . I said, That's how you do it, son. You do it like they did it. Michael asked, he said, Dad, do you ever think we will be there? And I didn't know how to answer that. And it returned me to that threshing floor. This time I was voiceless, but my heart cried out. God, why must I go through so many peaks and valleys?

I wanted to stand in front of my boys and say, Do it like your dad, like any proud dad would want to. Why must I go through so much?

Knute Rockne

Immortalized in the college football movie "Rudy," Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne is remembered for two notable sports speeches. In addition to his "win one for the Gipper" speech, Rockne gave this memorable and motivational speech during his time coaching the Fighting Irish from 1918 to 1930.

During his time with the team, Rockne led Notre Dame to an incredible 105-12-5 record and five national championships.

"Well, boys, I haven't a thing to say. Played a great game ... all of you. Great game. I guess we just can't expect to win 'em all. I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years. None of you ever knew George Gipp. It was long before your time. But you know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame. And the last thing he said to me, 'Rock,' he said, 'sometime, when the team is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock,' he said, 'but I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

"And don't forget, men — today is the day we're gonna win. They can't lick us — and that's how it goes… The first platoon men — go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men!"

On September 17, 2001, less than a week after the country was shook by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck recited a heartfelt poem to the crowd at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Titled For America , Buck read the emotional poem to open the game, which was the first since the attacks.

Two years before he'd lead the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup Championship at the age of 37, National Hockey League goaltender Tim Thomas gave this motivational speech at the NHL Awards on June 18, 2009, while accepting the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the league.

His rags to riches story was told in the emotional acceptance speech and remembered as one of the best sports speeches of all time.

"I never really allowed myself to believe that I might win because it seemed like such a faraway dream. When you look at the names on the Vezina Trophy, they're legends, and it's humbling to even be mentioned in the same sentence. I've been more worried about getting my name on a roster than I have been about winning the Vezina Trophy... Throughout my career, there were so many times when I got my hopes up and had them come crashing down behind me."

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10 Most Inspiring Sports Movie Speeches of All-Time

"There's no crying in Baseball"

In practically every sport's movie, there comes a pivotal moment in the plot where a certain player, coach, or team needs to step up and make a passionate speech to inspire others. It's a necessity, and for many of these films it is the most memorable part.

RELATED: 10 Best Sports Movies to Watch if You Don't Like Sports

These speeches range from making you want to cry, to making you want top run through a wall. From Al Pacino 's "Inch by Inch" speech in Any Given Sunday (1999), to Rocky's emotional speech to his son in Rocky Balboa (2006), sports movies have some of the best speeches across film, and it makes them fun and iconic.

'D2: The Mighty Ducks, "Ducks fly together"

Gordon Bombay ( Emilio Estevez ) returns to Minnesota after a career ending injury with a chance to coach a United States team at the Junior Goodwill Games. He collects most of his previous Mighty Ducks squad, with a couple new additions. Bombay is not the same coach, frustrated with his own life, he runs the kids into the ground, and it effects their play.

Eventually, he is able to see what he is doing to the kids and gives a rousing speech during the championship game against Iceland, who beat them badly in the early part of the tournament. They swap out their Team USA sweaters for new Mighty Ducks ones and go on to win in a shootout.

'Remember the Titans' (2000), "You Blitz all night"

When the newly integrated Titans reach the State Semi-Finals, Coach Yoast ( Will Patton ), the former Head Coach, is told by the school board he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame once the Titans finally lose. This will also get Coach Boone ( Denzel Washington ) fired.

When the game starts, the refs are calling everything against the Titans, prompting Boone to lose his cool. It's obvious the game is rigged against them. Yoast recognizes what's happening, and rallies his defense, instructing them to "Blitz all night." In reality, not the best defensive scheme, but it works for the Titans, and this moment sends chills down your spine.

'Coach Carter' (2005), "Our deepest fear"

The only speech of these movies that has the player getting everyone else emotional. After Timo Cruz ( Rick Gonzalez ) is dismissed from the team and then reinstated, the team locks themselves in the gym with desks to prove to their coach that they can achieve the required grades to play.

Cruz drops an absolute gem of wisdom here, in an emotional speech in front of his teammates, and thanks Coach Carter ( Samuel L. Jackson ) for saving his life. "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." A lot of knowledge from a high school basketball player.

'Field of Dreams' (1989), "People will come"

After finally building the field, and having all these legendary baseball players, Ray ( Kevin Costner ) is pressured to sell his farm and the field, or the bank will foreclose him. His daughter Karin ( Gaby Hoffmann ) and Terence Mann ( James Earl Jones ) insist that people will come to watch.

Mann tells Ray that they'll be enthralled with recapturing their childhood innocence, and they won't think twice about handing over $20 to explore the grounds and take in a baseball game in the middle of Iowa. People love a good baseball game.

A League of Their Own (1992), "There's no crying in Baseball"

This isn't a very nice exchange, but it absolutely belongs on here. Jimmy Dugan ( Tom Hanks ), the broken alcoholic manager of the Peaches, really gets after Evelyn ( Bitty Schram ) when she makes a mistake on the field that gives the opponent the lead.

After he berates Evelyn, she starts to cry, which causes a mix of disgust and confusion in Dugan, prompting the line "There's no crying in Baseball!" Dugan then makes an inappropriate comment to the Umpire after he tells Dugan to treat the players like he'd treat his mother, which causes a big laugh for the Peaches and breaks the tension.

'Hoosiers' (1986), "I don't care what the scoreboard says"

Coach Dale's ( Gene Hackman ) pregame speech to the Hickory Huskers may be a bit cheesy, but it inspires young athletes to play for pride and as a team to this day. No matter how big and scary the opponent is or however long the odds are, you play for the person next to you.

It is a true movie moment that can resonate in real life all these years later. The slow clap is probably the cheesiest part, but that's ok, too. And of course, although they seem to be outmatched, Hickory comes away with the victory.

'Rocky Balboa' (2006), "It ain't about how hard you can hit"

Retired from boxing, in his 50s and now a widow, Philadelphia legend Rocky Balboa ( Sylvester Stallone ) enjoys managing his Italian restaurant named after his late wife, Adrian. However, a new Heavyweight champ, Mason "The Line" Dixon ( Antonio Tarver ) is criticized for having not beat a true contender.

When ESPN runs a simulation of Dixon and Rocky fighting in their prime, Rocky wins by knockout, inspiring him to renew his boxing license, which makes headlines. The two heavyweights set up an exhibition match , but when Rocky's estranged son Robert ( Milo Ventimiglia ) tries to deter him from fighting, pointing to his own failings as a consequence of Rocky's career, Rocky delivers this profound monologue about never giving up.

'Friday Night Lights' (2004), "Being perfect"

At halftime of the Texas State Championship for the Permian Panthers, Coach Gaines ( Billy Bob Thornton ) redefines how he views perfection to his team. For the entire movie, this Texas high school football team has been tasked with the weight of their entire community on their shoulders, expecting perfection.

Here, Gaines lets these kids know that this may be the last two quarters of football they ever play. He tells his team that perfection isn't about winning, it's about knowing you tried everything you could. That you could look your teammate in the eye knowing there wasn't anything else you could do, and that's ok. It is an emotional speech that sets up an emotional ending.

'Any Given Sunday' (1999), "Life is a game of inches"

Another football speech, this time for the underrated film Any Given Sunday. Coach D'Amato (Pacino) tells his team about his failures, and tells them they're in hell - but it's up to them together to drag themselves up and out. Comparing life's ups and downs to football, with inches of difference all around them that can decide an outcome.

Fighting for every inch, in life and in football, matters. And it's important to fight for what you want and what you have. It is truly one of the most riveting monologue that has ever been put to film. And among all of Pacino's performances, this speech really stands out.

'Miracle' (2004), "Great moments come from great opportunity."

The 1980 Olympics Gold Medal game between the USA and USSR lives on today as probably the greatest upset in sports history. Amateur USA players against professional Hockey players on Russia's side. Coach Herb Brooks ( Kurt Russell ) gives the greatest sports movie speech of all-time, pre-game to the Gold Medal match.

He tells his players they were born to be hockey players. That if they "played the Soviets 10 times, they might win nine," but that doesn't matter. All the matters is that for tonight, one game, they are the "greatest hockey team on the planet." Bone chilling speech and inspirational.

KEEP READING: 10 Movies That Will Make You Want to Join a Sports Team

5 Best Sports Speeches of All Time, Ranked

Sports speeches have the power to unite, inspire, and motivate people to achieve greatness both on and off the field. From coaches rallying their teams to victory, to athletes sharing their personal struggles, the power of words moves us more than any physical feat could. In this article, we’re ranking five of the best sports speeches of all time !

The Best Sports Speeches

#5 – jim valvano’s 1993 espy awards speech.

Valvano, a beloved basketball coach for NC State, delivered a heartfelt and courageous speech as he battled cancer. He shared his perspective on sports and life, emphasizing the importance of cherishing every moment and never giving up. In the address, he says, “I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have to spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going, to be enthusiastic every day.” From a man fighting terminal cancer, Valvano’s speech was moving yet inspirational, making this one of the best sports speeches ever recorded. He ended his heartfelt speech with these words: “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind. It cannot touch my heart. And it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.”

#4 – “The Greatest” by Muhammad Ali

Ali, known for his prowess in the boxing ring as well as his activism outside of it, gave this speech before one of his most highly anticipated fights against Sonny Liston in 1964. In this speech, Ali confidently claims that he is the greatest boxer of all time , captivating the audience with his charisma and self-assuredness. But what makes “The Greatest” memorable is Ali’s ability to address larger societal issues. He challenges the status quo and encourages standing up against racial injustice. Ali’s powerful words and unwavering self-belief made him not just a sports figure, but also a cultural icon and symbol of the civil rights movement.

“Don’t count the days; make the days count.” – Muhammed Ali

#3 – “The Pyramid of Success” by John Wooden, 1974

The speech was intended to provide Wooden’s players with a blueprint for success, both on and off the court. Wooden’s approach was centered around the concept of a pyramid, with each block representing a different element of success. The blocks included industriousness, friendship, loyalty, enthusiasm, skill, and cooperation , among others. Wooden emphasized the importance of focusing on the process, rather than the outcome, and encouraged his players to strive for personal growth and improvement. He also emphasized the importance of character and integrity, stating that those who conduct themselves with honesty and responsibility will ultimately achieve success. “The Pyramid of Success” is still widely taught and referenced by coaches worldwide.

#2 – “The Miracle on Ice” by Herb Brooks

“The Miracle on Ice” was delivered by coach Herb Brooks prior to the matchup between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. This speech is hailed as a defining moment in sports history, and here’s why:

The United States hockey team was considered a massive underdog against the dominant Soviet Union team. Brooks had the difficult task of inspiring his team and instilling belief that they could defeat the Soviets, who were heavily favored to win. Brooks emphasized the importance of playing as a cohesive team, and on the pride that would come from representing the United States with honor and determination. The “Miracle on Ice” game resulted in a stunning victory for the United States. The speech has become legendary due to United States’ incredible, unexpected win, solidifying it as one of the greatest sports speeches ever.

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#1 – “Luckiest Man” by Lou Gehrig 

During 1938, baseball legend Lou Gehrig began experiencing fatigue and physical difficulties while playing. When his condition worsened, he visited the Mayo Clinic and received the diagnosis of ALS. ALS would eventually take Gehrig’s life, but in his iconic speech delivered July 4, 1939, despite his body ravaged by the crippling disease, Gehrig states, “For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” What is the reason for Gehrig’s optimism? Gehrig credits the amazing people in his life , including his mother-in-law, parents, and wife, who was “a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed[.]” He closed his speech, “So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”

These top five best sports speeches have become iconic for their ability to capture the essence of sports and the human spirit. Because in the end, it’s not just about the games we play or the victories we achieve, it’s about the lessons learned, the relationships formed, and the impact made.

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127 BEST Tips How To Give A Motivational Speech In Sports (Easy)

• How to Give a Motivational Speech in Sports
• The Role of a Motivational Speaker in Sports
• Research and Familiarize Yourself with the Team or Athlete
• Set Clear Objectives for Your Speech
• Structure Your Speech
• Use Visual Aids and Props
• Engage the Audience
• Use Positive Reinforcement and Empowering Language
• Be Energetic and Passionate
• Adapt to the Atmosphere
• Provide Practical Strategies and Actionable Advice
• Reflect and Evaluate
• Provide Continued Support and Resources
• Long-term Impact
• Building Resilience and Mental Toughness
• Managing Pressure and Stress
• Developing Confidence and Self-Belief
• Creating a Shared Vision
• Promoting Communication and Trust
• Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion
• Setting SMART Goals
• Instilling Discipline and Work Ethic
• Cultivating a Winning Mindset
• Case Studies and Success Stories
• FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Please note

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only.  

Sports can be a thrilling and competitive realm where athletes are constantly striving for success.

In such an environment, motivation plays a crucial role in boosting performance and achieving goals.

A well-delivered motivational speech has the power to inspire athletes, help them overcome obstacles, and unleash their full potential.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various aspects of giving an impactful motivational speech in sports.

Understanding the Importance of Motivational Speeches in Sports

Motivation is the driving force behind an athlete's determination and commitment. A powerful motivational speech can ignite a fire within athletes, pushing them to give their best effort, persevere through challenges, and achieve greatness.

It serves as a catalyst for team cohesion, boosting morale, and fostering a winning mindset. A well-crafted speech can instill belief, instigate positive change, and create an atmosphere of empowerment and inspiration.

Establish Credibility: To gain the trust and respect of athletes, a motivational speaker must have credibility in the sports world. Past achievements, personal experiences, or expertise in sports psychology can bolster their credibility and enhance the impact of their words.

Understanding the Audience: Each sports team or individual athlete has unique dynamics, challenges, and aspirations. Tailoring the speech to resonate with their specific needs and goals is essential for maximum impact.

Inspiring Language: A motivational speech should be filled with powerful and inspiring language. Engaging storytelling, vivid metaphors, and relatable anecdotes can captivate the audience and evoke emotion.

A uthenticity: A genuine and sincere delivery is paramount. Athletes can easily detect if a speaker is insincere or lacks authenticity. Being true to oneself and speaking from the heart helps establish a connection and build trust.

Preparing for a Motivational Speech

A well-prepared speech increases the chances of leaving a lasting impression on athletes.

Here are some essential steps to ensure your speech is impactful:

Learn about their history, achievements, and challenges.

Understand their values, team culture, and dynamics.

Identify their current goals and aspirations.

Determine the main message you want to convey.

Craft specific goals you aim to achieve through the speech.

Tailor your content and delivery to align with these objectives.

Start with a compelling opening that grabs attention.

Develop a clear and logical flow of ideas.

Incorporate personal stories or anecdotes to connect with the audience.

Build up to a powerful and memorable conclusion.

Visual aids, such as slides or videos, can enhance the impact of your speech.

Props, like sports equipment or trophies, can serve as tangible symbols to reinforce key messages.

Delivering a Motivational Speech

A well-delivered motivational speech can make a significant impact on athletes' mindset and performance.

Here are some tips to ensure your delivery is effective:

Maintain eye contact with individuals in the audience.

Use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to engage and connect.

Encourage interaction by asking questions or involving athletes in activities.

Emphasize strengths, achievements, and potential.

Use affirmations, motivational quotes, and positive language to boost confidence and self-belief.

Convey enthusiasm and passion through your voice, tone, and body language.

Energize the atmosphere and inspire athletes with your own excitement and conviction.

Assess the energy and mood of the audience and adjust your delivery accordingly.

Be flexible in adapting your speech if unexpected circumstances arise.

Include practical tips and strategies athletes can implement immediately.

Break down complex concepts into actionable steps for better comprehension and application.

Post-Speech Follow-up

To maximize the impact of your motivational speech, consider these post-speech actions:

Assess the effectiveness of your speech by seeking feedback from athletes or coaches.

Reflect on what worked well and areas for improvement.

Offer ongoing support through follow-up sessions or resources like books or podcasts.

Stay connected with the team or athlete to track progress and provide guidance.

Cultivate a lasting relationship with the team or athlete to continue inspiring and motivating them beyond the speech.

Encourage a culture of motivation and positivity within the sports environment.

Overcoming Challenges and Mental Barriers

Sports can be mentally and physically demanding, and athletes often face various challenges and barriers that hinder their performance. A motivational speech can address these obstacles and provide strategies for overcoming them.

Emphasize the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

Share techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and mindfulness to enhance mental toughness.

Encourage athletes to embrace failure as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Discuss the impact of pressure on performance and mental well-being.

Provide strategies for managing stress, such as deep breathing exercises, time management, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Teach athletes to focus on the present moment and stay composed under pressure.

Address self-doubt and instill confidence in athletes.

Encourage athletes to celebrate small victories and recognize their progress.

Advocate for a growth mindset, emphasizing that skills can be developed through hard work and dedication.

Team Building and Collaboration

Motivational speeches in sports are not just about inspiring individuals but also fostering team unity and collaboration.

Here are some key elements to consider:

Highlight the importance of a shared team vision and goals.

Emphasize the power of collective effort and unity.

Encourage athletes to support and uplift one another.

Stress the significance of open and honest communication within the team.

Discuss the role of trust in building strong relationships among teammates.

Provide strategies for resolving conflicts and promoting a positive team culture.

Celebrate diversity within the team and highlight its advantages.

Encourage athletes to embrace different perspectives and experiences.

Foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Motivating for Peak Performance

Ultimately, a motivational speech aims to inspire athletes to achieve peak performance. Here are some strategies to maximize motivation and enhance performance:

Teach athletes to set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals.

Break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable milestones.

Provide guidance on creating action plans and tracking progress.

Stress the importance of consistent effort and dedication.

Discuss the role of discipline in achieving long-term success.

Share stories of athletes who have displayed exceptional work ethic to motivate and inspire.

Encourage athletes to visualize success and adopt a positive mindset.

Discuss the power of self-belief and the impact of positive affirmations.

Teach athletes to overcome self-limiting beliefs and embrace a winning mentality.

Including case studies and success stories in your motivational speech can provide real-life examples that resonate with athletes. Highlight stories of athletes who have overcome challenges, achieved greatness, or demonstrated exceptional teamwork.

These stories serve as powerful inspirations and reinforce the message that success is achievable through hard work, determination, and belief in oneself.

Q: What is the importance of giving a motivational speech in sports?

A motivational speech can inspire athletes, boost their performance, and foster a winning mindset.

Q: How can I establish credibility as a motivational speaker in sports?

To establish credibility, highlight your past achievements, personal experiences, or expertise in sports psychology.

Q: Why is it important to understand the audience before giving a motivational speech?

Understanding the audience allows you to tailor the speech to resonate with their specific needs and goals.

Q: What kind of language should I use in a motivational speech?

Use powerful and inspiring language, including engaging storytelling, vivid metaphors, and relatable anecdotes.

Q: Why is authenticity important in delivering a motivational speech?

Authenticity helps build trust with the athletes and ensures that your message comes from the heart.

Q: How can I prepare for a motivational speech in sports?

Research and familiarize yourself with the team or athlete, set clear objectives, structure your speech, and use visual aids or props.

Q: How can I engage the audience during my motivational speech?

Maintain eye contact, use gestures and body language, and encourage interaction through questions or activities.

Q: What kind of language should I use to motivate athletes?

Use positive reinforcement, empowering language, affirmations, and motivational quotes to boost confidence and self-belief.

Q: How can I deliver a motivational speech with energy and passion?

Convey enthusiasm through your voice, tone, and body language, energize the atmosphere, and inspire athletes with your own excitement.

Q: Should I adapt my speech based on the audience's energy and mood?

Yes, assess the audience's energy and mood and adjust your delivery accordingly.

Q: Is it important to provide practical strategies and actionable advice in a motivational speech?

Yes, include practical tips and actionable steps that athletes can implement immediately for better comprehension and application.

Q: What should I do after delivering a motivational speech?

Reflect on the effectiveness of your speech, seek feedback, provide continued support, and cultivate a lasting relationship with the team or athlete.

Q: How can I help athletes overcome mental barriers through a motivational speech?

Address challenges such as building resilience, managing pressure and stress, and developing confidence and self-belief.

Q: How can a motivational speech contribute to team building and collaboration?

A motivational speech can create a shared vision, promote communication and trust, and leverage diversity and inclusion within the team.

Q: How can I motivate athletes for peak performance through a speech?

Encourage setting SMART goals, instill discipline and work ethic, and cultivate a winning mindset through positive visualization and self-belief.

Q: Is it effective to include case studies and success stories in a motivational speech?

Yes, sharing real-life examples of athletes who have overcome challenges or achieved greatness can inspire and reinforce the message.

Q: How long should a motivational speech in sports be?

The length of a motivational speech can vary depending on the context and audience. It is generally recommended to keep it concise and engaging, typically ranging from 10 to 30 minutes.

Q: Should I use personal stories in my motivational speech?

Yes, personal stories can be powerful tools to connect with the audience and make your message relatable. Sharing your own experiences can inspire and motivate athletes.

Q: Can I use humor in a motivational speech?

Yes, incorporating appropriate humor can help lighten the atmosphere, engage the audience, and make your speech more memorable. However, ensure that the humor aligns with the context and does not distract from the main message.

Q: How can I handle nervousness before delivering a motivational speech?

To manage nervousness, practice your speech thoroughly, take deep breaths to calm yourself, focus on positive thoughts, and visualize a successful delivery. Remember, a little nervousness can actually enhance your performance.

Q: Is it important to rehearse a motivational speech?

Yes, rehearsing your speech helps you become familiar with the content, refine your delivery, and build confidence. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or seek feedback from trusted individuals to improve your presentation.

Q: Should I tailor my motivational speech to different sports?

Yes, it is beneficial to understand the specific sport and its unique challenges. Customizing your speech to resonate with athletes in different sports can make it more impactful and relevant.

Q: How can I connect with athletes on an emotional level during my speech?

Demonstrate empathy, show genuine care for their aspirations and struggles, and share personal anecdotes or stories that evoke emotions. Creating an emotional connection can deepen the impact of your speech.

Q: Can I use visual aids or props in my motivational speech?

Yes, visual aids and props can enhance the delivery of your message and make it more engaging. Use slideshows, videos, props, or even simple handouts to support and illustrate your points.

Q: Should I focus on individual athletes or the entire team in my speech?

Consider the context and purpose of your speech. If you are addressing a specific athlete, focus on their individual journey. For team speeches, emphasize unity, collaboration, and collective goals.

Q: How can I maintain the attention of the audience throughout my speech?

Vary your delivery style, use storytelling techniques, ask rhetorical questions, and involve the audience through interactive elements or group activities. Keeping the audience engaged ensures they retain the motivational message.

Q: Can I give a motivational speech virtually?

Yes, with the rise of remote communication, virtual motivational speeches have become increasingly popular. Utilize video conferencing platforms, share screens for visual aids, and make use of interactive features to engage the virtual audience.

Q: Is it important to adapt my motivational speech to different age groups?

Yes, consider the age and maturity level of your audience. Tailor your language, examples, and delivery style to resonate with the specific age group you are addressing.

Q: How can I make my motivational speech memorable?

Craft a compelling opening, use impactful storytelling, deliver key messages with clarity and passion, incorporate visual aids, and provide practical takeaways that athletes can implement in their lives.

Q: Can I use quotes from famous athletes or coaches in my motivational speech?

Yes, incorporating quotes from respected figures in the sports world can add credibility and inspire athletes. Choose quotes that align with your message and reflect the values you want to convey.

Q: Should I use technology during my motivational speech?

Using technology can enhance your speech, but ensure that it is seamless and does not detract from your message. Incorporate technology in a way that adds value and supports your content.

Q: How can I create a positive and encouraging atmosphere during my speech?

Maintain an optimistic tone, use encouraging language, acknowledge the efforts and achievements of athletes, and emphasize the potential for growth and success.

Q: Can I give a motivational speech to a small group of athletes?

Absolutely! Motivational speeches can be effective for both small and large groups. Tailor your speech to the specific needs, goals, and dynamics of the small group.

Q: Should I use statistics or data in my motivational speech?

Statistics and data can add credibility and context to support your message. Incorporate relevant facts and figures sparingly to strengthen your arguments and inspire athletes.

Q: How can I handle unexpected interruptions or distractions during my speech?

Maintain composure and adapt to unexpected interruptions or distractions professionally. Address the issue if necessary, or smoothly transition back to your main message.

Q: Can I give a motivational speech to coaches or sports staff instead of athletes?

Yes, motivational speeches can be delivered to coaches and sports staff to inspire and motivate them in their roles. Focus on topics such as leadership, teamwork, and supporting athlete development.

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Delivering an impactful motivational speech in sports requires thorough preparation, understanding of the audienceand effective delivery.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can become a skilled motivational speaker who empowers athletes and helps them reach their full potential.

Delivering a motivational speech in sports requires careful preparation, an understanding of the audience, and effective communication skills.

By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can become a skilled motivational speaker who empowers athletes to reach their full potential, overcome challenges, and achieve greatness.

Remember, a well-delivered motivational speech has the power to ignite a fire within athletes and create a lasting impact on their performance and mindset.

Now, go out there and inspire the next generation of champions!

Disclosure:    Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only.

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The 24 Best Motivational Speeches Our Employees Have Ever Heard

Published: July 19, 2023

It was halftime during one of my 7th-grade football games. And we were losing 14 - 0. With our knees planted in the grass, my team was quietly huddled, drenched in sweat and defeat. Suddenly, it was game over.

That's when our assistant coach burst into our circle and shattered our pity party, delivering one of the best motivational speeches I've heard to this day.

I can't directly quote him because he said some inappropriate things for a blog post (and, in hindsight, probably for a bunch of 13-year-olds too).

The point is he harnessed the power of words to rejuvenate a physically and emotionally drained team. And we came back clawing to win the game.

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Motivational Speech

A motivational speech can come from anywhere or anyone, but it usually has a specific audience in mind.

Whether it's a graduation speech, an all-company meeting, a championship sporting event, or a conference keynote, these speeches are designed to change how their listeners see the challenges facing them in the future.

Like in sports, being motivated at work is crucial for your performance. This rings especially true when you have a looming deadline, an important meeting, or colleagues or customers depending on your performance.

Think about the last time you felt generally unmotivated. What brought you out of that feeling? Sometimes all it takes to get you going is a good night's sleep or witnessing the benefits of your labor.

Still, other times, you might listen to someone say something that resonates with you — that alters how you've been looking at a particular task or problem.

Motivational speeches and speakers can come in all different forms, but this is the one thing they have in common — resonance. They resonate with the right listener at the right time and in the right way.

Who knows, this article is doing some for you right now. (I can dream, can't I?)

We selected 24 of the best motivational speeches from business, sports, entertainment, and other fields to help you stay motivated no matter what your work throws at you. Watch these videos if you want to feel inspired by a project.

Trust me, I was wiping my eyes after I saw them. And while the messages vary from speech to speech, they can put you in the optimal frame of mind for tackling and crushing your next big challenge.

(Disclaimer: Some speeches may contain NSFW language.)

Elon Musk: "The Importance of Never Giving Up" (2020)

Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Al Pacino: "Inch by Inch" (1999)

Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

The Best Motivational Speeches of All Time

1. elon musk: "the importance of never giving up" (2020), theme of speech: perseverance and resilience.

Elon Musk's "The Importance of Never Giving Up" speech about perseverance and determination is decisive.

In this speech, Musk emphasizes failing and learning from failures as keys to success. He recounts his life and career, demonstrating how he overcame challenges.

One key takeaway from Musk's speech is his advice to adopt a growth mindset.

Musk encourages listeners to view setbacks as learning experiences. He also highlights the value of perseverance, persistence, and taking risks.

Elon Musk's word serves as an upbeat reminder that perseverance, patience, and the desire to attempt things repeatedly in the face of difficulty are essential for success.

"If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it."

2. Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Theme of the speech: empathetic leadership....

The "Leading with Empathy" talk by Angela Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and compassion in leadership.

According to Ahrendts, leaders must view their employees as whole people with lives outside of work. Leaders can instill trust, respect, and mutual support in their employees and organizations.

Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of team mission as well. Leaders can inspire their teams by connecting them to a greater goal.

She believes that working together fosters creativity, innovation, and growth.

"Leading with Empathy" is a powerful reminder that leadership requires more than technical knowledge. To truly inspire and motivate their employees, leaders must understand their emotional needs and create a supportive, inclusive environment.

"Empathy is the glue that holds relationships together, whether they are personal or professional."

3. Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Theme of the speech: sleep and productivity.

The Huffington Post's founder, Arianna Huffington, emphasized the importance of sleep to overall health. In her 2023 speech, "The Power of Sleep," she discusses how sleep deprivation affects our health, productivity, and happiness.

Huffington observes that we have been taught to sacrifice sleep for success. She also mentions that well-rested employees are more creative, efficient, and effective.

To address these issues, Huffington proposes a cultural shift that recognizes sleep as essential to health and wellness.

She advises individuals and organizations to prioritize sleep, avoid technology before bedtime, and create a restful sleep environment. Sleep, according to Huffington, is a necessity, not a luxury.

By recognizing the importance of sleep, people and businesses can enhance their health, productivity, and general well-being.

Arianna Huffington's "The Power of Sleep" speech in 2023 emphasizes the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep deprivation.

It promotes a culture where getting enough sleep is essential for health and well-being.

"Sleep is the Swiss Army knife of health, it does everything."

4. Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

Theme of the speech: inclusion and diversity.

Apple CEO Tim Cook advocates for inclusion and diversity. He has been instrumental in the company's initiatives to advance fairness and equality inside its ranks and across the technology sector.

Cook has prioritized diversity and inclusion at Apple because he believes it is proper and necessary for innovation and business success.

Unconscious bias training, diverse recruitment, and employee resource groups contributed to his success.

Outside of Apple, Cook has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform. He has raised awareness of these issues and advocated for social change as a business leader.

Tech leaders and others have lauded Cook's commitment to diversity and inclusion. He has raised awareness of these issues, leading to significant change at Apple and elsewhere.

"Inclusion and diversity are not just buzzwords, they are fundamental values that drive innovation and creativity."

5. J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Theme of speech: failure.

In J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement speech, the Harry Potter author explored how two phenomena -- failure and imagination -- can be crucial to success.

While failure can help you understand where your true passion lies, and where you should focus your energy moving forward, imagination is what will allow you to empathize with other people so you can use your influence to do good.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

"You have to understand your own personal DNA. Don't do things because I do them or Steve Jobs or Mark Cuban tried it. You need to know your personal brand and stay true to it."

6. Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Theme of the speech: gender equality and leadership.

Sheryl Sandberg's 2021 talk, "Lean In," encourages women to lean into their careers and leadership roles. She urges women to stand up for one another and themselves to overcome societal and cultural hurdles.

Sandberg highlights the need to have distinct objectives and goals and be prepared to take calculated risks to achieve them.

She also underlines how crucial it is for more female leaders to advance diversity and gender equality across all industries.

Sandberg's speech also emphasizes collaboration. She urges women to mentor other women and look for sponsors and mentors themselves.

The "Lean In" talk by Sheryl Sandberg emphasizes women's voices and perspectives in all aspects of society.

To remove barriers and foster more inclusive and varied workplaces and communities, Sandberg urges women to pursue their professional ambitions with confidence and with the help of their communities.

"We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."

7. Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Theme of speech: taking risks.

Jim Carrey might make a living as the goofiest comedian around, but in 2014, he combined classic Carrey humor with unforgettable insight at Maharishi University of Management's graduation ceremony.

Jim Carrey opened his speech dishing punchlines, but he eventually opened up about his upbringing and the role fear plays in our lives. You can actually hear the amazement in the students' reactions in the video above.

“I learned many great lessons from my father -- not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

8. Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Theme of speech: life and career.

Considering the YouTube video of Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford commencement speech has 24 million views, it's likely that you've seen this one already.

In the speech, Jobs plays on two themes: connecting the dots (anecdote: how taking a calligraphy class helped inspire the design of the Mac) and love & loss (anecdote: how getting fired from Apple helped inspire his greatest innovations).

Perhaps the most memorable part his speech comes at the end, when he quotes the (now-famous) lines from the final issue of his favorite publication, The Whole Earth Catalog:

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

9. Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Theme of the speech: discovering true happiness and fulfillment in life..

In "The Pursuit of Happiness," famed actor and motivational speaker Matthew McConaughey provides his enlightened viewpoint on obtaining true happiness and fulfillment.

McConaughey presents a genuine and approachable study of what it means to live a fulfilling life through sincere storytelling and personal anecdotes.

The speech discusses the significance of authenticity and remaining true to oneself. McConaughey encourages people to define their success rather than succumb to social pressures or external expectations.

He stresses aligning our behaviors and decisions with our fundamental values and passions.

McConaughey expresses his conviction in the power of thankfulness and the importance of living in the present moment. He encourages people to create a grateful mindset, recognizing the blessings and possibilities surrounding them.

By appreciating the present and finding joy in the journey, individuals can experience more profound happiness and fulfillment.

"Happiness is not a destination. It's a state of mind, a journey, and a choice we make every day."

10. Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

In his 2011 UPenn commencement speech, Denzel Washington highlighted three reasons why we need to embrace failure in order to be successful. First, everybody will fail at something at some point, so you better get used to it.

Second, if you never fail, take that as a sign that you're not really trying. And third, at the end of the day, failure will help you figure out what path you want to be on.

“Fall forward. Here's what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out twenty-six-hundred times in his career — the most in the history of baseball. But you don't hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs.

Fall forward.

Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn't know that—because #1,001 was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

11. Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Theme of speech: perseverance.

Last year at INBOUND, Vera Jones told a moving story about the life lessons she's learned from raising her blind son.

She explains how having faith in your future and letting it lead you toward your true purpose will help you overcome blinding obstacles.

She also discusses how following your passion and trusting your vision develops empathy, which is a critical leadership skill.

“Passionately play your position no matter how bad things get. You are significant. Why we are here is not for our own glory. Ultimately, we're here to lead and serve everybody else. By doing that, we encourage others to do the same.”

12. Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Theme of Speech: Self-Belief and Confidence

Oprah Winfrey's 2020 speech "The Power of Self-Belief" emphasized the importance of self-assurance. She attributed her success to her unwavering self-assurance.

According to Oprah, self-belief is not about being arrogant or overconfident. She stresses the significance of overcoming self-doubt and fear, which can prevent people from reaching their goals.

Oprah used personal stories to demonstrate how self-confidence has aided her in life and work. She encouraged her audience to believe in themselves and to embrace their inner strength.

The Power of Self-Belief" reminded us how important it is to have faith in ourselves and our ability to succeed.

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."

13. Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Best known for his role in the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, actor Charlie Day had lots of wisdom to share during the 2014 commencement speech at his alma mater, Merrimack College.

Day explained to the audience how college degrees are inherently valueless, since you can't trade them in for cash. Instead, it's you, your hard work, and the risks you take that provide real value in life.

“You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing the things that will make you great. You cannot succeed without the risk of failure.

You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism. You cannot love without the risk of loss. You must take these risks.”

14. Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

The video above is an animated excerpt from researcher Brené Brown's speech, " The Power of Vulnerability ." In the speech, Brown explores how our fear of not being good enough (among other fears) drives us to shield ourselves from our own vulnerabilities.

The alternative to wearing this emotional suit of armor: Embrace vulnerability through empathizing with others.

"Empathy is a choice, and it's a vulnerable choice. Because in order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling."

15. Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

Theme of the speech: embracing dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of greatness..

Bryant emphasizes setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. Through captivating storytelling and personal anecdotes, he reveals the sacrifices and relentless effort required to excel at the highest level.

Bryant's speech is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and a growth mindset in attaining greatness.

The speech also explores embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Bryant shares how setbacks and challenges can fuel personal growth and resilience.

He encourages individuals to embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as motivation to push beyond their limits.

Bryant's speech goes beyond the realm of sports, offering valuable insights and life lessons applicable to all areas of life.

His relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering commitment to excellence inspires individuals striving to achieve their goals and dreams.

"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.'

We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it."

16. David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

From the opening minutes of David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech , in which he questions commencement speech conventions, it's clear that Wallace has some serious wisdom to share.

The crux of his speech: Many of us are oblivious to our own close-mindedness. We picture ourselves as the centers of our own, individual universes, instead of seeing the bigger, more interconnected picture.

“If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is and who and what is really important, if you want to operate on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable.

But if you've really learned how to think, how to pay attention, then you'll know you have other options.

It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer hell-type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred — on fire with the same force that lit the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down.”

17. Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Theme of the speech: cultivating a growth mindset for personal and professional development..

In "The Growth Mindset," Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, and author, delivers an enlightening speech on the power of adopting a growth mindset for personal and professional growth.

Dweck's extensive research on mindset and achievement provides the foundation for her impactful message.

Dweck explains the difference between a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their abilities are fixed traits, and a growth mindset, where individuals believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

She demonstrates how a growth mindset fosters resilience, learning, and innovation through relatable stories and compelling examples.

Dweck's speech resonates with individuals seeking personal and professional development, as she provides insights into how adopting a growth mindset can positively impact all areas of life.

Her research-based approach and engaging speaking style make "The Growth Mindset" an inspiring resource for individuals striving for continuous growth and improvement.

"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

Famous Short Speeches With Inspirational Takeaways

18. al pacino: "inch by inch" (1999), theme of speech: teamwork.

Yes, this speech is from a football movie (Any Given Sunday), but trust me: This isn't your stereotypical rah-rah-go-get-'em sports speech. It's deeper than that. It's about life, and loss, and ... gosh darn it just listen to Al Pacino.

He's pouring his soul out!

“Either we heal as a team or we're gonna crumble, inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me.

And we can stay here and get the $&#@ kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell, one inch at a time.”

19. Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Theme of the Speech: Empowerment and Collaboration

Satya Nadella's 2023 lecture, "Empowering Others," emphasizes the importance of leadership that empowers others rather than focusing on personal success.

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging in which everyone feels respected and able to accomplish their best work.

Nadella also discusses the significance of technology in positive development. Some of society's most important issues may be resolved by technology, but proper development and application are required.

According to Nadella, empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for outstanding leadership. He suggests that Leaders listen to and understand. their team members' needs and motivations.

Leaders can develop a culture of trust and collaboration that will help the team flourish.

Satya Nadella's "Empowering Others" provides a special message about leadership in the current day. By emphasizing diversity, empathy, and responsible innovation, Nadella encourages audiences to strive for excellence while being mindful of their impact on others and the world.

"Success is not just about what we achieve individually, but what we enable others to achieve."

20. Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Theme of speech: never give up.

I had to put this one next since it plays along the same themes as Denzel Washington's UPenn speech. In the scene above, from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, the title character (played by Sylvester Stallone) is having a heart-to-heart with his son.

The advice he gives him: Don't let your failures or the adversity you face slow you down. Keep. Moving. Forward.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

21. Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Theme of speech: don’t let them bring you down.

Here's another speech from the big screen, this time from the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the scene above, Will Smith's character explains to his son why he shouldn't pursue basketball (because he'll end up being "below average") before having a major change of heart.

“Don't ever let somebody tell you ... you can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they want to tell you can't do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”

22. Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Action and Overcoming Self-Doubt

The "The 5 Second Rule" speech by Mel Robbins promotes action to achieve goals and overcome concerns and doubts.

When confronted with a decision or action that needs to be completed but you are hesitating or procrastinating, countdown from 5, and then act. According to Robbins, this method breaks habit loops that keep us unhealthy.

Counting down and taking action may assist us in overcoming uncertainty and self-doubt and moving toward our objectives. For success, Robbins also promotes mentality and self-talk.

She believes that to realize our potential, we must consciously reframe negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.

Mel Robbins' presentation "The 5 Second Rule" is a practical and efficient technique to overcome procrastination and achieve goals.

Robbins inspires listeners to take command of their lives and achieve by emphasizing attitude, self-talk, and positive actions.

"You are never going to feel like doing the things that are tough, difficult, or uncertain, but you have a choice."

23. Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Spirit and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth examines the significance of perseverance and resilience in achievement in her book "The Power of Grit." According to Duckworth, grit—passion and determination—is essential for long-term success and overcoming obstacles.

Duckworth addresses grit and mentality, believing that people who view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than threats will develop resilience and determination over time.

She advocates for a growth mindset, which believes people can acquire intelligence and other qualities through hard work. Duckworth places a premium on rigorous practice to achieve skill and mastery.

She recommends soliciting feedback, setting challenging goals, and intentionally improving abilities and succeeding. Angela Duckworth's "The Power of Grit" illuminates long-term achievement.

Duckworth emphasizes attitude, focused practice, and resilience to urge listeners to acquire grit and pursue their passions with tenacity.

"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality."

24. Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

Theme of speech: inspiring and believing in your team.

The Miracle on Ice is still considered the biggest upset in Olympic hockey history. And for good reason. The Soviet Union won six of the last seven Olympic gold medals, and the U.S. team consisted only of amateur players.

It was obvious the Soviets were better. But, in the movie Miracle, which told the incredible story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Kurt Russell's character — Coach Herb Brooks — knew that this game was different.

The U.S. was better than the Soviets that day. And his speech conveyed such a strong belief in his team that they pulled off one of the greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

“If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game… Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can!

Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time.”

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Best Speeches from Coaches in Sports Movies, Ranked

From Herb Brooks in Miracle to Herman Boone in Remember the Titans, there are a number of great speeches given by coaches in sports movies.

Some of the most inspirational speeches have been given by sports coaches. Whether they are movies about football or movies about the Olympics , one thing they have in common is, at the moment of need, the head coach delivered an impactful speech that turned the game around for the players. The coaches in sports movies and even sports biopics play influential roles in their players' lives.

Most of the sports movies on this list are based on true life events, while some are fiction that made for great cinema. Regardless of the background, the one thing they all have in common is the coaches. While there are a number of great speeches given by coaches, here are some of our favorite speeches from coaches in sports movies, ranked.

7 Dan Devine — Rudy

"No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around."

Rudy is based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger , the five-foot-six defensive end who went through three rejections before being accepted to his dream school, Notre Dame. The film centers around his time at Notre Dame and his pursuit of a spot on the football team. Coach Dan Devine, played by Chelcie Ross, does not have many motivational speeches in the film. The one he does have comes from inside the locker room. It's short and sweet, but powerful.

Related: Best Coaches in Sports Movies, Ranked

6 Norman Dale — Hoosiers

"And most important, don't get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game. If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. In my book, we're gonna be winners!"

Also inspired by true events, Hoosiers takes place on the basketball court for a small-town Indiana basketball team. This speech took place at the Indiana Regionals final game during which the team had to face their toughest opponent yet. Coach Norman Dale, played by Gene Hackman, goes through his own journey in this film that shows him first as a tough "no attitude" coach to one who is backed fully by his team. It seems that both the players and the coach needed each other to win state.

5 Herb Brooks — Miracle

"Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here, tonight. One game. If we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world."

As one of the tougher coaches on this list, in Miracle , Coach Herb Brooks was not known to be an easy-to-like person. The strict coach of the 1980s US Men's Hockey Olympic Team may not have won a medal for the nicest coach around, but he sure as hell did as far as motivation goes. This based-on true events film covers the unconventional men's hockey team that Coach Brooks put together. The rag-tag bunch of college players ended up beating a seemingly unbeatable Soviet team to win gold in the 1980s Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

4 Jack Lengyel — We Are Marshall

"When you take that field today, you've gotta lay that heart on the line, men. From the souls of your feet, with every ounce of blood you've got in your body, lay it on the line until the final whistle blows. And if you do that, if you do that, we cannot lose. We may be behind on the scoreboard at the end of the game, but if you play like that, we cannot be defeated... How you play today, from this moment on, is how you will be remembered. This is your opportunity to rise from these ashes and grab glory."

Perhaps one of the saddest true stories in sports history comes from the story of the 1970 Marshall University team that saw 75 of its players, coaches, boosters, and trainers killed in a plane crash. In We Are Marshall , Jack Lengyel takes the position as head coach and petitions the NCAA to ask for their freshman players to take the field. The film goes through the healing that everyone in the school and the community goes through. The quirky coach inserts himself in the community and does his best to both honor the dead and show respect for the new players.

Related: The Best Sports Documentaries on Amazon Prime Video

3 Herman Boone — Remember the Titans

"If we don't come together, right now, on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed — just like they were. I don't care if you like each other or not, but you will respect each other. And maybe — I don't know — maybe we'll learn to play this game like men."

This speech takes place on the field where the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg took place. The Titans, who are the first football team to include both Black and white players, are headed by Coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, a Black man with zero tolerance for racism. During this speech in Remember the Titans , he reminds his players that respect is how they will come together, and with that, how they will succeed this season.

2 Gary Gaines — Friday Night Lights

"Can you live in that moment, as best you can, with clear eyes and love in your heart? With joy in your heart? If you can do that gentlemen, then you're perfect. I want you to take a moment. And I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want you to put each other in your hearts forever because forever's about to happen here in just a few minutes."

Friday Night Lights is based on the novel, Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger. Its plot centers around the 1988 Permian High School Panthers as they make a run for the state championship. Their star player is injured during the beginning of the season causing many to question the ability of Coach Gary Gaines, played by Billy Bob Thornton , to lead the team. They make it to the state championship despite their best player being hurt, which is where Coach Gaines gives his motivational speech. The team rallies, but it is not enough.

1 Tony D'Amato — Any Given Sunday

"We’re in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me. And, we can stay here, get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb outta hell one inch at a time."

Backed by a star-studded cast that includes Al Pacino, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, James Woods, and Jamie Foxx, the 1999 film Any Given Sunday follows a fictional football team. After the quarterback suffers an injury, it's up to the third string quarterback to give the team a chance to make the playoffs. As more than just another football movie, this film also touches on a female owner in a male-dominated field and an aging coach who is forced to reevaluate all he knows about football.

Top 20 Sports Motivational Speakers

Today's top sports speakers featuring athletes delivering powerful & inspirational keynote addresses.

No one understands perseverance and resiliency quite like an athlete. The pressures that accompany playing sports on a collegiate, professional, or international level seem to always bring out the best in star athletes, causing them to become forever immortalized in the public eye.

Within our list of the Top 20 Sports Motivational Speakers, we highlight the most captivating individuals who have left an indelible mark on the sports world through their remarkable stories and motivational prowess. Whether you're seeking a riveting keynote speaker for your next corporate event, an impactful voice to inspire your team, or simply seeking motivation from accomplished athletes, our carefully curated selection is sure to ignite the spark of inspiration and instill a winning mindset.

From Olympic champions to underdogs who defied the odds, these inspirational sports speakers will uplift, empower, and motivate audiences of all backgrounds.

Rudy Ruettiger (21 ratings)

Motivational Speaker, Author & Inspiration for the Award-Winning Film "Rudy"

Speaking Topics

• Inspirational
• Overcoming Adversity

Inky Johnson (16 ratings)

Sports Motivation Expert, Author, Mentor to Athletes & Underprivileged Youth; Former Collegiate Football Player

• Sports Motivation
• Family & Parenting

Lisa Leslie (12 ratings)

WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist & Author of "Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You;" Coach of Ice-Cube's BIG3 Basketball League

Michael Oher (7 ratings)

Founder of Oher Foundation for Disadvantaged Youth; Former NFL Player for Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans & Carolina Panthers; Super Bowl 47 Champion; Story Told in Movie "The Blind Side"

• Olympic Sports

Laurie Hernandez (8 ratings)

Olympic Gold Medal Winning U.S. Gymnast & Winner of Season 23 of "Dancing With The Stars"

Melissa Stockwell (9 ratings)

Paralympic Medalist, 3-Time World Champion, Ironman, Mother & Author

Nancy Kerrigan (8 ratings)

Two-Time Olympic Medalist & US National Figure Skating Champion; Fight for Sight Spokesperson

Earvin “Magic” Johnson (6 ratings)

Basketball Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Motivational Speaker

Tim Tebow (9 ratings)

ESPN College Football Analyst; Heisman Trophy Winner; Former Quarterback for NFL's Denver Broncos & Baseball Outfielder for the New York Mets

• Faith & Religion

Jim Morris (7 ratings)

Known for His Brief MLB Career & Subject of Disney's "The Rookie"

Bethany Hamilton (1 rating)

Professional Surfer & Shark Attack Survivor; Inspiration for the Film "Soul Surfer"

• Adventure Speakers

Allyson Felix (1 rating)

Track & Field Athlete, Olympic Champion & 12-Time Gold Medalist at the World Championships; Co-Founder of Saysh

Jessica Long (7 ratings)

16-Time U.S. Paralympic Gold Medal-Winning Swimmer, Author & Speaker

Darryl Strawberry (10 ratings)

Former American Major League Baseball Outfielder

• Mental Health

Jim Craig (3 ratings)

Gold Medal Olympian, Inspiration for Disney Film "Miracle," Entrepreneur, Sales & Marketing Executive

Andre Agassi (2 ratings)

Retired World No. 1 Tennis Player & International Tennis Hall of Famer; Olympic Gold Medalist, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Jackie Joyner-Kersee (3 ratings)

Olympic Legend, Philanthropist, American Record-Holder in the Long Jump & Founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

Scott Hamilton (2 ratings)

Olympic Gold Medalist Figure Skater, Three-Time Cancer Survivor & Best-Selling Author

Alex Honnold (1 rating)

Professional Rock Climber & Star of the Academy-Award Winning Documentary "Free Solo"

• Extreme Sports
• Environment

Brandi Chastain (4 ratings)

Defender on the U.S. Women's 1999 World Cup Champion Soccer Team

AAE Speakers is a full-service speakers bureau and talent agency that exclusively represents the interests of event professionals to select, book, and execute events with keynote speakers who leave a lasting impact on their audiences. We work tirelessly for event professionals as their centralized, trusted, and impartial partner in the talent booking process.

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