From the fiery speeches of legendary coaches to the raw passion of its players, the game of American football is a powerful source of inspiration. These American football quotes capture the essence of sacrifice, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of greatness that defines the sport. Whether you need a pre-game spark or a life lesson, this collection delivers the motivational power of the gridiron.
The 10 Best American Football Quotes
These iconic lines have become synonymous with the sport itself.
- “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi
- “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” – Archie Griffin
- “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” – Vince Lombardi
- “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
- “You have to have a mindset of domination.” – Ray Lewis
- “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “If you can’t take a punch, you should play tennis.” – John Madden
- “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Leave no doubt.” – A common football mantra
5 Football Wallpaper American Football Quotes
Perfect for your phone or desktop background.
- “Leave no doubt.”
- “The grind doesn’t recognize talent.”
- “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King (often adopted in sports)
- “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
- “It’s a mindset. It’s not just a game. It’s a lifestyle.” – Ray Lewis
5 Lombardi Quotes (American Football Quotes)
The gold standard of coaching wisdom.
- “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.”
- “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
- “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
- “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
- “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”
5 Football Coach American Football Quotes
Wisdom from the sideline strategists.
- “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” – John Wooden
- “If you ain’t a dog, you’re a bone.” – Ray Lewis
- “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden
- “They are who we thought they were!” – Dennis Green
- “Do your job.” – Bill Belichick
5 Vince Lombardi American Football Quotes
A deeper look into the mind of a legend.
- “Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”
- “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”
- “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
- “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
- “The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”
10 Short American Football Quotes
Quick bursts of gridiron wisdom.
- “Leave no doubt.”
- “Iron sharpens iron.”
- “Do your job.”
- “All in.”
- “Trust the process.”
- “No excuses.”
- “Embrace the grind.”
- “The standard is the standard.”
- “One play at a time.”
- “Finish.”
5 Inspirational American Football Quotes
To lift you up and push you forward.
- “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” – Archie Griffin
- “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda
- “You have to have a mindset of domination.” – Ray Lewis
- “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Don’t let nobody steal your passion.” – Ray Lewis
5 American Football Quotes About Life
Lessons from the field that apply to every day.
- “Life is a lot like football… you have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.”
- “The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” – Joe Paterno
- “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi
5 American Football Quotes About Teamwork
On the power of unity.
- “Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan
- “The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back.”
- “We are one.”
- “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
5 Famous American Football Quotes
The most recognized lines in the sport.
- “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi
- “They are who we thought they were!” – Dennis Green
- “Do your job.” – Bill Belichick
- “Playoffs?!” – Jim Mora
- “I’m going to Disney World!” (The famous post-Super Bowl quote)
5 Best American Football Quotes
The absolute cream of the crop.
- “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi
- “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” – Archie Griffin
- “They are who we thought they were!” – Dennis Green
- “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi
- “If you ain’t a dog, you’re a bone.” – Ray Lewis
10 Funny American Football Quotes
Because the game has a lighter side.
- “If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn’t have given us arms.” – Mike Ditka
- “You throw the ball, three things can happen, and two of them are bad.” – Woody Hayes
- “I’d run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl.” – Joe Jacoby
- “My favorite kind of pass is a completed one.”
- “I’m not a football player, I’m a professional athlete.”
- “Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what the hell you’re doing.” – Chuck Noll
- “We didn’t lose the game; we just ran out of time.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Why is the stadium so hot? All the fans left!”
- “My knee hurts from the couch.”
- “I’m here for the snacks.”
5 Inspirational American Football Quotes
Redundancy for keyword emphasis and user intent.
- “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Don’t let nobody steal your passion.” – Ray Lewis
- “Greatness is a lot of small things done well.” – Ray Lewis
- “Leave a legacy.” – Ray Lewis
5 Motivational American Football Quotes
Designed to fuel action and effort.
- “The pain of regret is far greater than the pain of discipline.” – Ray Lewis
- “You have to sacrifice to be great. Period.” – Ray Lewis
- “I demand more from myself than anybody could ever expect.” – Ray Lewis
- “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.” – Bobby Knight
- “It’s a lot easier to turn a fox into a pig than a football player into a lawyer.” – The Longest Yard
5 Good American Football Quotes
All-around excellent quotes that resonate deeply.
- “Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.” – Vince Lombardi
- “If you can’t take a punch, you should play tennis.” – John Madden
- “You have to go get what’s yours, because it’s already yours.” – Ray Lewis
Conclusion: The Lasting Power of American Football Quotes
The enduring legacy of these American football quotes proves that the game is more than just a sport; it’s a metaphor for life’s greatest challenges and triumphs. They teach us about leadership, resilience, and the unbreakable power of a united team. Let these words from the legends of the gridiron be your guide, reminding you that whether on the field or off, the principles of hard work, passion, and teamwork always lead to victory.
Which of these American football quotes fires you up the most? Share it with your team today.
Anamika is the lead content writer for WholesalerJersey.com, where they combine a passion for sports with expert knowledge of the apparel industry. They specialize in creating informative guides and articles that help coaches, teams, and retailers navigate the world of custom and wholesale jerseys, ensuring they find the perfect gear for their needs.