Quotes About Adversity

Great players have bad years.

When my first semester grades came out, my mom and dad told me I wouldn't be playing football.

Part of what makes college football great is what you learn playing it. Being selfless, learning how to go through adversity as a group, learning about perseverance.

Basketball is my first love. If my health had permitted me, I would still be playing, but I am glad in retrospect that everything happened the way it did.

You don't want a character who sits on an even playing field the whole time.

This game has done a lot for me personally. I've said this before, football really leveled the playing field for me as a person.

There's going to be different kinds of challenges on a yearly basis. You're going to have to overcome injuries, or you overcome a playoff loss or what have you. So there's always challenges in this business.

I mean, that's playoff hockey. You're not going to dominate every game, you're not going to score every goal.

When you watch Chris Paul on the playoff stage, you often sense he is fighting two battles, one against his nature and one against his opponent.

My favorite players in January aren't those living the charmed playoff life, but the guys who can get up when they're knocked down, who forget the last mistake so they can make the next big play.

It's easy to go somewhere where everything already is set up and they've been to the playoffs four, five years in a row. I've been on those teams. Those are great experiences.

It's the playoffs. You find a way to get through.

It doesn't matter if it's game one or game 82, playoffs or whatever. Sometimes the basketball gods don't play in your favor that night.

You never want an injury as you're getting ready for the playoffs.

Joe Montana had bad games in the playoffs against the Giants and Chicago Bears; that doesn't stop us from considering him as possibly the best.

There is just something about the playoffs and the atmosphere, and feeling like it's you against the world, that gets you going.

I think that type of mindset, no matter if you're 16-0, you're rolling through the playoffs, no matter what the situation is, there's always going to be somebody that's doubting you or saying something about you. I think for certain guys individually, it may be something that kind of gives you that extra kick.

There are going to be losses. There are going to be bad plays. There are going to be mistakes.

A couple of flop plays, a death in the family, and it could all collapse.

It is the best feeling in the world to have a close game come down to just a couple of plays and you are able to do it.

Now, although my life is still pleasant, the days of easy money are over.

It's not been a pleasant life.

It's not pleasant when you lose your whole football team.

Somebody saying something offensive to you or insulting to you is not pleasant, but it's part of life.