Sports Quotes For Confidence and Determination

Everybody could use a little inspiration once in a while. So whether you play sports and have a big game coming up or you’re just feeling a little down, famous quotes can help to invigorate your spirits and set you up for success.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of confidence quotes for both athletes and non-athletes. Keep reading to find our list of inspiring quotes that everyone will be able to benefit from seeing.

Best Short Sports Quote About Confidence

“I’m not intimidated by anything.”

Mike Tyson

This one is short, sweet, and to the point. It’s a good reminder to never allow yourself to be beaten before the competition begins.

Top Long Sports Quote to Build Confidence

“Belief in oneself is incredibly infectious. It generates momentum, the collective force of which far outweighs any kernel of self-doubt that may creep in.” – Aimee Mullins

What list of the top confidence quotes for sports would be complete without this? It’s the perfect encapsulation of the power of belief.

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Most Popular Sports Quotes for Inspiration

Now that we’ve highlighted two of our favorite quotes for athletes about confidence let’s look at some others in which you may find some value. Here’s the list.

It’s not bragging if you can back it up.”

Muhammad Ali

This quote from one of boxing’s all-time greats is the perfect reminder to have confidence in yourself when you know what you’re capable of achieving.

“Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.”

Lebron James

A great reminder about using failures as lessons from one of the NBA’s greatest players ever.

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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

Michal Jordan is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history. Yet, here he is showing us that even he failed many times throughout his life. It’s a good reminder that failure often sets the stage for future success.

“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

Venus Williams is one of the most respected and respectable athletes in history, full stop. If she says you can have an attitude when you believe in yourself, then there’s no debating it.

“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.”

 Herb Brooks

“You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.”

Michael Phelps

Phelps was one of the most dominant Olympians ever. He reminds us here that his incredible level of success is attainable for others as long as they have hard work and belief.

“A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.”

Jack Dempsey

This quote is a great encapsulation of the extra level people need to rise to become champions in their fields.

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”

Arnold Palmer

“Good. Better. Best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.”

Tim Duncan

“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

Homer reminds us here that self-motivation is the key to success in life. You’ll need it to truly achieve your goals.

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

Babe Ruth

Simple and straightforward from Babe Ruth. Sometimes the key to success is simply refusing to give up.

“If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.”

Ronnie Lott

If you didn’t believe in the power of positive thought before, this quote from one of the NFL’s most dominant players should be enough to convince you.

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Why Confidence is Important in Sports

Sports Quotes

Everyone needs to feel confident to achieve their goals in life. But confidence is essential in athletes, who have to perform in a very tangible way day in and day out to achieve their goals of winning championships, titles, and games.

Studies have shown that confidence has an impact on physical ability. That means athletes who possess confidence are able to perform better physically than they would be without confidence.

The life of an athlete can also be full of distractions. With promo deals and attention online and in person, it can be easy for star athletes to lose their focus and experience declining performance.

Having confidence in purpose helps athletes to remain calm and collected while performing at a high level – not just during games but every day at practices and training sessions that play a direct role in the amount of success the athlete and their team will achieve.

Finally, confidence can help athletes bounce back from disappointing defeats to come back stronger. This is a big reason you’ll find many quotes on determination in sports when you look online.

Feeling Inspired? Find a Job in Sports

If you’re feeling inspired and looking for a way to channel that newfound confidence, why not consider pursuing a job in sports? There are more positions available than you might think. Professional franchises need people with different skills – not just those who understand the sport at a high level.

JobsInSports.com maintains an up-to-date list of the latest job opportunities across the sporting landscape. So whether you’re in marketing, sales, medicine, or any other field, we’ll make sure you see the most rewarding job opportunities in sports for those positions first.


So why wait? You can create an account with us today to start getting immediate notifications for your preferred sports jobs.