13 October 2001, Miami, Florida
I'm hurt, dawg; don't ask me if I'm all right, Hell, naw. Joaquin [Gonzalez] said, 'Dominate,' and we're not doing it. I'm putting my heart in this shit. Let's go, man.
Vince Lombardi: 'It's not going to come easy', Super Bowl II - 1968
14 January 1968, Miami Orange Bowl, Miami Florida
You are the only team maybe in the history of the National Football League that will ever have this opportunity to do it twice. Boys, if I were you I would be so proud of that I would just fill up. It' not going to come easy. This is a club that's going to hit you. They are going to try and hit you. You are just going to take it out of them, just hit, just run, just block and just tackle. You do that and there is no question what the answer is going to be in this ball game. Keep your poise. There is nothing that they can show you out there you haven't faced a number of times. Right? Right!
Source: https://www.jerrykramer.com/
Ray Lewis: 'It Ain't About One Play', Post game address AFC Championship Game - 2012
20 January 2012, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachussetts, USA
God has never made a mistake. He’s never made one mistake. It ain’t about one play.
This year, we did what we were supposed to do, we fought as a team... There will be one Super Bowl champ crowned at the end of this year, that's it. So the way we feel, somebody gonna feel like that tomorrow, and somebody gonna feel like that in a week. That's a fact. And the fact is, we gotta come back and go to work to make sure we finish it next time. That's all we gotta do.
Joe, you played your ass off. You hear me, man? I'm telling you, man, don't ever — don't ever — drop your head when it comes to a loss, dog, because there's too much pain outside of this that people are really going through. This right here makes us stronger. Let's understand who we are as a team, let's understand who we are as men, and let's make somebody smile when we walk out of here. We got the opportunity to keep going, men. Let's be stronger as a team, men. Let's be who we are.
Ravens on three. One two three Ravens!
David Oritz: 'This is our fucking city', post Boston Marathon Shooting - 2013
20 April 2013, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Alright, Alright Boston
This jersey that we wear today
It doesn't say Red sox, it says Boston.
We want to thank you Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick and the whole Police Department
For the great job they did this past week.
This is our fucking city, and nobody gonna dictate our freedom.
Stay strong, thank you.
Tim Thomas: ' It's humbling to even be mentioned in the same sentence', NHL Awards- 2009
I don’t think the second time is going to be much easier.
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.
I’d like to say congratulations to the other finalists, you guys had unbelievable years too.
I’d like to dedicate this to all the people who believed in me, their belief never wavered from my earliest ages, my parents, who I would have loved being here today but they did me the favour of staying home and watching my children … so hi Kiley, Hi Kelsey, Hi Keegan.
And my wife, who has literally traveled around the world and never complained once.
...
Tony Romo: 'I feel like we all have two battles going on', Press conference after injury - 2016
15 November 2015, Dallas, Texas, USA
To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement, getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you've ever had was a soul-crushing moment for me. Then, to learn that it wasn't three or four weeks, but 10, was another blow.
Through it all, you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having let your teammates, fans and organization down. After all, they're depending on you to bring them a championship. That's what quarterbacks are supposed to do. That's how we're judged. I loved that. I still do. But then here you are sidelined, without any real ability to help your teammates win on the field. That's when you're forced to come face to face with that's happening.
Seasons are fleeting, games become more precious, chances for success diminish. Your potential successor has arrived. Your potential successor has arrived.
Injured two years in a row, now in your mid-30s. The press is whispering, everyone has doubts, you spent your career working to get here. Now we have to start all over. You almost feel like an outsider. Coaches are sympathetic, but they still have to coach, and you're not there. It's a dark place, probably the darkest it's ever been. You're sad and down and out, and you ask yourself, 'Why did this have to happen?' It's in this moment that you find out who you really are and what you're really about. You see football is a meritocracy, you aren't handed anything.
You earn everything, every single day, over and over again. You have to prove it. That's the way the NFL, that's the way that football works. A great example of this is Dak Prescott and what he's done. He's earned the right to be our quarterback. As hard as that is for me to say, he's earned that right. He's guided the team to an 8-1 record and that's hard to do.
If you think for a second that I don't want to be out there, then you've probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasn't left me. In fact, it may burn more now than ever. It's not always easy to watch. I think anyone who's been in this position understands that. What is clear is that I was that kid once, stepping in, having to prove yourself. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. If I remember one thing from back then, it's the people who helped me along when I was young, and if I can be that to Dak, I've tried to be, and I will be going forward.
I think you all know that something magical is happening to our team. I'm not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by coming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back and I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, it's about the team, that's what we've preached our entire lives.
I remember when I was a kid just starting out wanting to be apart of something bigger than myself. For every high school kid out there and college player, there's greatness in being the kind of teammate who truly wants to be part of the team. Everyone wants to be the reason their winning or losing.
Every single one of us wants to be that person, but 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 your relationships and achievement that you created through a group. It's hard to do, but there's great joy in that. All the while, your desire burns to be the best you've ever been. You can be both, I figure that out in this process. That's what separates sports from everything else. That's why we love it. That's why we trust it, that's why I still want to play and compete.
Lastly, I just want to leave you with something I've learned in this process as well. I feel like we have two battles or two enemies going on: One with the man across from you. The second with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you doesn't really matter. I think that's what we're all trying to do.
Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
Darrell Green: 'You bet your life I'm gonna cry'. Hall of Fame speech - 2008
2 August 2008, Canton, Ohio, USA
Thank you. Deacon Jones said I would cry. You bet your life I'm going to cry. You bet your life I'm going to cry. You bet your life, I will. That's my boy. That's my boy right there.
It ain't this 'n' that. It's that [son]. Thank God. What a great day. What a great day. I want to thank the committee, the selection committee, the ones who put me up here, some men and women that watched my career over those 20 seasons and said he should be here and he should be here now. Thank you, guys and ladies. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, this city, this organization, thank you for hosting me and my family and friends. Jared, you are the man. I'll tell you I haven't seen everybody, but I've seen a lot in the world and material and so forth. And I have a clear vantage point, a crystal-clear vantage point, of what things are really important. It's Jesus Christ, his people, his family, it's your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters. It's what makes me excited today.
A lot of people have traveled this with me. It's been a long time. The most special of them all is my parents. Both of my parents are deceased. They're the most special of them all, because I'm not here, I'm not here if they weren't here first. My dad, my dad, Leonard Green Sr., everybody said, "You're too little, you can't do it." He said, "Boy, you can run that ball."
They said no. And he said go. (Crowd laughs.) The most encouragement you can ever get in life is when a dad encourages his son. Encourage your son, that's what he did for us. I'd sure like to have a drumroll right now because I'm going to talk about the greatest mother in the world.
Am I going to cry? You gotta be kidding me. You don't know my momma and daddy. Gloria Green, baby, Gloria Green. She told me a story one day. I was about 10 years old. She said, "You know, the day you were born, I was in the room there, and they had me up on these things and nothing was happening. You weren't doing anything, and everybody left out of the room, maybe 20, 30 minutes." And all of a sudden she heard a scream. Somebody said, "Catch that baby!" She said, "You were about to hit the ground."
When I got into football, she said, "Don't let them big boys hurt you now." I remember the first day you were born. My parents were the best. My parents were the best. They were the best.
I thank the Lord for them. Even though my parents are gone, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate my accomplishments with the people that they left behind. Starting with the best seven siblings in the world. That's what I'm talking about. My two sisters, Linda Flannagan, Deborah Green. My oldest brother, Leonard Jr. My brother Lester, the real athlete, the one who taught me the ropes. My two younger brothers, Reggie and Elwin. And you asked me again, am I going to cry?
I even have 12 brothers- and sister-in-laws. Cathy, Katrina, Dana, Yolanda. That's on the Green side of the aisle. My brother Elmo. My brother-in-law Rick. And Len, his wife, Robin. Rudy, Greg, Cheryl on my wife's side, tons of aunts and uncles and nieces, nephews. And I can further on my mother as I acknowledge her three sisters. Fred, you talked about your dad. I have an aunt here. If I'm correct, she's 88. My aunt Odessa. She's representing my mom. I love you. Happy birthday.
My aunt Marie Lucas. She's here representing my mom and supporting me and my aunt Edith Howard. Love you, and thank you so much for coming and being with me. My uncle John is here as well. I thank all of you today. From the Redskins, 20 years she was like a mother. Her name is Ms. Barbara Fry, just like a mother to me. From the capital city, my nanna, Dr. Bernadine Lacy. No one can ever take the place of my mom, though. But this lady, for 23 years, she tried, and she's coming close. It's my mother-in-law, Ms. Francis Fenner. Thank you. I love you.
And out of this same group, I'll add to that group, a man who treated me like a son, a Hall of Famer, Mr. Bobby Mitchell. Thank you.
And my late father-in-law, Mr. Rudy Fenner Sr., they all had me covered. I love you all so much. Boy, I could use another drumroll right here, because I want to introduce the first family, the greatest family in the world, starting with my son. You guys obviously have seen him. Jared. They're probably sick of me telling you how much I love you, man. I love you, buddy. My oldest daughter Crystal is here with us today. My middle girl Jerrell. My baby girl, Joi. Joi Elizabeth. They're here with me today. (Crowd laughs.) And then there is the queen. My lovely wife, over 23 faithful, faithful years, Ms. Jewell Green. I love you, baby.
My biggest supporter. A true Hall of Fame wife. I love you. Just a quick going through this process of trying to acknowledge friends. Quick shout-out to Jesse H. Jones High School and community. To young people in that community, this is what you can do. This is what you can do.
To my college football alma mater, Texas A&I, the Javelinas of Kingsville, Texas. My teammates. You guys can stand up with your blue on. It's a Redskins day. The people of Kingsville, Texas. And also to my friends down at St. Paul's College, where I finished up my academic degree, thank you.
It's a lot of teammates and a lot of years, over 20 years of football. I have a few guys here, and I'd like to try to acknowledge a few. I can't do them all. I had three roommates in those 20 years. And I didn't like any of them. (Crowd laughs.) My friend Vernon, VD, Dean, was one. Scott "Shall Rock" Turner. And my man, a brother from another mother, Tim, I won't call him big anymore because he's a pastor, Johnson, at Orlando World Outreach Center. You guys were good roommates and teammates. Other guys here, my buddy Johnny Thomas. Martin Mayhew is not with us today, but Kent Coffey, Curtis Jordan, Ricky Sanders, Gary Claude, Rick Walker, Mark Mosley, Jim Irsay, Ray Brown, Charles Mann, Ken Harvey, Kinnard Lane. And a very special recognition for the late, just this year, Kevin Mitchell, DeShawn Taylor, two young men. That's right.
The Redskins Nation stick together. OK. I gotta get through this. Other special friends on the Redskins from years back. Mr. John Cooke and coach Larry Peccatiello on the defense and Torgy Torgeson, GM Charley Casserly, B.J. Blanchick, my assistant, Dan Riley, Jay Byrd, Al Bellamy, John Jenkins and Lego, they used to take care of the football field. That's how I could play 20 years. Those guys took care of the field. We didn't have the synthetic stuff. Thank these guys. And also the late Nate Fine and Joe Cuso, just to name a few. But they were the best. I finished up my last season probably three or four seasons under the great leadership, and I thank him today of Dan and Tanya Snyder.
And any of you all, as they used to say in my church, if you know prayer, pray for Tanya Snyder. She's been under the weather. Just pray for her. She's a good friend. Arlette Snyder, Dan's mom, and Michelle, and my good buddy, the late Jerry Snyder, who I consider my personal friend. Dwight Short and the rest of the management team who supported us for so many years as well, thank you so much for being here with me.
To the most football knowledgeable faithful, most caring folks in the world, the Redskins' faithful, our fans:
We share this day with all of you. Here and all over the world, back home and everywhere else. God bless you. Thank you. Now, I'd like to move on real quick.
Now, over the last six months I've been trying. I've been living in a constant state of what I call introspective meditation. Basically trying to discover my story. It's been hard. And in doing so I found that there's so many stories within my story. And so I guess they can start the clock now. I'm going to try to finish this up. I've already mentioned to you an incredible story my mom told me about the day I was born, and just the mercy and grace of someone seeing me. This is 1960. You can imagine what it was like then.
And so I'm grateful for that. And there's another story, unique story. I met in 1971, I think I was in sixth grade, I met two guys. One was Carnel Green and one was Clem Greenwood. These guys over time became my closest friends. Throughout my entire childhood, my school-aged years. We went over to Addicks Junior High School in the seventh grade. We decided, Clem and I, we were going to play football. We decided we would go and play for Bastian Elementary School, the school we just graduated from. We decided we would make the mile run home each day, because it would be better for us to play with kids more our size as opposed to kids our age.
And so we did it. Coach Jefferson and Coach Smith, they welcomed us and gave us an incredible opportunity. After we finished up that season, we were eighth graders, and though Addicks had eighth-grade football, Clem and I decided, you know what, we probably ought to just skip it. We're not going to play anymore. And so we went on through life and in 11th grade I went over to Jones High School. And I met coach John Smith and Coach Bayer, coach Roland Rogers. In 11th grade Clem didn't come and I said, "Coach, I'd like to play football." He looked at me, obviously about 5-foot-nothing and 100-and-nothing pounds, but they put me on the junior varsity and I played. I did well. And the next year, coach James Bo Humphrey, he's here with us today, he invited me to play and start at the cornerback position. About 145 pounds on my senior team as a varsity player.
And at that point I realized I was on my way, baby. I'm on my way. Hey, Coach, I see you back there. Yes, sir. Thank you. Coach, I'm going to tell on you, they told me this was the first time ever flying in your life and you're 79 years old. You all think that Hall of Fame is that important. Give him a hand.
But I was on my way at that time. And I needed to figure out how I could take this thing to the college level. An opportunity came again in the form of coach Fred Jonas. He came up and met with Coach Humphrey, and Coach Humphrey said, "I've got a little kid you might want to look at." Came over and talked to me and said, "Look here, son, I think I'll give you an opportunity. I don't have a scholarship for you, but we can get a grant." I said, "Coach, let me check my options first. I'll take it." (Crowd laughs.)
So I went with him. And when I went to school, Carnel went with me, too. He wasn't a football player but he went as well. And I was homesick from day one. As a matter of fact, Coach, you got my $20 my momma gave me. I want it back. (Crowd laughs.) She gave me $20 to ride the Trailway home, and I attempted on several occasions to escape, and he took my money. But one day Carnel said, "Man, I've got us some guys. We're going home." Met a guy from another school. He drives a car. And somehow our wires got messed up and they left me. I cried the whole weekend.
And Monday morning they were talking about this car wreck. And it was Carnel and them. And he didn't make it. He didn't make it. And I didn't make that ride either. I went home after that last game, Coach, remember? I went home. I couldn't take it. I was homesick. I lost my friend. I went home and got a job, went to night school. Grew up a little bit. And I came back to A&I a year and a half later.
Fred was gone. We had a new coach, coach Ron Harms, and he welcomed me in real quickly. Started me right off the bat. And a new opportunity came to me again in just those short three years. Now I'm about 165, 170, depending on who is saying it, and an opportunity came knocking again. A man by the name of Bobby Benson.
So they drafted me. They drafted me, put me in the draft. I'm going to the Redskins, and two weeks before I get ready to go, I'm at home. I'm pulling up on a Sunday morning to my mom's house after church. This young girl from the community runs up to my car and she's screaming and hollering. And she said Clem took his own life. And so I came to Washington, D.C., both of my buddies were gone. My sixth-grade best buddies. It was tough.
But when I went back to A&I, I met a family. They were the Melendez family and a good friend named Doug Taft, and they told me about a man named Jesus. Jesus saved my soul, gave me a different perspective on life. He showed me I could be a man and walk right, the things my son talked about. I can have integrity. I can be honest. I can be faithful. I can be true.
And so I brought what my parents had taught me and what Jesus had said, and I put that to work in my NFL career. And God told me not to leave Washington, D.C., so I was there for 20 years. That was during free-agency time.
Yes, I was a part of that. I was a part of that free agency. But God had a plan for me. I stayed the course. Not only did I stay the course on the field, I stayed the course faithfully to this woman for almost 24 years. Faithfully to my community. Faithfully to my pastor, pastor Brett Fuller, and the Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Va., faithful to my community and the centers and the other works and faithful to the people.
And so I stand here today, and I'll say to you something that is somewhat unique. But before I do, I want to say as well I acknowledge Bobby Benson that turned me over to Joe Gibbs.
And he turned me over to Richie Petitbon. He turned me over to my Hall of Fame buddy, coach Emmitt Thomas, and later on coach Tom Hayes. And a real shout-out to my good friend who helped me even from the offense, Terry Robiskie.
And I continue to move forward. Continue to stand strong. But these are the men and women, the people who have given me the opportunity to stand up here. They've given me the support to stand up here. And so as I prepare to close, folks, there's two things that I know: Number one, no matter how gifted you are, or how hard you work, there's no one willing to give you an opportunity, it doesn't mean a thing.
Secondly, I believe that this day is a part of the continuation of God's sovereign purpose and righteous destiny for my life. And that being knowing Jesus, loving him and making him known. I did that even as a professional football player everywhere I went.
And that was done through the visibility, the influence, the access, all that God gives us, the Lord gives us, while we play a childhood game. Can I tell you today at the expense of sounding real self-righteous, I belong here. I belong here.
I belong here. I belong here because I know what to do with it. I know what to do with God's fame, with God's dollars, with God's visibility, God's influence and relationships. I know what to do with it.
To Jesus be the glory. Thank you. Bless you.
Unknown: 'Thumbs up everybody, for rock n roll', Kid learns how to ride bike - 2011
YouTube upload, 2011
I feel happy of myself.
Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself.
If you believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike.
If you don’t, you just keep practicing.
You will get the hang of it, I know it.
If you keep practicing, you will get the hang of it, and then you can get better and better at it
[Give me some thumbs up]
Thumbs up everybody, for rock and roll.
Joe Marler: 'Get back on the horse', Harlequins v Bath pre game interview - 2019
21 November 2019, Twickenham, London, United Kingdom
I wasn’t hurting as much as the lads who were out there, but I definitely felt it and I know how hard the boys have taken that.
They will be disappointed with the account we put out but we have got another week to get back on the horse and take that horse to the water, and you can ask that horse, 'hey horsey, do you want to have a drink or do you want to swim?'"
It is up to that horse to then realise what he wants to do in his life, and that horse at the moment wants to go out on Saturday and he wants to clippety-clop all the way to the Stoop and he wants to say hello to those fans and he wants to say [horse voice] 'I'm sorry about the result last week but I'm going to give a better performance here at home against Bath.'
He is a slightly Irish horse. So we are looking forward to getting back on that horse.
Are you yourself looking forward to getting "back on the horse", six months since we last saw you?
I don't like horses. I can't ride.
Brett Hull: 'Make sure you listen to your mother', Hockey Hall of Fame - 2009
9 November 2009, Toronto, Canada
I’ve got to congratulate Lou (Lamoriello) and Steve (Yzerman) and Luc (Robitaille) and Brian (Leetch) . . . when they call this is a class, they had you four in mind, I can tell you that.
We don’t have a lot of time to thank everyone. But I would certainly be remised if I didn’t thank a few.
To the St. Louis Blues and my friend Susie Mathieu . . . she did more for me in the time I was there – on and off the ice – and I can’t thank her enough. Ron Caron, the professor, we all know and love. He saw my potential when a lot of people didn’t. Brian Sutter, he made me realize and reach that potential . . . that the professor saw.
The Detroit Red Wings, the Ilitch family. They are just wonderful people to work with, as I’m sure Stevie (Yzerman) can attest to. Ken Holland, he gave me the opportunity to play for what might be the greatest team ever assembled. And Scotty Bowman, the greatest coach that ever coached the game. I am honored to have won a Stanley Cup with him.
To the Dallas Stars, who I’m still very proud to be a member of, and the whole organization. Tom Hicks and his family, who are passionate and determined to bring another Stanley Cup to the city of Dallas. Bob Gainey and Ken Hitchcock, they gave me the opportunity to win my first Stanley Cup and I’ll never forget them for that.
My mother, who gave me love and support only a mother could give. She gave me my laid-back, easy-going attitude and my razor-sharp wit that I use daily with the media.
My father, you gave me giant footsteps to follow. You taught me to speak my mind. You gave me the best advice in your own unique way that you could have ever given. And I quote: ‘The further you are from the play, the closest you are to it.’ I am really fortunate that I was able to figure out what the hell he was talking about.
To Bobby, Blake, Bart and Michelle . . . my brothers and sisters, you were always there with me. When I climbed out of the gate for my first game, and I scored my first goal, and when I raised the Stanley Cup, you were always there with me.
To my kids, Jude . . . I’m so proud of you, how you’ve become a mature and passionate young man. And I’m not sure where it happened . . . but between your great-uncle Dennis and your grandpa (Bobby Hull) and me, we have 1,654 goals . . . and you’re a goalie.
To Jade, you’re only 13 and you’re wise beyond your years. Your enthusiasm and willingness to try anything puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Crosby, my little pumpkin, you’re a friend to everyone. Your warm heart and infectious sense of humor can lighten up the darkest room, and I love you all very much.
Make sure you listen to your mother because she was a great role model and a mentor and you’re lucky to have her.
To my wife Darcy . . . I love you because you get me. You accept my faults and just because you’re you. I’m very lucky to have you as my best friend.
We’re supposed to be here celebrating why I did in this game. But I want to talk about what this game gave to me: and that’s everything and more than I could ever dream of. Unforgettable teammates, many who are hear tonight. I thank you for making this trip to be here for me, and I’m proud to call you my friends.
As teammates, we can’t always be together, but when we do, it’s like time stands still. We won’t be able to see Peter Zezel anymore, and we will miss him dearly. And I can’t think of a better place to honor him, and his family, than right here in this most special place.
The game gave me a chance to do what I loved in the grandest of places . . . Chicago Stadium, right on through to here in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens. It gave me the opportunity to play and become friends with Wayne (Gretzky), simply the greatest player who ever lived. He didn’t just play the game, he is the game and always will be.
I accept this honor for all those playing pickup, beer league and senior hockey, who never got the opportunity that I did. For every mom up at 5 (a.m.), who drives to practice . . . every dad working overtime to buy equipment and a pair of tickets to take his kids to an NHL game.
Every teammate that sacrificed, every trainer that patched me up and every stick boy that brought me a cold one after the game. Nothing in life is worth a damn without friends. And I cherish all of you that are here with me and those of you that couldn’t come tonight.
I’m grateful for every one that touched me in this great game, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wayne Gretzky: 'Am I hot, yeah I'm hot', Olympic Games presser - 2002
18 February 2002, Utah, USA
I don't think we dislike those other countries as much as they hate us. They don't like us, they want to see us fail, they love beating us. They may tell you something different, but when you're on the ice, that's what they say. They don't like us.
We gotta get that same feeling towards them.
I mean right now it's comical listening to things that are being said. It almost sickens my stomach to turn the TV on because I'm such a proud Canadian and such a fan of our game and very proud of all the guys in the locker room, and it makes me ill to hear some of the things that are being said about us.
Well, it's just not very good.
And what's really annoying to me, in the seventies we went through this whole thing about hooliganism and all that sort of stuff. If we would've did what they did tonight, it would have been a big story. I think the guy should be suspended for the rest of the tournament.
If it was a Canadian player that did it it would be a big story. But a Czech player did it, it's okay.
Yeah I just don't understand it.
You guys saw it. If I'm wrong, I'd apologise. But one of the things we've gotta eliminate out of our game is that kind of stuff, and if a Canadian did it, it would be big news.
But a Czech does it, and it's okay.
And I don't understand it. There was a spear, and a cross check in the same play ... I don't get it.
There should have been four or five penalties, blatant penalties, an should have been two or three suspensions. Am I hot? Yeah I'm hot. Because I'm tired of people taking shots at Canadian hockey.
When we do it, we're hooligans. But when Europeans do it, that's okay because they're not tough or they're not dirty,. That's a crock of crap.
...
Peter Gordon: 'It's better to die on our feet than live on our knees', Fightback rally, Footscray Football Club - 1989
8 October 1989, Whitten Oval, Footscray, Australia
I suppose we are all here today because we believe it's better to die on our feet than live on our knees.
This spot where I'm standing now is where Ted Whitten rubbed Dick Clay's nose in the mud one day. I can remember being here in 1985 when this ground was jammed with 32,000 people watching us take on and beat Essendon. I can remember Brian Royal that day bursting through the centre and kicking a magnificent 70 metre goal. I can remember later that same year Stephen McPherson taking a screamer in atrocious conditions against Hawthorn and kicking an inspirational 50 metre goal with the greasy ball - a kick which gave us second spot on the ladder.
I was there the day that Simon Beasley marked that famous Graeme Allen short pass on the back line and won the match for us on the last kick of the day against Collingwood. I can remember too Rick Kennedy hitting someone just about on this spot - and that spot over there - and over there. Matter of fact, I think he's hit someone just about everywhere on this ground.
When I was a kid I used to come to the footy with my dad, and my room at home was full of posters of Teddy Whitten, George Bisset, and Gary Dempsey. Now I come here with my little boy, and his room at home is full of posters and stickers, just like mine used to be.
That's a part of the tradition of this club and the tradition of this town; a tradition under threat from the faceless men of the VFL. Ross Oakley is trying to tell you that the VFL had no alternative for Footscray but this merger, or extinction, but that's simply not true. They could have chosen to support us as they choose to do the interstate clubs; the financially cancerous Sydney Swans, Brisbane and the West Coast Eagles.
There are some people I'd like to pay tribute to for their role in giving us the chance to fight. They are Steve Palmer and Tim Ginnane who donated their legal services for the court challenge to the merger. And I'd like to call Irene Chatfield up here. . ."
Irene receives the applause of the crowd, then Peter continued...
Ladies and gentlemen, it is with a great deal of pride and admiration that I now ask you to welcome out onto the field the Footscray Football Team for 1990.
The players came in close-knit group, proud and defiant, other players on holiday and unable to attend had sent messages of support, as Gordon paid tribute to their courage in attending the rally.
There's been a lot of talk about the VFL banning them from coming here today. They knew their careers could be in trouble, but they've still stuck their necks out, and I really admire them for that.
Peter Gordon then introduced the Footscray Board of Directors for 1990 and announced their first decision - the appointment of former back pocket player Terry Wheeler as senior coach for 1990.
You see before you the basis for a Footscray Football Club in the 1990s. We have a board, we have a team and we have a coach. Our players are still here, ready to play for the club; they aren't scattered all around Australia, playing for other clubs. But this may be the last time you see a Footscray football team assembled at the Western Oval.
It's up to you. I'm asking members of the Footscray football community who are here today to put in hundreds of dollars today. I'm asking for people, if they can, to put in a thousand dollars today. You have a commitment, backed up by the Footscray Council, that in the event that we fail, you will get that money back. I understand that to ask people like you in these harsh economic times to part with that sort of money is a very difficult request. It will hurt. But when you think of that hurt, think about how you felt on Tuesday.
Think of how you'll feel in four weeks' time when they announce the draw for 1990 and Footscray's not in it. Think of how you'll feel at the opening game of next year when Footscray aren't there, and the knowledge that they'll never be there again. We'll be there if you're prepared to commit, and I mean each and every one of you, the sort of money I'm talking about.
The people who are offering themselves as the board in 1990 have, I believe, the blend of talent and expertise necessary to turn this place around. We've got to take it on the chin that this place has not been as well managed as it ought to have been over the last eight years. We've got to take it on the chin that not enough people in our community have financially contributed to the club.
This is our last chance. Today we have the power to keep Footscray at the Western Oval. It doesn't matter what the VFL do. It doesn't matter what Oakley does. It doesn't matter how bad John Elliott feels sitting up there watching football at the Western Oval. Today, we have the power to stop these men in their tracks and wreck their plans.
We have the power to tell them all to jump in the lake.
Tables, staffed by volunteers, were set up in strategic locations as collection points. As queues formed, a succession of impassioned speakers urged the crowd on.
New coach Terry Wheeler said that for him, the importance of the struggle was in preserving the club for future generations. He wanted his own children, Tim and Sheridan, to grow up in a community that would inspire them to value Footscray as he did.
I believe there's nothing on this earth that we own. All we do is look after it for our children.
Matt Quartermaine: 'Thinking of you 2019', Footy Almaanc Grand Final Lunch - 2019
At the same event in 2019, comedian Matt Quartermaine penned this speech: ‘Thinking About You West Coast Eagles’
27 September 2019, Old Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
(With apologies to Martin Flanagan... again)
Thinking of you 2019 AFL season, the 30th year of Australian Rules football under the AFL banner.
Thinking of you water boys, who can only come onto the ground now after a goal, or as it’s called on the Gold Coast; dehydration.
Thinking of you Joel Selwood a Captain who bleeds by example.
Thinking of you Nathan Buckley the most likeable Collingwood coach since...
Thinking of you Roaming Brian hoping your next segment is called Silent Brian.
Thinking of you stab pass, the only kick that sounds like a Game of Thrones location,
Thinking of you AFLX, especially when I need to cure my constipation.
Thinking of you Goal square. What are you doing here? Why do you even exist? What is your purpose anymore?
Thinking of you Kevin Bartlett and never ever forgetting Finey.
Thinking of you Premiership quarter especially all those teams that won the premiership quarters but not actual premiership.
Thinking of you AFL theme rounds because next year the AFL will expand the theme rounds to honour teams not going into the finals in the See Ya Round Round, the Italian community in the Rissole Round and the sexually ambiguous in the Bye Round.
Thinking of you GWS or as I like call you a team made up of players that could have been in my team.
Thinking of you sacked coaches, throwing empty tinnies at the TV, watching his ex team win the very next game with all the same people except him.
Thinking of you concussion.
Thinking of you concussion.
Thinking of you National Anthem when 90,000 people stand as one, bow their heads and think of their team winning.
Thinking of you Hawthorn GWS Snow game in Canberra, because that was the most snow in Canberra since the Christopher Pyne’s going away party. “(Sniff) Who wants to buy some guns?”
Thinking of you Dusty, a player so famous he’s known by only one name like Beyonce, Drake and Gasometer.
Thinking of you behinds. No not the football ones
Thinking of you Collingwood supporters... but only when I need cheering up.
Thinking of you Steve Smith, because if they drug tested him, he'd piss runs!
Thinking of you Willie Rioli, who has made coaches everywhere terrified of the Gatorade shower.
Thanking you 2019.
This was performed at John Harms’ The Footy Almanac’s Grand Final Lunch as a follow up to last year’s ‘Thinking About You West Coast Eagles’. The site is sportswriting written by fans, for fans. It’s motto, ‘Sport. From the Heart’.
Mike Tyson: 'He's a different breed of person. He's not like us', Tribute to Muhammad Ali, I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast - 2019
March 2019, USA
This was an interview on Michael Rapaport’s ‘I am Rapaport Stereo Podcast’
What made [Holmes] more special than anything was the internal fortitude. He was tough as nails. He got knocked down, he’d get back up and he’d fight you to the death. You know what I mean? And he got that from Ali — he was Ali’s sparring partner.
This is the thing about Ali: When we were watching him get beat up as an old man—even when I was a young kid—he’s not going to quit, you’ve got to kill him. He won’t quit. He was getting beat up every round, he had the sh*t kicked out of him by Larry Holmes. Is the champ done? No, come on, let me out. They wouldn’t stop. He had to stand up there and take the beating like a man. He wouldn’t quit.
In that way, I respect the guy so much. I have so much admiration for the guy. So much, but it’s just not right to do that as a human being. Just say, ‘It’s over. I’ll come back another day. It’s over. You got me.’”
“I always like to think I’m a bad motherf**ker. A vicious motherf**ker. I don’t give a f**k, but that’s the part where he, Ali, overshines me, because I can’t understand a man that’s willing to die for this. I talked the sh*t, but he’s the real deal.
[Gets emotional]
Ali is a giant. There’s no way other fighters can match him. He’d die for this sh*t. I’m not going to die for this. That’s real talk. Ali is a savage, he’s an animal. He’s a different breed of person. He’s not like us.
Jonathan Patton: 'I may be wearing different colours, but the Giants will forever have my heart', Kevin Sheedy Medal - 2019
4 October 2019, Sydney, Australia
Obviously over the past few days I’ve announced that I’ll be pursuing a future at the Hawthorn football club.
The decision I had to make was definitely the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make and I had to put myself and my body first at this stage of my career.
These past eight years at the giants have been absolutely magical. From the day Stephen Silvagni and Craig Lambert told me I was going to be taken by the Giants months before the draft had even happened.
From the Breakfast Point days running around with 50 other eighteen year olds, just being like every other eighteen year old, egging cars and up until 3am and smashing FIFA competitions and all this carry on. Days I will never ever ever forget.
My playing career to date definitely did not go like I thought it would. Not a million years did I think I’d miss more than half my career at the giants with injury. But with great disappointment, also came great relationships and also great perspective.
I might be one of the unlucky ones in football in terms of my injuries in the past, but I like to look at it as I’m one of the lucky ones who has had an unbelievable club and people behind me.
The genuine love and care I’ve had from the Giants over the years makes me look back with no regrets and no sadness. It makes me very proud I was and am part of something so special in building a club from the start.
Again, the decision was extremely heartbreaking, but I genuinely think it’s the best thing for myself and for my career going forward.
If I were to write the script from the start, when I was drafted, I would have kicked more goals than Jezza (Jeremy Cameron), I would have played 300 games, and we would have won multiple flags together. But as life is, that’s not how it works. Nothing goes to as planned. And everyone has their own story, and this just happens to have been mine.
So now it comes to the thanking part, which is the hardest part because you want to thank so many people, but there are just too many people that I don’t want to miss out …
First of all the Lamberts, you guys … from the very start you guys had to come here from elsewhere too, and you were like us, and the fact that you guys brought in so many of us, from the start , when we were all eighteen from different states, and different cities, how you brought us in, you were complete strangers to us, but we embraced each other and you will forever have our hearts. Thank you very much.
To Leon, as we said yesterday we’ve had very tough and honest conversations over the years, but I’ve always felt we’ve had a deeper connection, you’ve always genuinely cared, even at the times when you’ve probably thought, ‘ooo Jonny thinks I’m going a little bit hard’, I always knew deep down you really actually cared for me, and I respect your family and you so much , I just don’t know how you’re going to break the news to little Jack about changing his number on his back … trust me guys, it definitely helps when the coach’s son loves you. Thanks a lot Jack.
To all the physios over the years, especially Leroy Lobo, Naresh, Luke, Heath, just everyone … thank you so much. You’ve probably had more time with me than any other player over the last eight years. Not only do you care for me as an athlete but for me as a person, it’s been absolutely amazing and thank you very much.
To Dave and Jane Matthews, who can’t be here because she’s in beautiful Noosa, which is understandable. I don’t know if there’ll be another relationship of CEO slash player slash employee like the one we had mate, honestly I don’t think there would be, and it’s only been proven over the last few months. When I was going through this decision, we’ve sat down over many expresso martinis, many wines, many oysters, many steaks, and we’ve spoken about it, and all your advice to me was to make me happy, it was never to do with a bias of the Giants, it was always that you care for me as a person, which is why we’ll always be great mates. And for that I will honestly love you forever, thank you very much.
Monty, where’s Monty (Brett Montgomery), he’s always been the coach I’ve gone to whenever I’ve needed to vent, to talk shit to, whenever I’ve needed to just speak and get advice on, and at the same time he would always tell me how it was … and for that, I love him so much and I’ll always miss Monty ..
The boys over the years … [names players] … everyone … there’s no wonder that the club is where it is, on and off the field. You guys are class acts. And I’ve loved playing every minute, and training alongside you guys. Thanks for supporting me through everything, through thick and thin.
I know at times I could be a bit of a moody guy, because of tough rehab days, but thank you guys very much, I appreciate that.
Heater, our first encounter was not surprisingly at a Melbourne nightclub called Motel, about a day after you were traded to the Giants, and ever since then we’ve been great mates, and obviously you lived with myself and Cogs for the first three years of your stint here, I don’t know if I can tell too many stories here in the public but mate you came here so misunderstood by the public, and you’ve always taken myself and Cogs especially under your wing, and the way you prepare, and the way you face adversity, is just amazing mate. And the lessons you’ve taught me not only with football but life has been amazing, and I thank you very much mate. You’ll be a brother forever.
Cogsy, where do I start. It’s funny because I was the first pick, you were the second pick. I always got that on vou bro, I always got that over you.
But no honestly you’d think we’d have some weird tension, or some weird competition, but straight away we were best mates. You were always there for me mate, through every injury, after every shit session I was fuckng getting over it, and you always picked me up. You were always there for me mate. I’m extremely proud of what you’ve done, but I’m even more excited about what you with this club taking them forward because this club is in no better hands that what you are mate. You will forever be one of my best mates, I feel very lucky I have so many memories with you, and shit man, we’re only 26, we’re going to have a lot more memories, right?
A finally my Mum, Belinda. I’ve honestly been amazed at how supportive you’ve been of my time here in Sydney. Every time that a contract has come up, you’ve just been ‘Sydney’s the best thing for you Jonny, and that’s what I’ve loved about my time here, I’ve never had anything pulling me back in terms of family or people, and Mum, you’ve been at the top of that. Like Cogs, you’ve been through the good and the bad with me, you’ve probably ridden the roller coaster a lot more than probably what I have, I know you’ll be happy to have me in Melbourne, just don’t get too excited because I have grand plans to come back here in Sydney one day, but I love you very very much Mum.
I don’t want this to be much of a goodbye.
I want this to be more of a ’ll see you soon.
I may be wearing different colours over the next few years, but the Giants will forever have my heart.
Thank you and I love you all.
Mick Colliss: 'My Son the Back', Cauliflower Club lunch - 2016
October 2016, Westin Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Mick Colliss is an Australian representative, not in his beloved sport of rugby but in the equally rugged sport of Sudoku. He tells his story hilariously and brilliantly. Book through ICMI.
There are some wonderful rivalries in world rugby, one of them is the Wallabies versus the All Blacks, but for me the greatest rivalry is not so much nation against nation, but backs against forwards. And as Fitzy eluded to, the forwards are the big strong tough aggressive, charismatic, witty , handsome, intelligent individuals who spend eighty minutes of every game selflessly trying to get the ball so they can give it to the backs, so they can either drop it, or kick it away.
And as an ex rugby forward, my greatest fear is that my son will grow up to become a back.
I think let him be a pimp, or a lawyer, if he must, but please keep him out of any jersey numbered nine through fifteen.
It is something that I worry about, and it got to the point where …
I woke up with a headache that’d hung around for days
And half a pack of Aspirin wouldn’t make it go away
I knew the thing that caused it and it made me feel depressed
It wasn’t too much alcohol, just simply too much stress.
So I rang my local doctor in my quest to get it fixed
A chat and some prescription drugs I thought would do the trick.
I drove to my appointment and arrived in ample time.
Then sat and watched and waited, ‘til the next name called was mine.
I walked into the doctor’s room, he checked me up and down
Then peered over his glasses as he asked me with a frown:
“Are you worried your blood pressure might be up again?
Or is your gout and hernia a cause of constant pain?
“Are you being bothered by your bulging lumbar disc
Your slowly failing eyesight or your sub-cutaneous cyst?
Your rhumatoid arthritis or those ulcers on your tongue?
Your kidney stones, your fungus, or those dark spots on your lung?
Your low sperm count, your dodgy knee, that cancer on your hand,
That rash around your anus, your grotesquely swollen gland?
Well surely then you’re worried ‘bout your pending heart attack.
“No,” I said, “I’m worried that my son’s become a back.”
“He’s only short in stature and his thighs and arms are small
He cries when he gets injured and he cannot catch the ball.
He’d rather kick than tackle and his nose is deadly straight
He’d rather hang out with his mum than drink beer with his mates.
“His ears aren’t cauliflowered and he will not tape his head
And every night, by 8 o’clock, he’s tucked up in his bed
He’s fast and he’s elusive and the girls all think he’s cute
And as for scrums and lineouts, well, he hasn’t got a clue.
“His body isn’t hairy and he very rarely sweats
He’d rather read a book than play in winter when it’s wet.
He’s never skulled a schooner and he’s quick to bite and scratch
He whinges, whines and finds my Garryowens hard to catch.
“He’s never punched a punching bag, or bench pressed his own weight
Or stacked the bar and squatted - doing sets of six to eight
His head is bigger than his neck, he can’t secure the ball
He’s never seen a prop up close or drove a rolling maul.”
As I described the symptoms my good doctor simply smiled.
I said: “You do not understand – this is my only child.
I tell you Doc, I’m worried, is there something I can do?”
“Give it time,” the doctor said. “Your son is only two.”
© Mick Colliss
mickcolliss.com
Danny Frawley: 'Tony is the Don Bradman of the AFL', Hall of Fame tribute to Tony Lockett - 2019
5 June 2015, St Kilda Football Club, Melbourne, Australia
In 2010 Danny Frawley was asked to make a speech about his close friend Tony Lockett at St Kilda's Hall of Fame night. Emotion overcame him and he failed to finish. Here is his next attempt, when Lockett was inducted as an AFL Legend in 2015.
Tony is the Don Bradman of the AFL. Like the Don his record will never be surpassed. He kicked 1360 goals nearly 900 for the mighty Saints.
He kicked bags of 7 or more 74 times 10 or more 22 times .
Plugger is also the best kick of all time. It was a shame he never kicked the ball to himself as he was a superb pass his accuracy at 70% is amazing when you think he played at Windy Hill, Whitten Oval, Arden St, Waverly Park and the rain soaked turf of Moorabin. There was no Etihad Stadium under the roof in those days.
Who could forget when Plugger kicked his maiden Ton in 87 and won the Brownlow in the same year, still the only Full Forward to do so with delivery best described as shoddy.
Plugger was a team Player best illustrated in 89 when leading up to the State of Origin clash all the talk was could Lockett and Dunstall play in the same goal square. The critics said no as years earlier Taylor and Roach at tiger land did not work. In the pre game meeting at jolimont house the team was still unsure whether the stars would line up together when the great EJ stood up and said Plugger has something to say. Tony stood up and said "Dunstall is full forward and l am playing in the pocket." Silence was deafening walking over to the G that day. You could have heard a pin drop as the Vics went on to win by a record 89 pts with Lockett and Dunstall kicking nine between them.
In 91 Big Tone did not play till rd 7 due to injury. After 3 games he had 34 goals on the board. The Saints started to give the supply he deserved thru Winmar, Harvey McAdam etc. Not only did he win his 2nd Coleman medal with 127 goals in 17 games he kicked 5 bags of ten or more (If he played 23 he would have kicked 175) He kicked the Saints into the finals for the 1st time in 18 years. In his first final he netted a lazy 9 goals and 5pts.
After 132 goals the following year he then started to get a few injuries and only a few people realized the pressure he was under to perform, He would Dry Reach in the toilets before every game because he knew the reason the saints won was the same reason why they lost rested on his burly shoulders and they could only take so much.
People and critics often say he should give something back to football he single handidly kept the saints afloat throughout the eighties which were a lot of the time winless bit he gave supporters hope much like Phar Lap did in the depression. He is a big part of the reason why we are here today.
I will leave you with Plugger's ability to perform when it mattered most it was in 95 State of Origin game v SA where the Great Late EJ did his famous lap of honour. Plugger asked EJ “how he was going “and EJ remarked “do not worry about me how are you going?” and Tony whispered “l will do it for you champ”. In the Bowels of the MCG EJ was in the rooms after his famous lap and asked his Chaperone how the Mighty Vics were going and the chaperone kept coming back saying that a forward line filled with stars such as Loewe, Lyon, Harvey and Ablett and Lockett out of the square we were always going to win, EJ then asked who is playing well the chaperone said’ it was amazing Ablett and Lockett would keep leading but the ball kept hitting the burly no 4 on his ample chest”.
Locket kicked 7 and went onto win the EJ Whitten Medal. EJ whispered in the chaperone’s ear ‘”l can die a happy man now cause l always wanted to know who the better player out of Ablett and Lockett was”
Saints fans knew long before that… Anthony Howard Plugger Lockett was not a superstar but a Super Hero.
On behalf of the ST Kilda FC, 17 years is too long …Welcome Home Mate.
Eric Cantona: 'As flies to wanton boys, we are for the gods', UEFA President's Award Acceptance, UCL Draw - 2019
30 August 2019, Monaco
As flies to wanton boys, we are for the gods. They kill us for their sport.
Soon the science will not only be able to slow down the aging of the cells – soon the science will fix the cells to the state.
And so we will become eternal.
Only accidents, crimes, wars will still kill us, but unfortunately crimes and wars will multiply.
I love football. Thank you.
Cantona’s speech is a poetic meditation on aging and immortality. The opening line is from King Lear. This discussion of the meaning of the speech at SBNation is worth a read.
Dylan Alcott: 'You can't tell me people don't want to watch wheelchair tennis', Wimbledon Victory Speech - 2019
13 July 2019, Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom
First of all, a big thanks to Andy .
I’m not going to lie, when we found out we were going to be playing Wimbledon for the first time, we did send each other a cheeky Whatsapp and say, ‘let’s make sure we’re both in the final’. So Andy, thanks very much mate, I love that, you’re an absolute legend, and I loved winning the doubles with you yesterday, but most importantly, you’re a great bloke, so thanks mate.
We weren't able to play Wimbledon the last few years...I'm going to get emotional...and to come out here and to get to play on the grass, for a young kid from Australian who was born in a wheelchair, it was a bloody dream come true - it really was.
To the All England club, thanks so much for having us - I hope we put on an entertaining show all week. I know we did, because look how many bloody people are here in this stadium.
You can't tell me people don't want to watch wheelchair tennis. It's such an entertaining sport. To everyone that played it on the BBC, thank you, and to everyone back home who played it - Fox Sports and it was on the Seven App. I can't thank you enough for broadcasting this, because not only does it change our lives, but it changes the lives of a lot of little kids out there with disabilities who see people like them on TV for the very first time.
To everyone who did that, thank you so much.
Megan Rapinoe: 'We have to be better', USWNT's Victory Parade - 2019
10 July 2019, New York City, USA
I think I’ll just end with this. This is my charge to everyone. We have to be better. We have to love more, hate less. We got to listen more, and talk less. We got to know this is everybody’s responsibility, every single person here. Every single person who is not here. Every single person who doesn’t want to be here. Every single person who agrees and doesn’t agree. It is our responsibility to make this world a better place. I think this team does an incredible job of taking that on our shoulders and understanding the position that we have and the platform we have within this world.
Yes we play sports. Yes we play soccer. Yes we’re female athletes but we’re so much more than that. You’re so much more than that. You’re more than a fan. You’re more than someone who just supports sport. You’re more than someone who tunes in every four years. You’re someone who walks these streets every single day. You interact with your community every single day. How do you make your community better? How do you make the people around you better? Your family? Your closest friends? The 10 closest people to you? The 20 closest people to you? The most 100 closest people to you? It’s every single person’s responsibility.
There’s been so much contention in these last years. I’ve been a victim of that. I’ve been a perpetrator of that.
With the fight with the federation, (I’m) sorry for some of the things I said, not all of the things.
But it’s time to come together. This conversation is at the next step. We have to collaborate. It’s takes everybody. This is my charge to everybody, ‘Do what you can. Do what you have to do. Step outside of yourself. Be more. Be better. Be bigger than you’ve ever been before. If this team is any representation of what you can be, when you do that please take this as an example. This group is incredible. We took so much on our shoulders to be here today, to celebrate with you today. And we did it with a smile. So do the same for us. Please, I ask you.
New York City, you’re the mother fucking best.