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Top 10 incredible speeches given by athletes.

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Sports are about hard work, determination, commitment, teamwork, practice and a little more hard work. To succeed in the world of sport an athlete must be both physically and mentally strong, and this means that all athletes should have an incredibly high drive and strong work ethic. They have all had to sacrifice and work hard to get to where they are today, with many of them going on particularly difficult journeys to become professional athletes. This makes them fascinating, inspirational and motivational individuals, and over the years there have been many of them which have delivered incredible speeches which have inspired, moved or entertained sports fans around the world.

Normally, listening to athletes being interviewed after games is a dull, predictable affair where they rehash the same old clichés of “giving 110%”, but under circumstances such as award acceptances, retirement announcements and Hall of Fame inductions there have been many brilliantly written or improvised speeches which will be forever remembered. Although constantly in the public eye, athletes rarely get the opportunity to fully express themselves, as their only opportunities arise after a grueling match where a microphone and camera are thrust in their face, or through 140 characters on Twitter, neither of which are the ideal platform to fully express ones thoughts and opinions.

Of course not all athletes are able to articulate their thoughts and many of them are not particularly reflective, but when some athletes get the time and space to express themselves then you will be taken back by what they have to say. We all know that coaches and characters in sports films are able to deliver rousing speeches which can inspire, fire up, move and motivate those that hear them, but what about the athletes?

Here are the top 10 speeches of all time delivered by athletes.

10 10. Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas’s acceptance of the 2009 Vezina award was very humble and Thomas was clearly moved as he delivered his speech. It was a short but sweet speech, but he managed to win everyone’s hearts when he modestly claimed that he had been “more worried about getting my name on the roster than I have been about winning the Vezina Trophy”. Thomas famously struggled to get on a team for many years, so to be voted the league’s best goalie just a few years later it was a truly inspiring story.

He was clearly grateful to be where he was, and does his best to acknowledge those that have stood by him. He would lead the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup a couple of years later. Generally speaking, athletes are arrogant and egotistical, so to see such a humble, heartfelt speech was refreshing to see and helped Thomas stand out from the crowd.

9 9. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis could have had his own top 10 list, as he has delivered an enormous amount of inspirational speeches over the years. He delivers the kind of speeches you find in Hollywood films, and could certainly have a career as a motivational speaker. This speech was delivered to his teammates following the Ravens loss in the AFC Championship game to the Patriots, a time in which most would feel despondent.

Lewis rallied his troops by stating how the taste of defeat would make them stronger, but also how there is more to life than sports as football offers an escape for those who are going through real pain. “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.”

8 8. Dennis Rodman

Although he struggled to get through his speech from the get go, there are not many speeches given by athletes as heartfelt as this one. The Worm let out his true personality to show that his eccentric outfits and wild lifestyle was just a cover, and he was in fact somebody with many flaws. By the end of the speech Rodman used the platform to reach out to his family and how he how wishes he can be a better father to his kids.

Although not the most eloquent, it was clearly a cathartic moment for Rodman and a touching speech which gave us an insight into the real Dennis Rodman. “I didn’t play the game for the money. I didn’t play to be famous. What you see here is just an illusion; I just love to be an individual that’s very colourful.”

7 7. Muhammad Ali

Although not a retirement or Hall of Fame speech, it is impossible to leave off Muhammad Ali when it comes to athlete speeches. He had an incredible way with words like no other athlete, and listening to him speak is as entertaining as watching him in the ring. Before his shock victory over George Foreman in 1974 in a fight dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle, Ali delivered a fantastic poem which epitomises his cheek, flair and confidence.

This poem is packed full of lines which the top rappers would be proud of. “For this fight I’ve wrestled with alligators, I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning and thrown thunder in jail”, as well as the excellent line, “I’m so mean, I make medicine sick”.

6 6. Darrell Green

Darrell Green’s Hall of Fame speech was the perfect blend of humour along with heartfelt emotion, which endeared him to the entire crowd and made sure that he wasn’t the only one crying by the end. He spoke from the heart about both of his parents who are deceased, but made sure not to miss anyone out who had helped him along the way. He delivered the speech in an engaging fashion and had everybody hanging on his every word, and it was a speech that was fitting for such an incredible athlete. His opening line set the tone for the rest of the speech, “Deacon Jones said I would cry. You bet your life I’m going to cry”.

5 5. Ted Williams

Ted Williams used his baseball 1966 Hall of Fame induction as a platform to urge for the addition of black players to Cooperstown. Williams said “I hope that one day Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson will be voted into the Hall of Fame as symbols of the great Negro players who are not here because they weren’t given a chance”. Paige and Gibson were inducted into the Hall of Fame a few years later.

His speech also served as a love letter to the game of baseball and why it is one of the top American sports. This along with him voicing his opinion made his speech a lot more engaging than the majority of speeches which act as a long thank you list.

4 4. Curtis Martin

Curtis Martin’s Hall of Fame speech dealt with heavy subject matter and it clearly helped Martin to articulate his thoughts. His honesty surrounding the abuse his mother suffered at the hands of his late father make for a difficult watch, but it became clear how this became a pivotal moment in his life. His difficult upbringing, death of family members and near death experiences led his mother to tell him to do something after school so that he would be safe.

Despite not being a fan, Martin chose football as his hobby. He excelled at football, and would soon meet a much needed positive male role model, coach Bill Parsons, who helped him to become a successful athlete and man. It is a fantastic, moving and at times disturbing speech, and a terrific insight into the difficult journey that Martin went through to reach the Hall of Fame.

3 3. Michael Irvin

Off-field legal issues surrounded Michael Irvin’s playing career and life after the Dallas Cowboys, but instead of hiding from these dark times during his Hall of Fame induction speech, Irvin tackled them head on. The emotional, brave speech had everyone, including Irvin, in tears, and it was clearly a cathartic moment for the former wide receiver who has battled many demons. No one could question his talent, but many had questioned his character over the years, but this heartfelt speech moved even those who questioned him and people were taken back by his honesty. This speech will be best remembered for the inspiring line “look up, get up and don’t ever give up”.

2 2. Kevin Durant

Whoever wins MVP this season is going to have a hard time topping this speech. Kevin Durant’s MVP acceptance speech stunned the entire world and left even the toughest of people claiming they had something in their eye. Durant is a quiet athlete, which made his near half an hour speech even more gripping and heartfelt. Being the great person that he is, Durant went on to individually thank just about everyone at the Thunder franchise and those that have helped him along the way.

The real beauty of this speech however was when he talked about his upbringing and his mother, who sacrificed so much for Kevin and his brother when they were both young. Durant went on to claim to his mom that “you the real MVP”, which has since become a popular saying. This inspiring and touching speech was amazingly open and genuine, and certainly one for the ages.

1 1. Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig’s speech will go down as not only one of the greatest sports speeches of all time, but one of the greatest speeches in American history. Gehrig was one of the best to play the game and a class act, but in 1939 he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is now commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This quick and aggressive disease forced him into retirement, and it would claim his life just a few years later.

An appreciation day was put on by the Yankees in his honour, and it was here that Gehrig delivered his world famous speech to a packed Yankee Stadium. The entire speech is something to behold, with the opening of the speech being enough to send chills down the spines of many; “Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

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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.

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The 7 most memorable Pro Football Hall of Fame speeches in the last 20 years

Hall of Fame speeches are fun and also sad sometimes.

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This weekend, eight new members will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Every year at the enshrinement ceremony, the new inductees in attendance are slated to speak. And every year, most speeches begin the same way — they thank God, their family, the team owners, and fans. But after that, each induction speech is different from the next.

From goofy to heart-warming to tear-jerking, there are a number of great Hall of Fame induction speeches and moments. I picked the most memorable ones from the last 20 years, starting with my absolute favorite speech.

And the 2019 Hall of Fame class isn’t lacking in personality — including players like Champ Bailey and Ed Reed — so this list could have another addition come Saturday night.

1. Ray Lewis , Class of 2018

The only real answer to the question of “What is the best Hall of Fame induction moment?” is the entirety of Ray Lewis’ nonsensical monologue . His enshrinement speech felt like it lasted 12 years but only went on for 33 minutes, somehow, with his personality falling somewhere in between an inspirational speaker and a Southern Baptist preacher on Easter Sunday.

For all the theatrics, Lewis made some serious points throughout his speech. He went out of his way to thank his coaches and teammates, with both the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Hurricanes. He praised his mother for being there and raising him alone, while saying that he continually tries to be the father he never had.

He also said he still kisses his kids on the mouth, to which both his sons aggressively shook their heads.

As Lewis said , “Don’t hate.”

2. Brett Favre , Class of 2016

One of the most emotional Hall of Fame speeches in recent memory is Brett Favre’s from 2016.

“This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you,” Favre said as he got especially choked up sharing stories of his family throughout his life .

Early in the speech, the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback recounted an adorable story about how he and his future wife, Deanna, started dating when he was 14. He also gave a shoutout to Deanna’s mom : “My mother-in-law who for 33, 34 years has been by far my biggest fan. I have never thrown an interception that has been my fault, according to my mother-in-law, Ann.”

(No one tell Ann that Favre actually threw 336 interceptions, the most in NFL history .)

3. LaDainian Tomlinson , Class of 2017

LaDainian Tomlinson’s Hall of Fame speech was nothing short of inspirational . He delivered a powerful message about unity and noted, “My story is America’s story.”

But the former Chargers running back also brought the laughs. He said that told his mom at 6 years old that he would go to the NFL. At 7 years old, he asked for a weight set for Christmas because he “needed to get bigger if he was going to make it to the NFL.”

That’s the most football guy thing I’ve ever heard. This man was meant for Canton.

4. Joe Montana, Class of 2000

Joe Montana originally had another speech planned. He said that before the Hall of Fame weekend in 2000, he felt like he was already in the coffin with dirt thrown on him, at just 44 years old. “I saw the Hall of Fame as an ending point,” Montana said .

Then, he spent time with his fellow inductees and came to a realization that his enshrinement didn’t mean death. After going his entire life hopping from team to team — from Pop Warner, to high school, to Notre Dame, to the 49ers , and to the Chiefs — he was part of yet another new one.

“I’ve now seen the light that this is not an ending point. This is a beginning point. This is the beginning of the rest of my life, post-career with a new team. Take a look at these guys [pointing to other Hall of Famers behind him] — what a team it is.”

Sometimes, it’s all about the proper perspective.

5. Jerry Rice, Class of 2010

Hall of Famers are just like us. 49ers legend Jerry Rice wore one black and one blue sock to his enshrinement ceremony in 2010 and jokingly asked the crowd to lend him a black sock.

His speech got more sincere as he went on . Rice first joined the football team his sophomore of high school after sprinting away from his principal to avoid getting in trouble. In turn, the principal told the football coach about Rice’s speed and he was offered a position on the team — he had been running ever since.

“There are no more routes to run, no more touchdowns to score, no more records to set. That young boy from Mississippi has finally stopped running. Let me stand here and catch my breath. Let me inhale it all in one more time.”

There’s a reason he’s considered the GOAT.

6. John Elway, Class of 2004

Coach Wade Phillips once called John Elway the “Lou Gehrig of quarterbacks” — which is both quite a large name to live up to and an amazing compliment. Elway said it was his proudest moment as Broncos quarterback because, “I didn’t always have a great game, nor was I always healthy, but my teammates knew that I’d always show up.”

During his enshrinement speech, Elway spent a few minutes talking about all the things his dad, who was also his coach when he was younger, taught him. The most important was: “When you go out with your offensive linemen, you pick up the tab.”

Elway’s father passed away a few years before his son’s induction, but his lessons will live on.

7. Cris Carter, Class of 2013

Cris Carter didn’t have an easy path to Canton . Carter was selected by the Eagles in the supplement draft, but battled drug and alcohol abuse until he turned things around with the Vikings , where he played for 12 seasons. He also had to wait until he was elected to the Hall of Fame, finally getting in during his sixth year of eligibility.

When he got there, he didn’t waste any time, sharing his passion and appreciation right off the bat.

He ended it the same way : “I love football. I love this game. It gave me an identity. It gave me a sense of purpose. For an African American man, it’s a great opportunity in America to be able to play football.”

He should’ve been inducted earlier, but at least he made his speech worth the wait.

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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...This 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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2024 Paris Olympics

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Phryge, the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, cheers at the women's group B match between the U.S. and Zambia on Thursday. Marc Atkins/Getty Images hide caption

The Paris Olympics are finally here. More than 10,000 athletes have descended on the French capital for more than two weeks of competition, patriotism and potential drama. NPR’s own Olympics team will bring you recaps, coverage and color — including on the ground in Paris — online and on air over the next few weeks.

Reporter's Notebook: Olympic athletes in Paris won medals and voiced wisdom

Olympic athletes in Paris are winning medals. They're also voicing wisdom

Athletes at the Paris Olympics performed amazing feats. Many also voiced wisdom, demonstrating compassion, and sharing moments of joy. Here Bahrain's Winfred Mutile Yavi (L) hugs France's Alice Finot after the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase final at Stade de France on August 6, 2024. Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

PARIS — When you think about athletes talking about their sport in the locker room, what comes to mind is that classic scene from the baseball movie Bull Durham .

Katie Ledecky scored two of America's forty Olympic gold medals in the Paris Summer Games. The U.S. tied with China for the most gold, but the U.S. dominated the overall count with 126 medals.

The final Olympic medal tally puts the U.S. on top in Paris

"You're going to have to learn your clichés," the older ballplayer says, as he teaches the younger athlete to speak without saying anything. Then he offers up that old meaningless gem: "We got to play them one day at a time."

And sometimes talking to Olympians here in Paris , you hear that kind of stuff. But spending time with these athletes coming off the track or out of the pool, I slowly realized a lot of these remarkable people were speaking truths that felt powerful.

The moment that flipped a switch for me, and got me paying attention, was when swimmer Nic Fink talked about getting older and becoming a father.

"The changes, I’ve been embracing them along the way," he said. "I told myself swimming wasn’t going to get in the way of life anymore. I wanted to find a better balance."

Find a better balance

It struck me I was hearing about life balance a lot from these athletes. They didn't actually talk very much about winning or medals. Instead they talked about their process, about improving themselves steadily, often in tiny ways.

Cindy Ngamba wears a red uniform in the boxing ring.

The Refugee Olympic Team wins its first-ever medal, thanks to boxer Cindy Ngamba

"Every day I can wake up and try and do something a little bit better," said Michelle Sechser an Olympic rower. "There are so many pieces to the puzzle. Being a little bit better can be a bio-mechanical improvement or a technique improvement or being a better teammate. I love how that feels to see myself and feel myself improving."

Olympic athletes dropping big performances and pearls of wisdom

I started keeping track of other big ideas athletes were dropping. About the tension between ambition and contentment. About the way patience and thought can shape the most explosive sports. A lot of Olympians believe their sport can send important messages about our bodies and our identities.

"As women, a lot of times our body has been this object to be looked at, something to be objectified," said rugby player Ilona Maher. "To get into a sport like rugby it gives your body a purpose, shows what it’s capable of, it’s not just something for others to judge."

Katie Ledecky of the U.S. voiced gratitude in Paris for competitors who make her better and inspire her, including Australia's Ariarne Titmus. The women describe their races not as a rivalry but as a creative process. Adam Pretty/Getty Images hide caption

A big thing athletes are talking about more openly, with humor but also often with rawness and vulnerability is their mental health. Asked if she had any advice she would offer a younger version of herself, hurdler Anna Cockrell laughed.

"What would I tell myself? Girl get in that therapist’s office immediately," she said. Cockrell has spoken openly about training and competing while experiencing depression.

"I think I was a person who was kind of inconsistent. I would go to therapy for a second and be like, I’m cured! That’s not how it works. The progress, in my opinion, comes from continuing when you’re not in crisis."

LeBron James cheers on fellow Team USA basketballers in the 3x3 women's game against Spain last week at Esplanade Des Invalides during the Paris Games.

Olympians at the Paris Games want to cheer on the Olympians, too

I'll mention two more big ideas I heard from Olympians. One is gratitude. Competitors talk a lot about how grateful they are — for their support networks, their teammates and their communities — but also for their opponents, the people who sometimes beat them.

Swimmer Katie Ledecky spoke about this during a press conference sitting next to one of her chief competitors, Australian Ariarne Titmus. "After the race, I just told Ariarne, thank you for making me better. I think we bring the best out of each other. Thank you."

A last thing that is really important here is how often Olympians say they build their performances on faith, spirituality, sometimes a belief in God. During her competition on Friday, German shot putter Yemisi Ogunleye described slipping during a throw.

"After falling, I went back to my seat and sang a song," Ogunleye said. It was one of the hymns she sings in her gospel choir. Then she got up and went out and won a gold medal.

Of course, most athletes in Paris don’t win medals. But a lot of them clearly take something away from these Olympics — and from the journey that brought them here — with something a lot more powerful.

Paris Olympics 2024

Tennis news by We Are Tennis

Top 10 : the most memorable speeches in the history of grand slam tournaments.

Jan 25, 2017, 2:18:17 PM

It’s the official protocole : after each final, the winner, as well as the loser, both have to pick up the microphone and give a small post-match speech. An exercise in which some champions appear to be best public speakers than others…

The most « tough love » : henri leconte at roland-garros in 1988.

Paris. 1988. Henri Leconte had just been defeated in three sets by Wilander, who he first praised in his own way (« Mats made me play badly, it’s his great strength »). The moment which remained in the history books came just after : his knee bent against the balustrade, he talked directly to the crowd, who gave him a bit of a hard time during the fortnight and also during the previous editions. « I hope that you’ve finally understood my game », he said, defying the crowd, and receiving a few boos as a response. When the circuit’s big mouth took the mic, to stand up to the Roland-Garros crowd, which has always been known to be a little difficult, obviously, things had to spark off…

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The most Christlike : Michael Chang at Roland-Garros in 1989

The tradition states that after a final, both opponents usually pay each other an hommage. Except that the winner of the 1989 edition in the men’s circuit - Michael Chang - wasn’t really used to giving speeches. After having thanked his parents, the 17 year-old kid decided to pay a very peculiar hommage to…Jesus Christ, who, he said, he wouldn’t be anything without. Praises he said with a trembling voice, before handing back the microphone without saying a word about his opponent Stefan Edberg, or even looking at him once. It’s not important Michael, God forgives.

The best effort : Jim Courier at Roland-Garros in 1993

After two victories in a row during the previous editions, Jim Courier had just lost against Sergi Bruguera ? A disappointment ? Certainly, but at least, the American was now prepared to capture the support of the crowd. If the Spaniard made the effort of speaking in French, so could the American. Even if he was less than comfortable with the idea of speaking in French, Jim decided to give it a try and had fun with his own approximations. « Well okay, last year I spoke like a Spanish cow, and this year I played against a Spanish crowd », before turning serious again. « No, that’s not funny ». Yes, yes, it is !

The most comfortable with speeches : Marat Safin at the Australian Open in 2005

At the start of the 2005 season, Marat Safin won his second - and last - Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open. Under the Melbourne sun, the Russian felt relaxed. Three years earlier, after his defeat against Thomas Johansson, he had amused the crowd by thanking his « cousins » present in his box, who turned out to be pretty groupies…This time, he talked to the crowd as the champion. His girlfriend was there so the great Marat was on his best behavior, but still very at ease to thank everyone, from his opponent Lleyton Hewitt to the sponsors without forgetting his team, everyone received a nice message, with a little pun each time. Rarely had we seen the Melbourne Park crowd laugh so much.

The most outlandish : Mary Pierce at Roland-Garros in 2005

Thanking the sponsors is pretty usual in Australia, but a little less in France. Mary Pierce found out the hard way when, a few months later, she gave her post-match speech after being defeated by Justine Henin, five years after her triumph against Conchita Martinez. Strangled by emotion, supported by some « Mary, Mary ! » coming down from the stands, she awkwardly launched herself in a series of hommages, from the official transportation company to the ballboys, without forgetting, obviously, the sponsors. A few whistles and boos were heard before the Franco-Canadian decided to finish her speech in English to thank her family. Outlandish.

The most moving : Roger Federer at the Australian Open in 2009

The greatest champions rarely turn out to be the beautiful losers. It’s also the case with Roger Federer, who had a tough time accepting his defeat in the final in Melbourne in 2009 against Rafael Nadal. Powerless, he started his speech with a « God, it’s killing me » followed by a few some tears which he couldn’t hold back. The moment was solemn, as the giant Federer’s armor was cracking. In the stands, Mirka looked shocked, as well as Nadal, more serious then ever, who applauded. The following ovation was long, as Federer, who was incapable of saying another word, handed back the microphone. Emotion in its purest form.

The most helpless : Andy Murray at the Australian Open in 2010

A year later, King Roger’s answer was expected : he won his fourth (and last, to this day) Australian Open, after dominating a helpless, and amazingly honest Andy Murray in the final. « I hope that I can come back here one day and win it », he said, without hiding his emotion, before giving his opponent a nice little nod : « I can cry like Roger but it’s frustrating not to be able to play like him. » The Scot has played five finals in Melbourne and has lost all of them.

The most expected : Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2013

Thankfully for the current world number 1, there have been happier speeches. The most memorable one was certainly the one he gave in 2013 when he won Wimbledon, at home, after dominating Novak Djokovic. Entirely committed to his champion, the crowd hung on each of his words. « I know how much you wanted a British player to win, so I hope you enjoy ! » Rarely had a post-match ceremony showed an intense communion between the winner and the crowd.

The most accomplished : Li Na at the Australian Open in 2014

When she won the Australian Open in 2014, Li Na didn’t know that she was only a few months from retirement. After a perfect fortnight, she gave a speech full of spontaneity and humour. Sounding very sincere, the Chinese had prepared a few punchlines to pay an hommage to her agent (« you made me rich, thank you very much ») and her husband (« you’re famous in China now, (…) thank you, you’re a nice guy, and you’re lucky to have found me ! »). As her husband was crying out of laughter, the crowd looked seduced.

The most professional : Roger Federer at the US Open in 2015

If there was a prize for the best public speaker of the circuit, it would certainly be awarded to Roger Federer. The force of habit, certainly…his last speech given during a Grand Slam occurred after his lost final at the US Open against Novak Djokovic. He gave everything in a little less than two minutes : a nice way of speaking, hommages payed to everyone involved, a little emotion, a little humour…An example of a good speech which could feature in communication lessons for tennis players.

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The Greatest Motivational Speeches Of All-Time

March 24, 2016
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With the Sweet 16 kicking off tonight, there’s no better time than now to revisit one of our favorite posts from 2013! Below is a list of our favorite motivational speeches from the best sports movies. Not only do these coaches understand the preparation, strategy, and drills behind a great team — but they also understand how important it is to master emotions and get the team’s mind in the right place.

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like an empowering, energizing, and all-around inspirational speech before the big game? A well-executed speech can focus your players, teammates, and coaches on the road ahead. But, above all, it gets the athlete’s head in the game, giving him or her the desire and willpower to make a serious difference out on the field, pitch, or court. However, that begs the question: who did it best?

CoachUp, of course, doesn’t shy away from these hard-hitting issues and we’ve put together a list of our favorite motivational speeches. Be careful, though, these may inspire you to grab a ball and get out there right afterwards!

5. “Pain Heals” — Shane Falco, The Replacements Keanu Reeves has received loads of criticism over his long acting career, but nobody can doubt his moving performance in 2000’s The Replacements . Short and sweet, Shane Falco, the team’s washed up quarterback, gets right to the point in order to motivate his teammates before the biggest play of the game.

In fact, Falco actually admits to giving a bit of an anti-motivational speech when he says: “I wish I could say something classy and inspirational — but that’s not our style.” Unfortunately for too-cool-Keanu, he ends up delivering a killer line just a few moments later — Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever!

4. “This is your time, now go out there and take it!” — Herb Brooks, Miracle This is just some good, old fashioned advice that Brooks gives to his players before the Gold Medal game against the Soviets. If you want something, you’re going to have to go out and take it yourself. Nobody is willingly going to give you the game, the win, or the glory — want it? Go get it. And, ultimately, that’s what Brooks says here — nothing fancy, wordy, or mystical — just the truth.

3. “It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward!” — Rocky, Rocky Balboa Most everybody will be familiar with Rocky’s epic speech to his son, but if you aren’t, try listening to this on repeat for a couple hours. Rocky reminds his son that life is tough, but you can’t let it win. Most importantly, if you want something, you’ve got to believe in yourself and work hard to get it. Try not to get caught up in what other people think and do whatever it takes for you achieve your goals. That’s it, it’s really that simple.

2. “You don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself!” — Fortune, Rudy This is a particularly moving speech for a number of reasons — especially given its context for the student-athlete, even today! Of course, this speech reminds Rudy that he’s already defied the odds by training each and every day to earn his spot on the field. Rudy, “five-foot nothin’,” found something he wanted and worked his butt off until he got it. Athletes these days can get obsessed with touchdowns, dunks, and home runs, but for those that are lucky enough to attend school for their talents, make sure to take the good with the bad. Being a well-rounded person is just as important as being an elite athlete — so don’t take your education for granted!

1. “I don’t care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book, we’ll be winners!” — Norman Dale, Hoosiers Perhaps one the greatest motivational speech in one of the greatest sports movies of all-time, Coach Norman Dale begs his team to ignore everything going against them. Forget the crowd, forget their skill, forget it all, none of that matters, Dale says. Instead, he gets Hickory High to focus on on the fundamentals, promising that if his team plays the way he knows they can, they’ll be winners no matter who’s up at the final whistle.

In today’s community, we often deal with coaches that have a win-at-all-costs mantra, those who put aside the feelings of their athletes in an attempt to win glory for themselves. However, it’s refreshing, even after all these years, to see Coach Dale focus on the right stuff. Remember, being a winner doesn’t depend on wins and losses!

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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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A List of 10 Greatest Sports Speeches of All Time

By: sven eggers, staff writer june 17, 2022.

What’s the main purpose of speeches in sports? In most cases, speeches are given to boost motivation. This is an effective tool that can lift spirits and improve mood, inspiring sports people to win no matter how big the price is.

How sports speeches work

First of all, sports speeches change your perspective. They alter the way you approach certain issues and offer a different way of seeing things. After listening to a powerful speech, you can transform hurdles into challenges.

What’s more, it’s a proven fact that a nice speech may improve task performance. Why? Because motivation determines the quality of your work, according to psychologists. On top of that, a speech can provide you with real-life examples and tips that can improve how well you operate.

A good speech can also reduce your fears in sports. You might know that feeling when you are afraid of doing something new and being more open-minded. If you want to change that, listen to a motivational speech given by somebody who managed to overcome their fears. Someone’s successful experience can make your life way easier.

Where to find great speeches?

Today, the Internet is full of amazing speeches on different topics. You can read them in online magazines or watch them on YouTube. Depending on your goal, you can find a nice speech on special websites or even order speech writing services tailored for your tone from professional writers. Luckily, there are a lot of experts that offer speeches crafted according to your needs. Maybe, words formulated by an experienced writer will change something in you and you’ll achieve greater success in what you do.

The greatest sports speeches

Below, you can find the best speeches on sports in history. Check them to get more inspiration!

1. Apollos Hester’s Postgame Interview

Apollos Hester is admired by many for his incredible speed and agility. However, those are not the main features of this sportsman. Apollos is also known for his optimistic attitude. He believes in life’s limitless potential, which helps them give amazing motivational speeches.

2. Dave Belisle’s Little League World Series Speech

In his famous speech, Dave Belisle literally gave a masterclass on how to handle disappointment. His words turned listeners’ tears of sadness into tears of joy. For sure, he knows how to help people keep their “heads up high.”

3. Darrel Green’s NFL Hall of Fame Speech

If you want to learn acceptance, you should listen to the speech of Darrel Green given at the NFL Hall of Fame. Many people remember it as one of the most passionate speeches of all time. What’s more, it is full of excellent advice.

4. Kevin Durant’s MVP Speech

Another beautiful and touching motivational speech was given by Kevin Durant at the 2013–14 NBA MVP. He acknowledged all the hard work and sacrifices he endured on his way to success. Durant also credited all the people, including friends, coaches and, who helped him a lot along the way.

5. Jim Valvano’s ESPY Awards Speech

As you know, sports can teach life’s greatest lessons. And Jim Valvano believes in that too, according to his 19943 speech at the first ESPY Awards. In his speech, Valvano gives simple yet wise tips for a fulfilling life: laugh, think, and cry every day. That’s it! And many people believe it really works.

6. Tony Romo’s Press Conference About Dak Prescott

Unfortunately, life was not kind to Tony Romo as he had a serious back injury that resulted in lots of missed time. Even though he lost his dream job of an NFL quarterback, Romo handled it with grace. Instead of complaining about his problems, he is grateful to people for their help.

7. Tony Arcuri’s Speech

Another legendary speech was given by a famous coach Tony Arcuri to the high school football team. His aim was to give a bunch of important lessons to teenagers and he did it quite successfully. Thanks to Arcuri, many players overcame their fear of strong opponents.

8. Drew Brees’ Speech

After breaking Dan Marino’s record in 2011, Drew Brees gave a powerful speech. It motivated not only his teammates but also coaches. It was not only incredibly inspiring but also quite humorous. Check it yourself!

9. Muhammad Ali’s Speeches

Even if you are not familiar with the world, you’ve certainly heard Muhammad Ali ’s quotes, His words inspire millions of people all over the world, making him a star. Muhammad Ali is almost unbeatable when it comes to motivational speaking.

10. Michael Irvin’s Speeches

Michael Irvin, a former NFL wide receiver, was not only a highly professional player but also a great public speaker. He is known for his openness and honesty that are rare in the sports industry. If you feel you can’t keep going towards your goal, remember his words: "Look up, get up, and don't ever give up.”

Author’s BIO

Sven Eggers is a sports coach and motivational speaker. He works mainly with college students, helping them prepare for local and national competitions. Sven has a talent for writing motivational speeches, so he does it for top athletes all over the world.

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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The 9 Most Inspirational Sports Speeches Ever

CollegeTimes decided to put together a few lists of our favourite speeches throughout history because they rock, even if you don't play sports. Here are the best and most inspirational speeches by sports figures of all time. Get ready to be pumped.

Paul O 'Connell

The now infamous 'Manic Agression' Speech. In the absence of captain Brain O'Driscoll in 2007 v France POC stepped in at the last minute to make one of the best speeches ever by an Irishman.

Tashard Choice

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Georgia Tech captain Tashard Choice gave one of the most epic pregame speeches after missing some time with an injury before his teams battle and win over arch rivals Clemson in which Choice gave a MVP performance. Talk about goosebumps.

Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin will go down as one of the best players to play in the NFL but his off-the-field issues often overshadowed his accomplishments on it. The Hall of Fame speeches are known for big men breaking down but this speech really almost had us in tears.

Ok, last of the American Foozeball speeches but they're just so good at making dramatic Oscar-like moments. None more so then Son-of-God Tim Tebow, you should know who this guy is by now but if you didn't, this will give you an understanding of his mentality. All he does is win.

I Am A Champion

Random, unknown high school coach gives one of the most intensely motivating pre whatever speeches. Listen to it in the morning before school or work, listen before a game, listen when you go to bed... You will feel like a champion.

Sir Ian Mc Geechan

Some legendary stuff from the most legendary Lions coach of all time. Geech gave a calm emotional speech before breaking down in tears just hours before the final Lions test of the 2009 tour in South Africa and the final game of his Lions career, a game they won.

The Greatest Ever

Muhammad Ali is arguably the greatest boxer of all time, and without doubt the most charismatic, energetic and best self promoting boxer ever. Every time he spoke something great would come out, but perhaps his best speech came prior to his fight with George Foreman. Bad Ass!

Coach Valvano

“Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.”

Jim Valvano was known for coaching the massive underdog NC State team to a 1973 National Championship in Basketball as well as his massive character and enthusiasm. Upon collecting a humanitarian award in 1993 he gave one of the most entertaining and emotional speeches just weeks before his death.

Neil Warnock

Famous for his rants, footy manager Neil Warnock gave his Huddersfield side absolute hell when they came into the changing room trailing at half time. It motivated them to go on and win however.

Can You Name The Fictional Tech Companies From These Well Known Films?

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17 Inspirational Sports Speeches That Will Have You Running Through Walls

Some of these are from real life situations, some of them are fictional but they will all inspire you before you go out and rip it up on the five-a-side pitch.

It goes from Matthew McConaughey talking to the Texas Longhorns college football team all the way back to Kurt Russell in Miracle on Ice with visits to Jim Telfer on the 1997 Lions Tour and Páidí Ó Sé in between.

Matthew McConaughey to the Texas Longhorns

Jimmy Valvano at the 1993 ESPYs

Coach Gaines from the Friday Night Lights film

A mashup of Páidí Ó Sé's speech from Marooned and Al Pacino's from Any Given Sunday

Little League coach David Belisle

Ducks fly together from D2

Chuck Pagano to the Indianapolis Colts after beating cancer

Ray Lewis to the Stanford mens basketball team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07fhOVQ9wEA

Rudy - "No one comes into our house and pushes us around"

Jim Telfer on the 1997 Lions tour - "This is your Everest boys"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3S6iGmUjI

Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings

Paul O'Connell The Fear of God

Coach Taylor compilation from Friday Night Lights

"You make sure they remember forever the night they played the Titans"

Scott Quinnell School of Hard Knocks

Coach Brooks in Miracle on Ice

Jamie Vardy Sh*thousery Made Its Premier League Return In Memorable Style v Spurs

"He Trained At 7.30 That Morning" - Armagh Duo Hailed For Commitment To Their Club

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Shane Long Plays First Club GAA Game In 20 Years In Tipp Junior B Championship

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Why The Dublin Marathon Is One Of Europe's Great Sporting Experiences

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13 War Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

The 13 best spy movies with great acting, ranked, the 10 most action-packed james bond movies, ranked.

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"

Geena Davis and Tom Hanks stand in the dugout during a scene from the film A League of Their Own

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"

Gene Hackman standing with his team in Hoosiers

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

The Mighty Ducks
A League of Their Own (1992)

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10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

Slip in your headphones and click over to Youtube. Playing your favorite inspirational sports movie speeches you’ve seen a thousand times can keep you going during rough times. You could do it before that final , in the late-night hours when you’re ready to give up on studying. Or perhaps before a big game of your own—a moment when you really needed to dig into your depths and pull out the kind of grit that sets the winners apart from the losers. Need some motivational videos to keep you going?

Check out these 10 motivational speeches from the sports movies you grew up watching.

1. “inch by inch”— any given sunday.

“I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what living is. The six inches in front of your face.”

In the last 18 years, this speech has been adapted to just about every sport. My team listened to it in silence the night before the last race of my high school rowing career, talk about a good pre-game speech. Then, in the final meters of that race, one of our team members screamed the words at us as we clawed for those inches past the other boat. I’ve never pushed my body so hard. Afterward, I closed that chapter of my life with satisfaction because I knew I gave it my all . We all play the game of inches to keep getting ahead in life. Whether you play football or need to get over an ex, we can strive for those tiny increments that measure our progression.

2. “Great Moments are Born from Great Opportunity”— Miracle

“One game. If we played ‘em 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight.”

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, this movie gave us the classic, inspirational speech to have ever graced film. It may not involve a ton of screaming or cursing. It may not push you into that animalistic place that we call “the zone.” The speech doesn’t make use of the theatric elements that some of the other films do. “ It’s brutally honest , but still inspiring,” Montgomery County Community College freshman Mark Fields said. “He tells them that the Soviets could win a majority of the games, but they won’t win the important ones because the American team worked hard and has something to play for…He pretty much says don’t hit the breaks—shock the world… [and] don’t waste the opportunity they worked so hard to get.” This inspirational speech speaks to you in a calm, determined way that just strikes a chord.

3. “I Don’t Care What the Scoreboard Says”— Hoosiers

“Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here.”

As college students, we’ve had enough life experience thus far to know that when we put in hard work, that doesn’t always lead to the W. Even if we give it our all, drifting to sleep atop our books in the library at 3 a.m., that doesn’t necessarily lead to the A. If you’re doing your best, isn’t that enough?

4. “Perfect”— Friday Night Lights

“To me, being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning. It’s about you and your relationship to yourself and your family and your friends.”

Can you look your friends in the eye and know that you’re telling the truth? That you gave it your all? If you can do that with love in your heart, that’s perfection, according to Coach Gaines in this beloved movie. His speech in this scene incites a moment of honesty, friendship and love among his team members. If it doesn’t choke you up, I don’t know what will. You may think that perfection means being the 4.0 honors student involved in five clubs and a paid internship, but it’s not. Perfection comes in that moment when you recognize that you are working toward a goal with the most pure intentions possible. And when it happens in communion with other people? Beautiful.

5. “It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit”— Rocky Balboa

“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.”

In this scene, the legendary Rocky Balboa gives his son a bit of a reality check by reminding him that life just isn’t fair. It’s just like boxing, and it doesn’t matter how hard you hit back, but how much you can take and keep moving forward. We all struggle, and most of us don’t talk about the truly difficult stuff we deal with at any given moment. So when finals hit with their hardest blows, don’t give up because you feel like your efforts to fight back don’t cut it. “He just says it with such confidence,” Boston College junior Daniel Dreiling said. “I think that’s what makes it so good.” Don’t succumb to the desperation. Take the blows and keep pushing.

6. Remember the Titans

“And you take a lesson from the dead. If we don’t come together, right now, on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed—just like they were.”

This speech definitely puts things in perspective and absolutely applies to circumstances greater than football. We’ve all had disagreements and biases toward other people. Maybe your best friend told you something about another girl that made you think of her in a less-than-flattering light. We do things like that all the time . It doesn’t matter how you feel about another person. You give them respect —end of story. Without respect, we crumble.

7. “There’s No Crying in Baseball”— A League of Their Own

“Are you crying? Are you crying? Are you crying?! There’s no crying!”

This inspirational speech might not have some deep, insightful message that moves you to your core. But do you really need that when Tom Hanks yells the same phrase in hysterics over and over again? “There’s no crying in baseball!” Sometimes we just need a reminder to cut it out with the self-pity . In the middle of a game, or test or interview, you can’t just stop and sob. You get it together and get on with it. Thank you for the sound advice right there, Tom.

8. Coach Carter

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

The first few words of this speech should sound familiar. They were borrowed from a poem written by Marianne Williamson titled “Our Deepest Fear.” Perhaps our we don’t fear inadequacy. Have you ever even considered that, deep down, you really fear reaching the full potential of your power? Maybe we really do set ourselves up to “play small.” We should not be ashamed of confidence.

9. Gridiron Gang

“Now it’s time to see who has a heart.”

This movie might not make it into everyone’s top 10 sports movies, but it adds a message to the mix that hasn’t really been touched upon yet. At some point in your life, other people probably have—for whatever reason—made you feel like something less than a person. But you are somebody . Don’t forget that.

10. “Pride”— Cool Runnings

“Well you want to know what I see? I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-a** mother who don’t take no crap off nobody!”

We all get down on ourselves, especially in college, an insulated community that thrives off of competition and comparison. Your GPA or perceived social standing do not define you. You are special. You are awesome. This scene shows you how to own that, and if it requires some shouting in a mirror to get the message across, then hey, I say go for it.

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11. The Blind Side

“Are you gonna protect the family, Michael?”

If T he Blind Side doesn’t top your list of favorite Sandra Bullock movies, watch this scene again and remember the girl boss character that is Lee Ann Tuohy. In this scene, main character Lee Ann reminds Michael Orr that his football team is his family, and that he needs to protect the family. Remember this scene when you need to be the mom of the group after a night out.

12. We are Marshall

“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. We are…Marshall!”

Ah, another tear jerker, but nonetheless one of the best speeches by Matthew McConaughey’s character, Jack Lengyel. Duke sophomore Coleman Williams said, “The Thundering Herd show that even through adversity and times of struggle, a community can come together through football.” Remember this speech when the fans around you in the stands at your team’s game seem to give up.

13. Friday Night Lights

“Clear eyes, full Hearts, can’t lose”

If you didn’t shed a tear when Coach Taylor mentioned Jason Street getting paralyzed in the first game of the season, by the end of this halftime pep-talk, hearing “ Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose ” as the Dillon Panthers go on to win their state title should at least warm your heart. Wake Forest student Sarah Jane Miles said, “FNL is an amazing, real, heartwarming show that I couldn’t stop watching once I started. It doesn’t hurt having Tim Riggins to look at, either.” This speech should hype you up after you decide to stay in the night before a test despite peer pressure.

14. The Mighty Ducks

“Ducks fly together.”

In this Mighty Ducks halftime speech, Coach Bombay motivates a group of pre-teen ducklings who are down a few points by noting their character outweighs how they play. He says that to win, they need to be themselves. Following the corny speech, every player stands up to recite their hometown, bringing this misfit hockey team together under the USA logo. The same corniness happens when you finally solidify your college squad and decide to stick together through finals and syllabus week, through thick and thin, making this one of the best sports movies out there.

“In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it ain’t gonna never happen.”

In a dialogue between Rudy and Fortune, Rudy basically gets ripped to shreds for complaining he’s not good enough to start for Notre Dame. While, *spoiler alert,* Rudy eventually gets to play in a game, Fortune reminds him to stay humble and sit down (on the bench, literally). We could all use a little reality check like that every once and a while.

16. Rocky IV

“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can: that’s what makes all the difference in your life.”

In Rocky IV, a victorious Rocky impassions his Communist audience to change their ways after defeating his Soviet competition, and he single handedly saves democracy in doing so! Just kidding. Maybe he can prevent our next government shutdown too.

17. The Replacements

“Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory… lasts forever.”

Whether it’s the pain of a break up and moving on or the pain of losing the national championship to Alabama, watching The Replacements can heal you. In this “short and sweet” pep talk from Shane Falco, he opts for a brief rather than inspirational huddle. The pains we go through in college won’t last forever, but that degree will.

18. She’s the Man

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

While Channing Tatum borrowed these words from a president, he still brings the famous quote up to sports-motivation levels. After Viola’s big identity reveal and pre-game winning goal, Duke gives us a little monologue about how they can achieve greatness with a girl on their team. What a guy. “She’s the man is a classic soccer team sleepover movie,” UVA sophomore Courtney Peters said. “It’s funny, lighthearted, and full of moments that are both cringeworthy and hilarious.”

19. The Sandlot

“Everybody gets one chance to do something great.”

When Benny can’t psych himself up to face the Beast, we all felt for him. Our own Beasts scare us every day. When we get our one chance, a dream closet ghost of Babe Ruth should come to our minds too. Ghost Babe Ruth, how do I hit a home run in messaging this Tinder guy?

20. High School Musical

“You only have 16 minutes left in a Wildcats uniform, so make it count.”

The Wildcats make a habit of turning basketball into something that makes everyone want to jump into action with their catchy songs. But this speech right before the opening number of HSM 3 applies to more than the struggle between singing and sports. Remember this speech when you need to make your mark on campus before graduation.

** Updated on January 31, 2018 to include list items 11–20 by Lily Holmes .

10 More Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

Written by Jake Tammara

21. National Lampoon’s Van Wilder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDOeBCHa5xs&ab_channel=MissPoste%2aargw27

Van Wilder is one of Ryan Reynold’s earlier movies in which he stars as an undergraduate college student in his seventh year. Reynold’s character Van gives a speech to his school’s basketball team. He encourages them to step up their defense by stating, “I want you all over that ball like a fat kid on a cupcake!”

“ I’ve seen Van Wilder at least two dozen times and I still laugh when I hear the cupcake line,” Rutgers University sophomore Andre Mirales said.

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder will surely leave the entire fraternity on the floor laughing.

22. Major League 2

In this comedy starring a young Charlie Sheen, the Cleveland Indians need to win more games if they want any chance to win the World Series. Their coach makes it clear to them that they’ll need a winning streak to hold any shot at the title. He then goes on to explain how to get on this winning streak they will need to win two more games. This 1994 sports film remains one that stands out as a film shot before most of Charlie Sheen’s many scandals.

23. The Program

A 1993 film about football, The Program portrays a more realistic and honest version of the game than most other movies. In the film, the ups and downs of a college football program make viewers understand the harsh reality of the sport. In a scene with the team and their coach Sam Winters, he assures his team they have what it takes to win it all, telling them, “ We’re Gonna Ring the Bell .”

24. Poolhall Junkies

In this movie about billiards, Christopher Walken gives what’s known as “The Lion Speech” to Johnny, a contender in a pool competition. Reminding Johnny who the king of the jungle is, Walken’s character Uncle Mike gives the audience one of his most memorable performances. Poolhall Junkies may just inspire you to take up the sport yourself.

25. Field of Dreams

One of the most classic films about baseball , Field of Dreams tells the story about a small-town farm owner named Ray who turned his land into a baseball field. When financial struggles accrue, Ray is urged to sell the land in order to stay afloat.

“Everyone knows that Field of Dreams has some of the most memorable movie quotes: ‘If you build it, they will come,’” Purdue University alumnus Malcolm Haines said.

Longtime baseball fan and author Terrence Mann, played by James Earl Jones, convinces Ray to hold onto the field, ensuring everyone that “people will come.”

26. Little Giants

This 1994 film about a children’s football team features comedy genius Rick Moranis as the team’s head coach Danny O’Shea. When his underdog squad seems to be running out of confidence, he needs to come up with a plan. Coach O’Shea sits them all down in the locker room and tells them the story of how he never could beat his neighbors when they raced. He goes on to explain how eventually, he won… just one time. This speech turned out to be just enough to enhance his self-worth and in turn the teams’ as well.

27. Bull Durham

Another baseball movie, Bull Durham tells the tale of a minor league team and their new pitcher Nuke. Crash Davis, the team’s catcher, decides to take Nuke under his wing and show him the ropes of the minor leagues. In the middle of the film, the audience gets to hear Crash rant about what he believes the rules of baseball should be and boy , does he have a list.

28. Facing the Giants

Though the movie may be about a southern high school football team, Facing the Giants contains lessons that can resonate with students of all ages. In one scene, the team’s coach encourages his player to carry his teammate across the field on his back, telling him to do, “Your Very Best!” This iconic scene went viral for showing just how strong someone can be when they put their all into something.

29. The Wrestler

A film that contains everything from drama to action, The Wrestler provides something for every movie lovers’ taste. The story follows Randy “The Ram” Robinson, played by former boxer Mickey Rourke. In his final round, which he can foretell will be his last, shows appreciation to the fans that loved him since the beginning. The Wrestler may not sound like a dramatic film that could pull at the heart strings, but after watching the final speech in the film viewers will surely struggle to hold back their tears.

30. Moneyball

After walking in on his baseball team basically partying in the locker room after losing a game, Brad Pitt’s character Billy Beane completely loses his cool. Frustrated to say the least, Beane is not very pleased with his roster’s attitude towards competition.

“I’ve seen every Brad Pitt movie and Moneyball definitely has to be in his top 10, if not top five. Movies based on true stories always make for the best films in my opinion,” Stockton University senior Daniel Franco said.

As the general manager for the MLB team the Oakland Athletics, he feels ashamed to see his team having so much fun after a loss. He questions the men, curiously asking them,“Is losing fun?” leaving them silent and embarrassed by their actions.

** Updated on March 17, 2021 to include list items 21–30 by Jake Tammara.

About Shannon Longworth

Shannon is a junior at Boston College, studying English and Communication. Her passions include running, reading, and eating endless jars of peanut butter.

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Who's speaking at the Democratic National Convention? Here's the list.

As the Democratic National Convention in Chicago kicks off Monday, a handful of top party names are set to deliver speeches this week, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Addresses by well-known party names and celebrities will lead up to Vice President Kamala Harris' acceptance of the Democratic Party's presidential nomination Thursday night.

An official speaker schedule hasn't been released yet, but here are a handful of confirmed names expected to hit the stage this week.

Who is speaking at the convention?

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will headline the first night on Monday, which Harris is expected to attend after her bus tour through Pennsylvania. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also set to speak Monday after a welcome from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver a welcome address Tuesday evening ahead of speeches by second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former President Barack Obama.

Before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivers his vice presidential acceptance speech Wednesday night, former President Bill Clinton, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are expected to speak, according to CNN.

Harris will wrap up the convention Thursday night with her acceptance speech.

Former first lady Michelle Obama will also speak sometime this week. She will highlight the importance of civic engagement and voting, according to the Democratic National Committee.

Other speakers include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former President Bill Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, who will speak on behalf of his grandfather.

When is the 2024 Democratic National Convention?

The convention is Monday through Thursday at the United Center in Chicago.

How to watch and stream the Democratic National Convention

The convention will livestream events across multiple platforms.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night, Monday through Thursday.

Each television network will handle coverage slightly differently. Here's a breakdown of the major networks and their coverage plans:

C-SPAN will carry the entire convention uninterrupted for all four days.
CBS News ' prime-time coverage of the convention will air Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m. ET and be anchored by "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell.
ABC News will air one hour of prime-time coverage from 10-11 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday and two hours on Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. ABC News Live, the network's streaming news channel, will stream prime-time coverage from 7 p.m. to midnight all four days.
Fox News will present a nightly hourlong special titled "Fox News Democracy 2024: The Democratic National Convention" each day Monday through Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
CNN will provide nearly 24/7 live on-air coverage, including special live coverage each night from 8 to midnight ET with "CNN Democratic National Convention."
NewsNation will have special prime-time coverage titled "Decision Desk 2024: The Democratic National Convention," which airs each day from 8 to midnight ET. It will be co-anchored by Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert.
NBC News will air the convention on its streaming platform, NBC News Now, as part of its "Decision 2024" broadcast. Coverage will air from 10 to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 9 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. It will be led by Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie, according to The New York Times .
MSNBC will air special coverage from 8 to midnight each night and will livestream all four days of the convention on its YouTube channel, The New York Times reports.

Keeping up with Election 2024? Sign up for USA TODAY's On Politics newsletter.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari

From Kelce to Curry: The 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time Ranked

In this comprehensive compilation, we spotlight the 50 greatest athletes of all time, spanning from the legendary prowess of Travis Kelce to the unparalleled skill of Stephen Curry. Our list celebrates the most iconic, influential, and famed figures in sports, encompassing champions from every professional league. Understanding the complexity of comparing athletes across diverse sports, each demanding unique skills and mental fortitude, our aim is to showcase the elite, the most accomplished, and the pinnacle performers in their respective fields.

When deliberating on who stands out as the ultimate athlete of all time, two critical considerations come to the forefront. The first is the athlete’s innate talent—an essential component given the rarity and significance of natural ability in the sports realm. The second, equally important, factor is the athlete’s capacity to adapt and thrive under any circumstances. It’s a testament to their hard work, unwavering dedication, and strict discipline that sets them apart.

58. Patrick Mahomes

As the dynamic quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes has redefined the position with his arm strength, accuracy, and improvisational play. Since entering the league, he’s quickly ascended to the upper echelon of NFL players, earning an NFL MVP award, a Super Bowl MVP, and leading his team to multiple Super Bowl appearances. Known for his ability to execute high-degree-of-difficulty throws and come through in clutch moments, Mahomes has not only set numerous league records but also captivated fans worldwide with his exciting style of play.

His leadership on and off the field, coupled with his commitment to excellence, makes him a fitting athlete to round out a list of the top 50 greatest athletes across all sports, showcasing the depth of talent and achievement required to be featured among the elite.

57. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane, arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, was a French midfielder who also played for Real Madrid and Juventus. His technical abilities and elegant play were his trademarks.

Zidane was part of the 1998 French World Cup winning team and was the FIFA World Player of the Year.

56. Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk, a professional skateboarder, is known as one of the greatest and most respected of all time. His innovations in the sport are what make him most famous, including his first successful 900-degree spin on skateboards.

Hawk is the winner of multiple championships and X-Games medals and has his own successful product line related to skateboarding. Fun Fact: Tony Hawk’s net worth is around $ 140 million. It’s not bad.

55. Barry Sanders

Barry is one of the favorite runnings back. He was a shifty runner who could cause people to miss the right direction and make them change their minds. He was a running back for the Detroit Lions, and many people agree that he is the greatest.

He was a ten-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into The Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004). Imagine what he would do if he wasn’t stuck with the Lions for his entire career.

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2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony Full Recap: Tom Cruise Repels from the Roof, Snoop Dogg Performs and More

Team USA's athletes ended their time in Paris with appearances by Tom Cruise and H.E.R

Luke Hales/Getty Images

It's time to say goodbye to the 2024 Olympics — and usher in another Games.

The Paris Games closing ceremony was held at Stade de France on Sunday, Aug. 11, and reunited the thousands of athletes who competed throughout 16 days of incredible victories and devastating losses.

While Team USA was present (again, clad in Ralph Lauren ), so were some of America's biggest stars, set to celebrate the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

H.E.R . sang the U.S. national anthem as part of the LA28 handover, while Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise performed a skydiving stunt (part live and part pre-recorded).

Keep reading for a full recap of the exciting festivities.

A Dramatic Performance of 'My Way' Closes Out the Paris Olympics

French songstress Yseult performed an epic and dramatic performance of "My Way" to conclude the 2024 closing ceremony.

The song was chosen due to its ties to both France and America, as the version popularized by Frank Sinatra was set to the music of French hit, "Comme d'habitude."

Yseult sang in English, with the final concluding notes accompanied by fireworks all around Stade de France.

Léon Marchand Enters the Arena with the Olympic Flame

French swimmer Léon Marchand is back with the Olympic flame, now entering Stade de France and taking the stage.

Alongside other athletes and IOC President Thomas Bach, they blew out the flame.

Paralympic athletes were then highlighted on the stage as the start of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris approaches.

Snoop Dogg Is Back in the U.S. — and Performing His Hits!

2024's Olympics ambassador Snoop Dogg is back home in California, and performing some of his biggest hits for the closing ceremony.

After Eilish's set concluded, Snoop Dogg performed "Drop It Like It's Hot" followed by "The Next Episode" with Dr. Dre.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for LA28

At the conclusion of Snoop Dog's performance in Venice Beach, a cloud of smoke in the colors of the Olympic rings was set off.

Billie Eilish Performs 'Birds of a Feather' from Lifeguard Shack

Just as teased, Billie Eilish was part of the 2024 closing ceremony handover to Los Angeles 2028.

Following up the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eilish sang her latest hit, "Birds of a Feather" with help from her brother Finneas.

Eilish wore a Ralph Lauren polo in red, white and blue for her big moment, which had her singing from a classic Los Angeles lifeguard shack.

Finneas, too, was in his Ralph Lauren finest, wearing a blue blazer with the Team USA emblem.

Tom Cruise Repels from the Roof of Stade de France — and Gets Smooched by an Olympian

Tom Cruise delivered on his promise of an epic stunt, repelling from the roof of Stade de France and walking to the stage amid hordes of excited athletes — including one who stole a kiss on his cheek.

Cruise then accepted the Olympic flag from Simone Biles, before hopping on a motorcycle and hitting the streets of Paris.

He wound up in an airplane, eventually parachuting down to the Hollywood sign in pre-recorded footage. Cruise turned the sign into the Olympic rings, before handing off the bike to U.S. cyclist Kate Courtney.

Courtney delivered the flag to Olympian Michael Johnson, who delivered it to skateboarder Jagger Eaton.

Eaton and the flag ultimately ended up in Venice Beach, right in time for a Red Hot Chili Peppers performance.

Simone Biles Helps with the Olympic Flag Handover from Paris to Los Angeles

To officially begin the Summer Olympic Games hosting duties, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo handed the Olympic flag over to Los Angeles' Mayor, Karen Bass.

Bass then walked the flag to Team USA's most-decorate gymnast, Simone Biles, who held the flag while H.E.R. sang the U.S. national anthem.

FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

Tom Cruise Gets Into His Harness at Stade de France

Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images

Ahead of the 2024 closing ceremony, it was announced that Tom Cruise would be performing a gravity-defying stunt to help usher in L.A. 2028.

As Thomas Bach, IOC president, gave a speech on Sunday, Cruise was spotted in the Stade de France getting put into a harness.

The handover ceremony is up next!

Other Artists — Including Ezra Koenig — Keep the Party Going with Live Performances

During the live performance section of the 2024 closing ceremony, "Nightcall" was performed by French EDM artist Kavinsky with help from Angèle. VannDa also joined the group on the stage.

This was followed by another Phoenix song, "If I Ever Feel Better." Then, Vampire Weekend lead Ezra Koenig joined the band for "Tonight."

Their mega-hit "1901" was next up, as the NBC cameras showed the Team USA athletes jumping and dancing next to the stage.

Phoenix Takes the Closing Ceremony Stage to Perform 'Lisztomania'

Steph Chambers/Getty Image

French indie band Phoenix took the stage at the 2024 closing ceremony to perform their 2009 hit, "Lisztomania," as athletes gathered around the artists and rocked out.

During the chorus, the full theatre could be heard singing, "Think less but see it grow / Like a riot, like a riot, oh / Not easily offended / Not hard to let it go / From a mess to the masses / Lisztomania."

Pianist Alain Roche Plays 'The Hymn to Apollo' from a Suspended Piano

Talk about incredible feats!

Pianist Alain Roche played 'The Hymn to Apollo' while being suspended from the air on his back, a piano also being held from the sky above him.

Eventually, opera singer Benjamin Bernheim joined him, standing in the middle of one of the rings while he performed the song.

A 'Golden Voyager' Arrives at the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony — from the Sky

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Inspired by French history, a "Golden Voyager" arrived at Stade de France from the sky.

According to a media guide, the character is pulled from multiple references, including Génie de la Liberté, a gilded statue located in Place de la Bastille in Paris, as well as interstellar time capsule the Voyager Golden Record, which was launched into space in 1977.

With help from characters from the opening ceremony — the masked torchbearer and horseman — the voyager carried the Greek flag, in honor of the birthplace of the Olympics. They planted the flag amid the desolate and dark landscape created on the Stade de France stage.

A replica of "The Winged Victory of Samothrace," a statue of the goddess Nike that resides in the Louvre, then rose from the stage.

Other explorers then took the stage to help the voyager to exhume the Olympic rings.

MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

Allyson Felix, Track and Field's Most Decorated Women, Honored as Part of Athlete's Commission

Allyson Felix was honored alongside other newly-elected members of the International Olympic Committee's Athlete's Commission on Sunday from the stage at Stade de France.

For these Games, Felix helped to create a family space in the Olympic Village for athletes with young children.

"It's an amazing place to start," she told PEOPLE of the space. "I would love to keep growing it. But now, it feels like a home . . . and that's what it's meant to be."

Winners of Women's Marathon Presented with Their Medals

The final victory ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games is being held with the biggest audience yet — the closing ceremony crowd of tens of thousands.

The winners of the women's marathon, held on Sunday morning, were presented with their medals during the ceremony. The Netherlands' Sifan Hassan won gold, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa took silver and Kenya's Hellen Obiri was the bronze medalist.

Team USA's Athletes Call Olympic Games in Paris 'Incredible' — and 'Hot'

In a Team USA video of the athletes all dressed in their Ralph Lauren closing ceremony outfits, they were tasked with describing the Games in one word (though some used two — or three).

"Incredible" was a popular choice, though so was "hot" — in reference to the minor heatwave Paris experienced during the two weeks of events.

Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead Proudly Carry the U.S. Flag Into Stade de France

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Along with representatives of the other 204 delegations, the Team USA flagbearers, Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead, entered Stade de France proudly carrying the American flag.

In contrast to the opening ceremony — where the delegations did the Parade of Nations in boats on the Seine — Mead and Ledecky walked in with the other country's flagbearers.

"It's incredible," Mead told NBC's Mike Tirico from the stage at Stade de France. "I'm so honored to be standing next to Katie to represent the us and the sport of rowing as the first rowing flagbearer."

The U.S. was the last country to enter the arena, as California will be the next to host a Games.

Only then, did the rest of the athlete delegations enter the arena to join Ledecky and Mead.

The Closing Ceremony by the Numbers

There's a lot involved in making sure this closing ceremony goes just right.

270 artists and performers are participating, with 9,000 athletes and staff expected as well, according to a media guide.

The Stade de France drew in over 71,000 spectators — and it's a good thing, as there were 35 days of rehearsal leading up to the big event.

French Swimmer Léon Marchand Begins the Return Journey of the Olympic Flame

French swimmer Léon Marchand, who won five medals — including four golds — this Olympic Games, entered the Jardin des Tuileries and grabbed a small gold lantern containing a flame.

Marchand, 22, then walked toward the Louvre with the lantern. According to a media guide, the small lantern contains the Olympic flame.

Interestingly enough, the 2024 cauldron was not actually lit by a real flame — instead, it was a combination of LED lights and a water mist creating the burning effect.

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Closing Ceremony Kicks Off with Performance by French Artist Zaho de Sagazan

Underneath the 2024 Olympic cauldron, French singer Zaho de Sagazan performed a rendition of "Sous le ciel de Paris," a song original made popular by French icon Edith Piaf.

De Sagazan was accompanied by a choir from the Haendel-Hendrix Academy for the performance in the Jardin des Tuileries.

Team USA's Closing Ceremony Flagbearers Are Katie Ledecky, Nick Mead

Much like for an Olympic opening ceremony, the closing ceremony also highlights two athletes from each country as flag bearers.

The chosen Olympians for Team USA for the Aug. 11 closing ceremony are: Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead.

In a statement at the time of the announcement, Ledecky — now the most decorated female American Olympian — said, "I am so proud of this team’s accomplishments in Paris and excited to celebrate with my teammates on Sunday."

Here Are The Colleges With The Most 2024 Olympic Medals—And What To Know About Them

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: A general view of Hoover Tower through the arches of the Main Quadrangle ... [+] on the campus of Stanford University before a college football game against the Oregon Ducks on October 2, 2021 played at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which concluded this week, showcased not only the incredible talents of athletes from around the world, but also the American universities where many of them trained for their successes. From exceptional programs in swimming and gymnastics to track and field, certain colleges have consistently produced Olympians who go on to achieve extraordinary success—both during and after their collegiate careers.

Whether you hope to join the ranks of Olympic athletes or simply dream of donning your school colors and cheering your classmates on to gold, here’s what you need to know about the U.S. colleges and universities whose athletes took home the most medals in Paris this summer:

Stanford University

Number of Medals: 39

Notable Athletes: Brody Malone (Gymnastics), Asher Hong (Gymnastics), Katie Ledecky (Swimming)

What to know about the school: Stanford University is known as one of the most prestigious universities in the nation; it is consistently ranked as a top ten school by U.S. News and World Report , ranking third in 2024. But academics is not the only area in which Stanford excels. With a litany of Olympic champions, the university has made a name for itself with student-athletes. Prior to this Olympic Games, the school boasted 296 medals from 177 medalists, including Katie Ledecky , the most decorated American female athlete in history. This summer marked a record-breaking year for Stanford athletics, taking home the most medals of any university and breaking their all-time record for most medals won in a single Olympic Games.

University of California, Berkeley

Number of Medals: 23

Notable Athletes: Ryan Murphy (Swimming), Abbey Weitzel (Swimming), Jack Alexy (Swimming)

What to know about the school: UC Berkeley, also known as Cal, is another highly ranked institution for both academics and athletics. With an impressive array of over 300 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools, the university offers a rich and diverse environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and challenge themselves—whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the pool. The school’s athletic program, particularly in swimming, has produced numerous Olympians and medalists. This year, the school sent 59 athletes to the Games and earned 23 medals; tying with its already existing record of 23 medals. This number brings the school to 246 all-time Olympic medals, with 126 golds.

University of Texas, Austin

Number of Medals: 16

Notable Athletes: Scottie Scheffler (Golf), Ryan Crouser (Shot Put), Julien Alfred (Track & Field), Kevin Durant (Basketball)

What to know about the school: Established in 1883 , UT Austin has grown into a leading public research university with a diverse student body of over 50,000 students from all 50 states and 130 countries. The university has a vibrant sports culture that has consistently produced dozens of top-tier athletes. While the university has a history of Olympic excellence, with 162 athletes having earned 156 medals prior to this summer, the Paris Olympics saw a historic delegation from the school, with 30 UT-affiliated athletes competing. UT saw particular success in Track & Field, with the talents of Julien Alfred and Ryan Crouser captivating viewers from around the world.

University of Southern California

Number of Medals: 15

Notable Athletes: Rai Benjamin (Track & Field, formerly UCLA), Anna Cockrell (Track & Field)

What to know about the school: The University of Southern California holds the record for the most Olympic medals won by any U.S. institution, having earned 326 medals prior to the 2024 Olympic Games. This summer, USC saw particular success in water polo, with USC-affiliated athletes winning gold, silver, and bronze for Spain, Australia, and the U.S.A., respectively. The Trojan spirit , characterized by a deep sense of community and loyalty, permeates every aspect of campus life at USC, encouraging students to excel not only in their academic pursuits but also in their personal, professional, and athletic development.

University of California, Los Angeles

Number of Medals: 14

Notable Athletes: Jordan Chiles (Gymnastics), Tom Daly (Diving)

What to know about the school: The #1 ranked public university in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report , the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a highly sought-after institution for its academics—but UCLA is also an athletic powerhouse, boasting 284 Olympic medals in total. In addition to the high-profile wins of Jordan Chiles (who announced her intention to return to UCLA to compete following the Olympics) and Tom Daly, UCLA also saw Olympic success in Track & Field and water polo.

University of Virginia

Notable Athletes: Kate Douglass (Swimming), Gretchen Walsh (Swimming)

What to know about the school: Consistently ranked in the Top 5 athletic standings in the NCAA and with 750 student athletes competing on 27 varsity teams, University of Virginia is a hub for excellence both on and off the field. UVA is yet another U.S. school to dominate in the pool during the 2024 Olympic Games, taking home three gold medals in the women’s 4x100 meter relay, one in the mixed 4x100 meter relay, and another in the 200 meter breaststroke. In total, 11 of the 14 medals earned by Cavalier athletes were in swimming events. Given that UVA-affiliated athletes earned 10% of the medals won for Team U.S.A. during the Games, this summer is likely to boost the university’s recruiting efforts—particularly drawing new students into the pool.

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COMMENTS

Top 10 Incredible Speeches Given by Athletes
Here are the top 10 speeches of all time delivered by athletes. 10 10. Tim Thomas. Tim Thomas's acceptance of the 2009 Vezina award was very humble and Thomas was clearly moved as he delivered his speech. It was a short but sweet speech, but he managed to win everyone's hearts when he modestly claimed that he had been "more worried about ...
Famous Sports Speeches
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 ...
7 most memorable Pro Football Hall of Fame speeches in the last 20
2. Brett Favre, Class of 2016. One of the most emotional Hall of Fame speeches in recent memory is Brett Favre's from 2016. "This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you," Favre ...
ESPYS 2021: Best Speeches of All Time
Ahead of the 2021 ESPY Awards, hosted by Anthony Mackie and airing Saturday night, July 10, on ESPN, take a look back at some of the show's best speeches of all time. "Don't ever give up." — Jim ...
Best Motivation From The Greatest Athletes Of All Time
THE G.O.A.T. The Ultimate Motivational Video featuring Advice From The Greatest Athletes of All Time! A must see new Motivational Speech series from Motivers...
The Greatest Motivational Speeches in Sports History
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 ...
5 Best Sports Speeches of All Time, Ranked
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.
Greatest Motivational Speech from the Greatest Athletes of All Time
Watch this epic compilation of motivational speeches from the best athletes in the world! Get inspired by their stories and wisdom. Learn from the best. If y...
Olympic athletes in Paris won medals and voiced wisdom : NPR
A Reporter's Notebook: Athletes at sports press conferences are famous for talking in clichés. But at the Paris Games, a lot of Olympians went deep, voicing wisdom and sharing their truths.
Top 10 : the most memorable speeches in the history of Grand Slam
The most comfortable with speeches : Marat Safin at the Australian Open in 2005. At the start of the 2005 season, Marat Safin won his second - and last - Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open. Under the Melbourne sun, the Russian felt relaxed. Three years earlier, after his defeat against Thomas Johansson, he had amused the crowd by ...
The Greatest Motivational Speeches Of All-Time
Being a well-rounded person is just as important as being an elite athlete — so don't take your education for granted! 1. "I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book, we'll be winners!". — Norman Dale, Hoosiers. Perhaps one the greatest motivational speech in one of the greatest sports movies of all ...
5 Great Motivational Sporting Speeches
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.
A List of 10 Greatest Sports Speeches of All Time
Check it yourself! 9. Muhammad Ali's Speeches. Even if you are not familiar with the world, you've certainly heard Muhammad Ali 's quotes, His words inspire millions of people all over the world, making him a star. Muhammad Ali is almost unbeatable when it comes to motivational speaking. 10. Michael Irvin's Speeches.
Best 10 Motivational Sports Speeches in History
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.
16 Of The Greatest Motivational Sports Speeches In History
Tagged: Sports, Motivational, Sports Quotes. "Tonight is not about the past and it's not about the future. It's about right now. And you guys have gotta want this night to last forever.". — Billy Donovan , The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive.
Michael Jordan Leaves The Audience SPEECHLESS ― One Of The Best
Michael Jordan, businessman and former professional basketball player, delivers one of the best motivational/inspirational speeches you will ever hear. Liste...
The 9 Most Inspirational Sports Speeches Ever
Here are the best and most inspirational speeches by sports figures of all time. Get ready to be pumped. Paul O 'Connell. The now infamous 'Manic Agression' Speech. In the absence of captain Brain O'Driscoll in 2007 v France POC stepped in at the last minute to make one of the best speeches ever by an Irishman.
17 Inspirational Sports Speeches That Will Have You Running Through
Jimmy Valvano at the 1993 ESPYs. Jim's 1993 ESPY Speech. Coach Gaines from the Friday Night Lights film. A mashup of Páidí Ó Sé's speech from Marooned and Al Pacino's from Any Given Sunday ...
10 Most Inspiring Sports Movie Speeches of All-Time
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 ...
Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony: Biggest Moments and Performances
Below, see all the best moments from the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. Zaho de Sagazan Kicks Things Off From the Jardin des Tuileries. French singer-songwriter Zaho de Sagazan, who sang ...
He's Known as 'El Terrible'—and He Might Be the Greatest Olympic
He's Known as 'El Terrible'—and He Might Be the Greatest Olympic Athlete of All Time Greco-Roman wrestler Mijaín López is a legend in his sport, a colossus who once went more than 10 ...
10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies
Check out these 10 motivational speeches from the sports movies you grew up watching. 1. "Inch by Inch"— Any Given Sunday. Any Given Sunday Speech Al Pachino HD 'Inch by Inch'.mov. Watch on. "I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what living is.
Democratic convention 2024 speaker lineup so far
ABC News will air one hour of prime-time coverage from 10-11 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday and two hours on Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. ABC News Live, the network's streaming ...
10 Beautiful Moments at the Paris Olympics
For the first time in Olympic gymnastics history, three Black athletes shared a podium, with Rebeca Andrade of Brazil earning gold in the women's floor exercise final, Simone Biles receiving ...
The best Oscars speeches of all time
The best Oscars speeches of all time Halle Berry. For her role in 2001's Monster's Ball, Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. As she walked onto ...
From Kelce to Curry: The 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time Ranked
In this comprehensive compilation, we spotlight the 50 greatest athletes of all time, spanning from the legendary prowess of Travis Kelce to the unparalleled skill of Stephen Curry. Our list celebrates the most iconic, influential, and famed figures in sports, encompassing champions from every professional league. Understanding the complexity of comparing athletes across diverse sports, […]
Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony: Full Recap
The 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony was held on Aug. 11 in the Stade de France. Team USA's athletes ended their time in Paris with appearances by Tom Cruise and H.E.R. Read for a full recap.
DNC 2024 live updates: Biden's speech, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and
Biden's speech hit the 38-minute mark, officially surpassing the length of his 2012 vice presidential acceptance speech. The speech is also longer than his 2020 nomination acceptance speech and ...
Here Are The Colleges With The Most 2024 Olympic Medals—And ...
While the university has a history of Olympic excellence, with 162 athletes having earned 156 medals prior to this summer, the Paris Olympics saw a historic delegation from the school, with 30 UT ...
Closing Ceremony Highlights: Paris Sends the Games, Via Tom Cruise, to
Unfortunately, a long and bureaucratic speech and a bizarre L.A. 2028 video montage filmed thousands of miles away have really killed the vibe. Still, a chorus of "Léon" chants broke out.