Liu Xiang Quotes

Deacon Jones has been the most inspirational person in my football career.

I wore No. 19 because of Bryan Trottier. I liked the overall aspect of his game. I liked the way he conducted himself on the ice. He was a quiet guy. He played really hard; just a good all-around, prototypical center man who could do everything.

I was also very lucky to be a teammate of two of the greatest players to have ever played the game. I learned very early on by playing for Frank Robinson and with Henry Aaron that even the greatest players in the game were just one of the guys.

I'm a role model as a footballer and not as a politician. I want to see myself as a footballer. People respect me for my performances. That's why they support me, and I'm very thankful for that. But I'm not a politician.

I still think about the first time I met Lennox Lewis, and he took the time out to talk to me, and he showed me different techniques. I'll never forget. Lennox was one of those guys that set the standard. He's a hard act to follow. But I love a challenge.

One of the reasons I wear No. 2 is because of him. Yeah, he was ultimate team guy. He was a winner. And just a good guy for a kid to look up to. And I always pretended to be Jeter.

I grew up watching the Williams sisters. I did a lot of research on Serena and kind of stole some things from her.

I don't care what anybody says: a pro athlete is going to be a role model. I tried to use that as a positive influence, to let kids know we are regular people.

My father was a footballer, and he has inspired me.

I want to be a professional athlete who plays for the love of the game, never quits trying to give my best and is a good role model for all of the kids who look up to baseball players.

Paul Scholes was the main figure for me growing up. His attitude, he's humble off the pitch - you didn't hear much about him - but on the pitch, he was loud, aggressive, liked to tackle, and I learned off him.

Playing with Tom Watson, I grew up a little bit. Even if he didn't say something to you, even if he didn't give you advice, you have grown up just watching him. It was great.

I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.

I had massive admiration for lots of players. Richard Hill would be up there, along with Martin Johnson.

Donald Evans is a favorite person of mine. His worth ethic, his attitude and his dedication really set him apart.

I might not be Shaq, but I can be Kobe, you know?

There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.

In terms of being a role model, I didn't start out to be one. I don't go to work every day with that in mind. But, I do get a lot of fan mail from young girls.

I learned a lot from my father. I'm very lucky to have a father who was a professional athlete.

Anyway, I've never been captain in 16 years in the NHL. But that didn't stop me being a leader in my own way.

Whether we like it or not, we are high-profile athletes. We're role models. Kids come up to me all the time to talk and it makes me remember when I was a kid and I got to meet Jerry Rice and how much that meant to me. And how we've got to set a good example.

I would advise all youths aspiring to athletic fame or a professional career to practice clean living, fair play and good sportsmanship.

There were high school coaches such as Charles Boston that took me under his wing and taught me the fundamentals of football. And when I went to college there was Robert Hill who took me there and he showed me what hard work and determination would do if you put forth the effort and you take a little time.

I was fortunate to play for Pete Rose and have teammates like Ken Griffey Sr., Tony Perez and Dave Concepcion. I grew up in the game with a mature attitude. I've always known it was better to be seen and not heard.

I do genuinely believe that young people who play sport at a competitive level, sensibly controlled, sensibly organised, that has to be a good thing. It will teach them to win, it will teach them to lose with dignity and magnanimity - all the things you want. It's a pretty good metaphor for life.