Athletic Recognition Quotes

It's a great honor to be an Under Armour All-American and to follow in the fast-growing tradition of this game. It's a great opportunity to spend the New Year in Florida, which is going to be a little warmer than Buffalo.

I was a two-star athlete. I got looked over.

Gold Gloves are nice to have people mention. They're basically saying you're a pretty good defensive player along with everything else. But I was about the offensive side.

My dad really wanted to be in the Hall Of Fame, and it was something we talked about a lot.

It is unusual for a coach to call you, just from a fundamental standpoint and say 'hey we're watching what you do.'

In high school you just kind of go with it, you belong to a sport and you're lettering and there is a very social part. With cycling, a lot of people will steer away because you can't letter, and lettering is still cool and it's very important for scholarships and other stuff.

To be called up to the national team is what you want.

We have the greatest Hall of all the Halls. And to be able to join these men, on this stage, in football heaven is the greatest day of my life.

In 2003, being Virginia Player of the Year was an amazing feeling because I think that was the moment I realized I could actually, really go far in my sport, and I was actually, really good at something. At that moment, I knew that I could play at a high level.

I have taken a leap forward at United which has allowed me to get into the national side.

Any player that says they don't want to go to an All-Star Game is lying to you. It's something everyone wants to be a part of.

To know that you will be in the International Sports Hall of Fame and that people for hundreds of years will know who you are and what you did, it means everything.

Wrestling isn't looked upon like the other sports of football, baseball, basketball and hockey.

Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world. That is the ultimate salute to my life.

I know a little about Hack (Wilson) because his picture is next to my locker. I am lucky to be there at the right time. People will now remember two guys, Hack Wilson and myself, and the season is not over yet.

It had been a long journey for me just to get drafted. I had to work very hard as a collegiate player just to get recognized, being at a small school.

Nowadays a gold medal is a $1 million contract. Our athletes are our heroes.

But I just want to be known for my football.

Wherever I go, I now easily get the attention of the sports fraternity.

I played three seasons when I was in MLS before I went to Europe, and every year, I was able to be selected for the All-Star, which was an honor.

It ranks right up there with winning a championship, being selected as one of the 50 greatest athletes in the NBA. It's definitely a highlight in my career.

Women today are respected as athletes now and that's a really cool thing to see.

I don't care about winning an MVP - the MVP doesn't mean you're the best player in the league.

You know, I was once named Minor League Player of the Year... unfortunately, I had been in the majors for two years at the time.

People were actually approaching me on the street and thinking that I was an athlete. They couldn't quite place it, but a runner, or swimmer or something.