Get inspired with our 30 best sports quotes

Have you ever felt at a loss for words when writing a social media bio or caption? These spaces present a unique challenge: you want to send a meaningful message, but you’ve got a limited number of characters to work with.

Next time you find yourself staring at a blank screen while trying to draft the perfect blurb, why not seek inspiration from some of history’s most significant role models? Athletes who’ve worked to overcome physical and mental obstacles on the road to success often have the most insightful, motivating words to share.

We’ve compiled some of the best sports quotes of all time to get you motivated and help craft the perfect caption for a post or bio that stands out from the crowd.

Why use an inspirational sports quote?

Your social media captions and bios can be as serious, humorous, relevant, or ridiculous as you want. You could drop in a joke or tell the world about your love for bagels, but if you’re setting up a professional account or want to inspire others in your community, you’ll want to choose your words wisely. Let a motivational sports quote remind followers to keep working hard even when the going gets tough.

30 of history’s best sports quotes to inspire you

You don’t have to be an athlete to feel inspired by some of history’s most resounding quotes. Athletes may have spoken these famous sports quotes with the field or court in mind, but they apply well to many of life’s arenas:

1. “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – Mary Lou Retton
2. “Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.” – Bill Bowerman
3. “You have to have a real love of your sport to carry you through all the bad times.” – Nancy Greene
4. “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer
5. “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee
6. “It’s not whether you get knocked down – it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
7. “When people throw stones at you, you turn them into milestones.” – Sachin Tendulkar
8. “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” – Ernie Banks
9. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” – Fred DeVito
10. “The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” – Pelé
11. “You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.” – Herb Brooks
12. “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” – Mike Singletary
13. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
14. “Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.” – Phil Jackson
15. “The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit – but the greatest of these is spirit.” – Ken Doherty
16. “Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson
17. “You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is a real joy.” – Arthur Ashe
18. “You make your own luck. You make it in training.” – Simone Biles
19. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.” – Muhammad Ali
20. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King
21. “Take your victories – whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them.” – Mia Hamm
22. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth
23. “Today, you have 100% of your life left.” – Tom Landry
24. “You can't win if you don't play as a unit.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
25. “Success is never final, failure is never fatal, and it's courage that counts.” – John Wooden
26. “Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.” – Knute Rockne
27. “It's good to be successful, but it's great to be significant.” – Lou Holtz
28. “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” – Matt Biondi
29. “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.” – Ronnie Lott
30. “What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” – Andre Agassi

Turning inspiration into action

No matter what kind of work you do, you may sometimes find yourself in a slump. A motivational quote helps, but how can you turn those words into actions? Here are a few tips for tackling your goals:

• Start small: Set reasonable short-term goals. You’ll get a rush of pride and satisfaction when you succeed, and this sensation will push you to continue moving forward. Training for a marathon? Crush a local 5K before trying to run a full 26.2 miles.
• Talk about your goals: Share what you’re working on with friends, family members and the social media community. When you’re struggling, you’ll have a support system that can cheer you on.
• Write down why you want to reach your goal: What is it about completing a marathon that calls to you? Whether you’re driven by a desire to improve your health or just want to have fun, write down your reasons to remind yourself why you’re training so hard. Consider jotting your ideas down on sticky notes and placing them somewhere that’s often in your lines of sight, such as a mirror or the corner of your computer screen. If your own words don’t motivate you, put one of our inspirational athletes’ quotes on a sticky note, or save it as your phone wallpaper.

Sports bios to inspire you

Find a quote you love? Get ready to share it. Here’s how three well-known athletes and sports organizations use Linktree in their bio to motivate friends and fans:

1. The NFL

The NFL combines motivation and humor, reminding fans of a great athlete’s power and potential while keeping it short, sweet, and quippy.

2. Venus Williams

Tennis star Venus Williams leaves us with a brief but powerful message to “be well.” She also fills us in on her other projects, such as her activewear brand and design firm. Referencing brands you represent or organizations important to you is also an excellent use of the space in a social media bio.

3. Tony Hawk

Ultimate cool dad and skater Tony Hawk use his bio to tell us what’s close to his heart. Instead of quoting another athlete, Hawk includes lyrics from a song followers can assume has been influential in his life.