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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.
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5 Best Sports Speeches of All Time, Ranked
Sports speeches have the power to unite, inspire, and motivate people to achieve greatness both on and off the field. 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.
Valvano, a beloved basketball coach for NC State, delivered a heartfelt and courageous speech as he battled cancer. He shared his perspective on sports and life, emphasizing the importance of cherishing every moment and never giving up. In the address, he says, “I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have to spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going, to be enthusiastic every day.” From a man fighting terminal cancer, Valvano’s speech was moving yet inspirational, making this one of the best sports speeches ever recorded. He ended his heartfelt speech with these words: “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.”
#4 – “The Greatest” by Muhammad Ali
Ali, known for his prowess in the boxing ring as well as his activism outside of it, gave this speech before one of his most highly anticipated fights against Sonny Liston in 1964. In this speech, Ali confidently claims that he is the greatest boxer of all time , captivating the audience with his charisma and self-assuredness. But what makes “The Greatest” memorable is Ali’s ability to address larger societal issues. He challenges the status quo and encourages standing up against racial injustice. Ali’s powerful words and unwavering self-belief made him not just a sports figure, but also a cultural icon and symbol of the civil rights movement.
“Don’t count the days; make the days count.” – Muhammed Ali
#3 – “The Pyramid of Success” by John Wooden, 1974
The speech was intended to provide Wooden’s players with a blueprint for success, both on and off the court. Wooden’s approach was centered around the concept of a pyramid, with each block representing a different element of success. The blocks included industriousness, friendship, loyalty, enthusiasm, skill, and cooperation , among others. Wooden emphasized the importance of focusing on the process, rather than the outcome, and encouraged his players to strive for personal growth and improvement. He also emphasized the importance of character and integrity, stating that those who conduct themselves with honesty and responsibility will ultimately achieve success. “The Pyramid of Success” is still widely taught and referenced by coaches worldwide.
#2 – “The Miracle on Ice” by Herb Brooks
“The Miracle on Ice” was delivered by coach Herb Brooks prior to the matchup between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. This speech is hailed as a defining moment in sports history, and here’s why:
The United States hockey team was considered a massive underdog against the dominant Soviet Union team. Brooks had the difficult task of inspiring his team and instilling belief that they could defeat the Soviets, who were heavily favored to win. Brooks emphasized the importance of playing as a cohesive team, and on the pride that would come from representing the United States with honor and determination. The “Miracle on Ice” game resulted in a stunning victory for the United States. The speech has become legendary due to United States’ incredible, unexpected win, solidifying it as one of the greatest sports speeches ever.
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#1 – “Luckiest Man” by Lou Gehrig
During 1938, baseball legend Lou Gehrig began experiencing fatigue and physical difficulties while playing. When his condition worsened, he visited the Mayo Clinic and received the diagnosis of ALS. ALS would eventually take Gehrig’s life, but in his iconic speech delivered July 4, 1939, despite his body ravaged by the crippling disease, Gehrig states, “For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” What is the reason for Gehrig’s optimism? Gehrig credits the amazing people in his life , including his mother-in-law, parents, and wife, who was “a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed[.]” He closed his speech, “So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”
These top five best sports speeches have become iconic for their ability to capture the essence of sports and the human spirit. Because in the end, it’s not just about the games we play or the victories we achieve, it’s about the lessons learned, the relationships formed, and the impact made.
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