If You Don't Believe Me: Lessons Learned From Listening to the Greats

When it comes to the great sports and entertainment figures of our time, more often than not, we readily remember the home runs, the touchdown passes, the baskets made and other public accomplishments. This is the material that generates talk of greatness about individual athletes. Their statistics roll off our tongues. We know their numbers, but we don't always remember their spoken words. Sure, there have been many athletes who have exhibited the gift of gab - from Yogi Berra's silly quips to Charles Barkley's sometimes-playful, sometimes-controversial rants. But there were other words also spoken; be it after a game, before a practice, in the quiet of the locker room on an off-day or in a setting far away from the playing field. These words may not have appeared in a newspaper or been heard during a television or radio broadcast.These are great lines spoken by some of the greatest performers of our time. And I've taken the liberty to tailor some of them to suit the lessons in life that so many of us still are learning today. Some are the words spoken directly from the most accomplished performers who ever lived. These are quotes from great individuals that have the potential to move you as they moved me.It was a privilege to watch great athletes perform at the highest level of competition. Witnessing the ascension to greatness - from high school standout to college All-American to the professional ranks... from rookies to all-stars, all-stars to champions and champions to Hall of Famers...