I think that at the start of a game, you're always playing to win, and then maybe if you're ahead late in the game, you start playing not to lose. The true competitors, though, are the ones who always play to win.
Interpretation
Competing to win is key, even when ahead; true competitors always strive for victory.
In this quote, Tom Brady emphasizes the mindset of a true competitor, suggesting that while one may play defensively when in a favorable position, the essence of competitiveness is rooted in the relentless pursuit of victory. The greatest athletes focus on winning regardless of circumstances, showcasing a commitment to excellence that defines their character and drive.
In practice
In a motivational speech for a sports team before a big match.
You can't score if you're turning it over. It's like a punt. If you go out and you punt 12 times, you're not scoring points. That's not good. So, when you turn the ball over and throw interceptions, you're giving the other team more opportunities and your team less opportunities.
I don't go to bed at 1 A.M. and wake up at 5 A.M. and say, 'Let's see if I can get this done today.'
It's a real strength for me that I've never minded the training process. It's something I enjoy. I really like being in the gym or, certainly, on the field.
The true competitors, though, are the ones who always play to win.
Mentally, the only players who survive in the pros are the ones able to manage all their responsibilities. Everybody struggles in different ways.
You can't go out and practice average on Wednesday, average on Thursday, okay on Friday and then expect to play well on Sunday.
People want athletes to cater to their image of what an athlete should be, but they also want them to fail so they can feel like their screwups are all right. If I make a priority shift, I'll make it because it's best for me.
The less versatile you are, the better you have to be at what you do well.
There are many stars and a few super-stars in sport. There are champions who bag a coronet now and then, and there are others who dominate some game year after year. In other words there are Bobby Jones and Helen Wills.
I wish for a world where success is measured not by what we take nor by what we get. Just by what we give. And who we become.
If you are playing bad you are going to lose here, on clay, on ice, or on the beach.
Some are born great, others achieve greatness.
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