--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always want my players to show class…" description: "\"I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.\" — Bear Bryant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png" --- # I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat… ![“I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.” quote by Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png) > “I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.” [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He wants his players to demonstrate skill, humility, and teamwork, then regroup quickly. **In simple terms:** Show skill, humility, then regroup. Key Takeaway Play with class and regroup. Themes teamwork humility performance Mood determined proud Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - football practice - team meetings - post‑game reviews Key Concepts sportsmanship leadership cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance confidence with humility? - What rituals help your team reset? A Different Perspective May overlook individual needs for team image. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaching/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes in a huddle I don't say anything, the guys will run the huddle. But I try to be an encourager in huddles, especially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/sometimes-in-a-huddle-i-don-t-say-anything-the-guys-will-run-the/) [Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/) > [I know the Virginia players are smart because you need a 1500 SAT to get in. I have to drop bread crumbs to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-raveling/i-know-the-virginia-players-are-smart-because-you-need-a-1500-sat-to/) [George Raveling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-raveling/) > [This whole huddle thing really pisses me off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/this-whole-huddle-thing-really-pisses-me-off/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [You must keep your composure. Take charge of the huddle. Be a leader. And silence, the crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/you-must-keep-your-composure-take-charge-of-the-huddle-be-a-leader/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [I love the no-huddle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-flacco/i-love-the-no-huddle/) [Joe Flacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-flacco/) > [That's the cool thing about the NFL is the huddle. For me, that's one of my favorite parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-jones/that-s-the-cool-thing-about-the-nfl-is-the-huddle-for-me-that-s-one/) [Mac Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-jones/) > [“As Orion took a step closer, they wrapped their arms around each other in a miserable huddle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/as-orion-took-a-step-closer-they-wrapped-their-arms-around-each-other/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“The other day I went to the Huddle House. I wasn’t hungry, I just wanted to call some plays.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-other-day-i-went-to-the-huddle-house-i-wasn-t-hungry-i-just/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [In your hurry-up or no-huddle, you might just say a word, and then everyone's understanding, 'It's this play.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-payton/in-your-hurry-up-or-no-huddle-you-might-just-say-a-word-and-then/) [Sean Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-payton/) > [I do say that Huddle House is superior to Waffle House. It's where I would go with my grandpa when I spent the night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-cain/i-do-say-that-huddle-house-is-superior-to-waffle-house-it-s-where-i/) [Ethel Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-cain/) > [I'm to a point now where you want to play for your fans and all that, but I'm playing for the guys in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarvaris-jackson/i-m-to-a-point-now-where-you-want-to-play-for-your-fans-and-all-that/) [Tarvaris Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarvaris-jackson/) > [If you're running no-huddle and you're being successful, your adrenaline is going to keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordy-nelson/if-you-re-running-no-huddle-and-you-re-being-successful-your/) [Jordy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordy-nelson/) > [I feel like, if the guys can look at me in the huddle and see a calm and collected face, that they're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-flynn/i-feel-like-if-the-guys-can-look-at-me-in-the-huddle-and-see-a-calm/) [Matt Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-flynn/) > [“Yeah, I was thinking about taking one of those showers where you huddle in the corner fully clothed and cry," Archer offered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/yeah-i-was-thinking-about-taking-one-of-those-showers-where-you/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [The other day I went to the Huddle House. I wasnt hungry, I just wanted to call some plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-other-day-i-went-to-the-huddle-house-i-wasnt-hungry-i-just-wanted/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More by Bear Bryant > [Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/little-things-make-the-difference-everyone-is-well-prepared-in-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/set-goals-high-goals-for-you-and-your-organization-when-your/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I hope to get out before they start football next year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-hope-to-get-out-before-they-start-football-next-year/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I'm no innovator. If anything I'm a stealer, or borrower. I've stolen or borrowed from more people than you can shake a stick at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-m-no-innovator-if-anything-i-m-a-stealer-or-borrower-i-ve-stolen-or/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-awfully-important-to-win-with-humility-it-s-also-important-to/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I'm no genius, but I'm a damn good football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-m-no-genius-but-i-m-a-damn-good-football-coach/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I didn't have a thing to do with picking a coach, and didn't want to. But I didn't think they'd pick one I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-didn-t-have-a-thing-to-do-with-picking-a-coach-and-didn-t-want-to/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The first time you quit, it's hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don't even have to think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-first-time-you-quit-it-s-hard-the-second-time-it-gets-easier-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [If you want to coach you have three rules to follow to win. One, surround yourself with people who can't live without football. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-want-to-coach-you-have-three-rules-to-follow-to-win-one/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Don't give up. Reach down inside of you and you'll find something left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/don-t-give-up-reach-down-inside-of-you-and-you-ll-find-something-left/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The fun never goes out, but it changes with the years, with winning and losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-fun-never-goes-out-but-it-changes-with-the-years-with-winning-and/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I don't have any ideas; my coaches have them. I just pass the ideas on and referee the arguments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-don-t-have-any-ideas-my-coaches-have-them-i-just-pass-the-ideas-on/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/offense-sells-tickets-but-defense-wins-championships/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Losing doesn't make me want to quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/losing-doesn-t-make-me-want-to-quit-it-makes-me-want-to-fight-that/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [First there are those who are winners, and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/first-there-are-those-who-are-winners-and-know-they-are-winners-then/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) [Explore all 130 Bear Bryant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bear Bryant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-knock-em-down-pat-on-the-back/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-knock-em-down-pat-on-the-back/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a3/bear-bryant-3459_basketball_i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-k_1981827.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.” — Bear Bryant", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bear Bryant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I always want my players to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-knock-em-down-pat-on-the-back/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-always-want-my-players-to-show-class-knock-em-down-pat-on-the-back/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```