---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's been years since I've had a real…"
description: "\"It's been years since I've had a real input in the game anyway. For this game, I've just tried to keep all the other stuff away from the players and co..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png"
---

#  It's been years since I've had a real input in the game…

![“It's been years since I've had a real input in the game anyway. For this game, I've just tried to keep all the other stuff away from the players and coaches.” quote by Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png)

> “It's been years since I've had a real input in the game anyway. For this game, I've just tried to keep all the other stuff away from the players and coaches.”

[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 emphasizes minimizing external distractions for players and coaches to focus on core gameplay.

**In simple terms:** Focus on essentials, avoid unnecessary distractions.

Key Takeaway

Keep the game simple.

Themes

focus discipline teamwork

Mood

determined practical

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- coaching sessions
- team meetings
- player development

Key Concepts

sports psychology minimalism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance simplicity with necessary complexity?
- What distractions most affect performance?

A Different Perspective

May overlook necessary strategic input.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Away Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-players-1623763/) [Coaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaches/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Input](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/input/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players/) [Players Coaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players-coaches-1456674/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/)

## Related quotes

> [Deep down, your players must know you care about them. This is the most important thing. I could never get away with what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-schembechler/deep-down-your-players-must-know-you-care-about-them-this-is-the-most/)

[Bo Schembechler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-schembechler/)

> [And when you're a coach your main concern is the players and the coaches. The last concern you have is really about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herm-edwards/and-when-you-re-a-coach-your-main-concern-is-the-players-and-the/)

[Herm Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herm-edwards/)

> [As players and coaches, we all want to reach our goal. It's up to us to go out there and perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hines-ward/as-players-and-coaches-we-all-want-to-reach-our-goal-it-s-up-to-us-to/)

[Hines Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hines-ward/)

> [I think there is a difference between being critical of plays and being critical of players and coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-think-there-is-a-difference-between-being-critical-of-plays-and/)

[Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/)

> [I think there's a lot going on obviously when you deal with adversity. You want to make sure that there's no splinter in what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-slater/i-think-there-s-a-lot-going-on-obviously-when-you-deal-with-adversity/)

[Matthew Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-slater/)

> [What keeps you motivated? The challenge of putting all the elements of a team together and seeing how you do and what you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavell-edwards/what-keeps-you-motivated-the-challenge-of-putting-all-the-elements-of/)

[LaVell Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavell-edwards/)

> [I have been in this league for a long time, and if you are not motivated on a daily basis, you won't be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-flores/i-have-been-in-this-league-for-a-long-time-and-if-you-are-not/)

[Brian Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-flores/)

> [I have learned many, many things while playing at Cal, but probably the main thing that players and coaches have taught me is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/i-have-learned-many-many-things-while-playing-at-cal-but-probably-the/)

[Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/)

> [But people don't know if I can teach the game. I know I can. My experience in Oklahoma was positive. It opened my eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/but-people-don-t-know-if-i-can-teach-the-game-i-know-i-can-my/)

[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/)

> [I criticize a lot of players and coaches. But I back it up with facts. A lot of times guys get mad at me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-simms/i-criticize-a-lot-of-players-and-coaches-but-i-back-it-up-with-facts/)

[Phil Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-simms/)

> [I believe every era has its significance and the same holds true for players and coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachin-tendulkar/i-believe-every-era-has-its-significance-and-the-same-holds-true-for/)

[Sachin Tendulkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachin-tendulkar/)

> [ You look at the assistant coaches under \[Pat Riley\] that played and they have become prosperous within this game. It triples all the way… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-starks/you-look-at-the-assistant-coaches-under-pat-riley-that-played-and/)

[John Starks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-starks/)

> [Our job collectively, players and coaches, is to figure out a way to play that we can put ourselves in a position to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-redick/our-job-collectively-players-and-coaches-is-to-figure-out-a-way-to/)

[J. J. Redick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-redick/)

> [A lot of players and pundits can be talking the Scottish league down and it's not until players and coaches actually experience it they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcginn/a-lot-of-players-and-pundits-can-be-talking-the-scottish-league-down/)

[John McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcginn/)

> [The one thing you can't ever forget - the playing field is the property of the players and the coaches. It is not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-jackson/the-one-thing-you-can-t-ever-forget-the-playing-field-is-the-property/)

[Keith Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-jackson/)

## 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 Coaches quotes

> [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/)

[Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [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/)

> [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/)

[Fernando Bujones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-bujones/)

> [And when I went to Houston, they had a conditioning coach by the name of Gene Coleman. And that was the first time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-ryan/and-when-i-went-to-houston-they-had-a-conditioning-coach-by-the-name/)

[Nolan Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-ryan/)

> [I want to thank my parents and my coaches, who brought me out of Guwahati.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/i-want-to-thank-my-parents-and-my-coaches-who-brought-me-out-of/)

[Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/)

> [Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-forleo/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-not-trying-in-the-first-place/)

[Marie Forleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-forleo/)

> [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/)

[Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/)

> [As far as being a coach, it's always fascinated me. It's a greater responsibility than most people give it credit for because you're dealing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/as-far-as-being-a-coach-it-s-always-fascinated-me-it-s-a-greater/)

[Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/)

> [I learned a tremendous amount about what was important to me as a head coach in that I was not in charge. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-carroll/i-learned-a-tremendous-amount-about-what-was-important-to-me-as-a/)

[Pete Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-carroll/)

> [I've always believed that the desire must come from within, not as a result of being driven by coaches or parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-fraser/i-ve-always-believed-that-the-desire-must-come-from-within-not-as-a/)

[Dawn Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-fraser/)

> [I've grown up playing for some incredible coaches, and I don't think anybody's ever been as fortunate as I have in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-brown/i-ve-grown-up-playing-for-some-incredible-coaches-and-i-don-t-think/)

[Larry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-brown/)

> [I don't know how 'X Factor' works. I was only there as a guest judge for a day. But I watched 'The Voice' a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-don-t-know-how-x-factor-works-i-was-only-there-as-a-guest-judge-for/)

[Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/)

> [I have learned from all of my coaches, and I am sure I will learn a lot with Guardiola.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/i-have-learned-from-all-of-my-coaches-and-i-am-sure-i-will-learn-a/)

[Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/)

[Browse all 2,302 Coaches quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaches/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's been years since I've had a real input in the game anyway. For this game, I've just tried to keep all the other stuff away from the players and coaches.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Bear Bryant"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-input-in-the-game-anyway-for/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Coaches"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-input-in-the-game-anyway-for/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8d/bear-bryant-3459_coaches_it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-in_2988234.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's been years since I've had a real input in the game anyway. For this game, I've just tried to keep all…” — 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": "It's been years since I've had...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-input-in-the-game-anyway-for/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-been-years-since-i-ve-had-a-real-input-in-the-game-anyway-for/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
