--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even when I was growing up as a young…" description: "\"Even when I was growing up as a young boy, when I was playing schoolboy football, there were other guys who were as good as I was, maybe some even bett..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a4/chris-coleman-6557_attitude_even-when-i-was-growing-up-as-a-young-bo_928026.jpg" --- # Even when I was growing up as a young boy, when I was… ![“Even when I was growing up as a young boy, when I was playing schoolboy football, there were other guys who were as good as I was, maybe some even better technically. But I was prepared to stick to what was going to make me become a professional football player when I left school, and that was a…” quote by Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a4/chris-coleman-6557_attitude_even-when-i-was-growing-up-as-a-young-bo_928026.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a4/chris-coleman-6557_attitude_even-when-i-was-growing-up-as-a-young-bo_928026.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a4/chris-coleman-6557_attitude_even-when-i-was-growing-up-as-a-young-bo_928026.jpg) > “Even when I was growing up as a young boy, when I was playing schoolboy football, there were other guys who were as good as I was, maybe some even better technically. But I was prepared to stick to what was going to make me become a professional football player when I left school, and that was a lot of sacrifice and because my attitude was right.” [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success requires sacrifice and the right mindset, not just talent. **In simple terms:** Hard work beats talent when attitude is right. Key Takeaway Prioritize discipline over natural skill. Themes discipline mindset career sacrifice attitude Mood determined reflective Type motivational advice When to use this quote - youth sports - career decisions - training regimes - team leadership Key Concepts growth mindset deliberate practice long‑term planning Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are you willing to make for your goals? - How does attitude shape long‑term success? A Different Perspective Talent alone may not secure professional status without commitment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Ball player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball-player/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football Guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-guys-779131/) [Football player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-player/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Playing Schoolboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-schoolboy-1489247/) [Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Sacrifice Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice-attitude-1489248/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Schoolboy Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schoolboy-football-1489246/) [Young boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-boy/) ## Related quotes > [The accounting of the sacrifice is, more than anything else, the attitude toward war memorials in our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-st-florian/the-accounting-of-the-sacrifice-is-more-than-anything-else-the/) [Friedrich St. Florian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-st-florian/) > [The thing I really look for in this business is there are guys who are into football and there are guys who are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-parcells/the-thing-i-really-look-for-in-this-business-is-there-are-guys-who/) [Bill Parcells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-parcells/) > [Is this college football's version of Arena Football? These guys need to grow some hair on their peaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-danielson/is-this-college-football-s-version-of-arena-football-these-guys-need/) [Gary Danielson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-danielson/) > [I ain't never had much fun. I ain't never been two inches away from a football. Here guys go fishing on the day of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-ain-t-never-had-much-fun-i-ain-t-never-been-two-inches-away-from-a/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I think there are a lot of good people, a lot of good football guys in the NFL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-parcells/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-good-people-a-lot-of-good-football-guys-in/) [Bill Parcells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-parcells/) > [We have three kinds of guys on our team. We have guys that get it; they play good; they understand how to play winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/we-have-three-kinds-of-guys-on-our-team-we-have-guys-that-get-it-they/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [It's football. Guys get hurt all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/it-s-football-guys-get-hurt-all-the-time/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) > [We're more pub and football guys rather than walking the red carpets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-donnelly/we-re-more-pub-and-football-guys-rather-than-walking-the-red-carpets/) [Declan Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-donnelly/) > [I like the guys that like football. And the guys that like football, they all like me back. And the ones that don't like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/i-like-the-guys-that-like-football-and-the-guys-that-like-football/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [To me, having 500 rolls of fabric around is the most calming thing in the world. I think it's what football is to some guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-mccarthy/to-me-having-500-rolls-of-fabric-around-is-the-most-calming-thing-in/) [Melissa McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-mccarthy/) > [I was 10 years old playing football against guys who were 12 and 13 years old, and it doesn't sound that big, but back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/i-was-10-years-old-playing-football-against-guys-who-were-12-and-13/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [I took pride in knowing, 'Hey, my numbers may be down, but football guys know I'm playing at a high level.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-witten/i-took-pride-in-knowing-hey-my-numbers-may-be-down-but-football-guys/) [Jason Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-witten/) > [Since I was five or six years old, I just wanted to be a professional football player. I wanted to play against the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/since-i-was-five-or-six-years-old-i-just-wanted-to-be-a-professional/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [If you want to become a professional football player at any level, when you're growing up, you have to make sacrifices, and it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/if-you-want-to-become-a-professional-football-player-at-any-level/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I am, beneath everything else, a fan. I was fixed in this mode as a young boy and am awed by people who take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-am-beneath-everything-else-a-fan-i-was-fixed-in-this-mode-as-a/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) ## More by Chris Coleman > [I won't tolerate players not giving everything they've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-won-t-tolerate-players-not-giving-everything-they-ve-got/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Football is whatever you want to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/football-is-whatever-you-want-to-play/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Champions League football in the Premier League - you're talking about the top, big, massive clubs, and it's not something I think I'd get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/champions-league-football-in-the-premier-league-you-re-talking-about/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I don't like talking past the next game. It's never served me right in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-don-t-like-talking-past-the-next-game-it-s-never-served-me-right-in/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I know Roy Hodgson very well; he rarely changes tactically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-know-roy-hodgson-very-well-he-rarely-changes-tactically/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Tournament football is unlike anything else. The campaign can be great, but a finals is a different challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/tournament-football-is-unlike-anything-else-the-campaign-can-be-great/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [“Life is full of surprises and exciting moments and sometimes we simply overlook them. We are so busy doing things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/life-is-full-of-surprises-and-exciting-moments-and-sometimes-we/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I can remember when I was a 17-year-old at Swansea and Terry Yorath and Tommy Hutchison were in charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-can-remember-when-i-was-a-17-year-old-at-swansea-and-terry-yorath/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [You can only ask someone of their best. That's it. If you lose, and you've given your best, that's how it goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/you-can-only-ask-someone-of-their-best-that-s-it-if-you-lose-and-you/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [At international level, I've only ever wanted Wales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/at-international-level-i-ve-only-ever-wanted-wales/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I thought the first Welsh team I played in was the golden generation, with Neville Southall, Mark Hughes, Ian Rush, Dean Saunders, Gary Speed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-thought-the-first-welsh-team-i-played-in-was-the-golden-generation/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [The biggest word in football, and it's a dirty word - no one likes to use it - is accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/the-biggest-word-in-football-and-it-s-a-dirty-word-no-one-likes-to/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Don't be afraid to have dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/don-t-be-afraid-to-have-dreams/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [I think average players are able to play well now and again, or they'll play very, very well. Good players or great players, nine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/i-think-average-players-are-able-to-play-well-now-and-again-or-they/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Alex McLeish will have had kittens - literally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/alex-mcleish-will-have-had-kittens-literally/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) [Explore all 97 Chris Coleman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Even when I was growing up as a young boy, when I was playing schoolboy football, there were other guys who were as good as I was, maybe some even better technically. 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