--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't want to be a backup. I want to be…" description: "\"I don't want to be a backup. I want to be a starter.\" — Davis Webb" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ad/davis-webb-5883_backup_i-don-t-want-to-be-a-backup-i-want-to-be_1887914.jpg" --- # I don't want to be a backup. I want to be a starter. ![“I don't want to be a backup. I want to be a starter.” quote by Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ad/davis-webb-5883_backup_i-don-t-want-to-be-a-backup-i-want-to-be_1887914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ad/davis-webb-5883_backup_i-don-t-want-to-be-a-backup-i-want-to-be_1887914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ad/davis-webb-5883_backup_i-don-t-want-to-be-a-backup-i-want-to-be_1887914.jpg) > “I don't want to be a backup. I want to be a starter.” [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desire to be primary rather than secondary, seeking leading roles and full responsibility. **In simple terms:** Want to be a starter, not a backup. Key Takeaway Seek primary opportunities. Themes ambition leadership self‑worth Mood determined assertive Type motivational career When to use this quote - job interview - team projects - leadership roles - promotion discussions Key Concepts role hierarchy identity career focus Questions to Reflect On - What can you do to become a starter in your current role? - How do you handle being a backup? A Different Perspective May be unrealistic if circumstances limit starter positions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [I obviously want to be a starter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-obviously-want-to-be-a-starter/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Obviously I want to be a starter and to win things with Real Madrid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/obviously-i-want-to-be-a-starter-and-to-win-things-with-real-madrid/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [I want to be a starter in this league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/i-want-to-be-a-starter-in-this-league/) [Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/) > [I said before, I want to be a starter, I want to be an all-star - not a borderline all-star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-siakam/i-said-before-i-want-to-be-a-starter-i-want-to-be-an-all-star-not-a/) [Pascal Siakam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-siakam/) > [You play the game to compete and you want to be a starter, but at the same time you don't want to rush yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-bridgewater/you-play-the-game-to-compete-and-you-want-to-be-a-starter-but-at-the/) [Teddy Bridgewater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-bridgewater/) > [My preparation doesn't change from being a backup to a starter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cassel/my-preparation-doesn-t-change-from-being-a-backup-to-a-starter/) [Matt Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cassel/) > [I want to be a starter again, I would really enjoy playing for the Phillies again, but my first consideration in making my decision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chan-ho-park/i-want-to-be-a-starter-again-i-would-really-enjoy-playing-for-the/) [Chan Ho Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chan-ho-park/) > [Since I was a D-team backup quarterback in seventh grade, I've loved the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/since-i-was-a-d-team-backup-quarterback-in-seventh-grade-i-ve-loved/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I always prepare like I'm a starter. Three-down back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-henry/i-always-prepare-like-i-m-a-starter-three-down-back/) [Derrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-henry/) > [I never grunted, and never overthrew a pitch when I was a starter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-never-grunted-and-never-overthrew-a-pitch-when-i-was-a-starter/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [“Wonder is the starter kit for innovation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-lemmey/wonder-is-the-starter-kit-for-innovation/) Tara Lemmey > [The situation at Buffalo was a rough situation, and I appreciate the opportunity, but going back to Seattle was a better situation, even though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarvaris-jackson/the-situation-at-buffalo-was-a-rough-situation-and-i-appreciate-the/) [Tarvaris Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarvaris-jackson/) > [I'm going to prepare like I'm the starter. That's me in the weight room, me in the meeting rooms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-haskins/i-m-going-to-prepare-like-i-m-the-starter-that-s-me-in-the-weight/) [Dwayne Haskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-haskins/) > [I am not a finisher, I am a starter. And I am always thinking, what is the next project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-eisenman/i-am-not-a-finisher-i-am-a-starter-and-i-am-always-thinking-what-is/) [Peter Eisenman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-eisenman/) > [To me, there's no honor to say, 'I'm going to start.' As long as you're getting minutes, you're closing games, that shows more of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/to-me-there-s-no-honor-to-say-i-m-going-to-start-as-long-as-you-re/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) ## More by Davis Webb > [I know Odell Beckham is the best ballplayer I've ever seen in my life, and Brandon Marshall is a Hall of Fame receiver and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-know-odell-beckham-is-the-best-ballplayer-i-ve-ever-seen-in-my-life/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I'm not the first quarterback to have an off game. I won't be the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-m-not-the-first-quarterback-to-have-an-off-game-i-won-t-be-the-last/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I'm OK with making mistakes as long as I correct them and don't do it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-m-ok-with-making-mistakes-as-long-as-i-correct-them-and-don-t-do-it/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I mean, if you told me I would be one of the quarterbacks of the New York Giants when I was 6 years old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-mean-if-you-told-me-i-would-be-one-of-the-quarterbacks-of-the-new/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I have plenty of opportunities to get better and continue to grow as a quarterback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-have-plenty-of-opportunities-to-get-better-and-continue-to-grow-as/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I'm continuing to grow in this league. I think I'm getting better each and every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-m-continuing-to-grow-in-this-league-i-think-i-m-getting-better-each/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I get to work out with Eli Manning and NFL guys daily, couldn't ask for anything more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-get-to-work-out-with-eli-manning-and-nfl-guys-daily-couldn-t-ask/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I try to come across as a guy that wants just to enjoy success with teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-try-to-come-across-as-a-guy-that-wants-just-to-enjoy-success-with/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [Since I was a D-team backup quarterback in seventh grade, I've loved the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/since-i-was-a-d-team-backup-quarterback-in-seventh-grade-i-ve-loved/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I don't try to be average. That's boring. That's not what life's about. I try to be great in everything I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-don-t-try-to-be-average-that-s-boring-that-s-not-what-life-s-about/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [Every time I'm in a private interview with teams, I have an opportunity to get on the board, and every team's been impressed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/every-time-i-m-in-a-private-interview-with-teams-i-have-an/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I think I'm just an OK quarterback. But I feel like I can throw the ball pretty well, and I feel like my work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-think-i-m-just-an-ok-quarterback-but-i-feel-like-i-can-throw-the/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [My opportunity, when it ever does come, I want to be ready. But my job, my role, and that's not going to change, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/my-opportunity-when-it-ever-does-come-i-want-to-be-ready-but-my-job/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I've always gone through adversity in this game, and I've always overcome it. My middle school coach told me that I was probably a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-ve-always-gone-through-adversity-in-this-game-and-i-ve-always/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [I don't look ahead. I just worry about today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/i-don-t-look-ahead-i-just-worry-about-today/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) [Explore all 100 Davis Webb quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) ## More Backup quotes > [If God is not with us, we do not want to continue. If the Sermon on the Mount is simply impractical, our mission work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-baker/if-god-is-not-with-us-we-do-not-want-to-continue-if-the-sermon-on-the/) [Heidi Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-baker/) > [I thought I would make it (to the NBA). I believed that I would make it. But I had a Plan B. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-johnson/i-thought-i-would-make-it-to-the-nba-i-believed-that-i-would-make-it/) [Avery Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-johnson/) > [When we have all data online it will be great for humanity. It is a prerequisite to solving many problems that humankind faces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cailliau/when-we-have-all-data-online-it-will-be-great-for-humanity-it-is-a/) [Robert Cailliau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cailliau/) > [But I love singing, and I've been singing backup for friends' bands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alia-shawkat/but-i-love-singing-and-i-ve-been-singing-backup-for-friends-bands/) [Alia Shawkat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alia-shawkat/) > [Don't let uncertainty talk you into pursuing a backup plan instead of your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/don-t-let-uncertainty-talk-you-into-pursuing-a-backup-plan-instead-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I was in 'Seussical,' and I was in a cage onstage in a purple yarn suit singing backup, and I was like: 'I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-nicholaw/i-was-in-seussical-and-i-was-in-a-cage-onstage-in-a-purple-yarn-suit/) [Casey Nicholaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-nicholaw/) > [I like to go full bore into something. If you have a backup plan, then you've already admitted defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cavill/i-like-to-go-full-bore-into-something-if-you-have-a-backup-plan-then/) [Henry Cavill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cavill/) > [Life is about falling Living is about getting backup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-hillesland/life-is-about-falling-living-is-about-getting-backup/) Kari Hillesland > [My family was always very supportive. Whether you're an actor or not, everybody hears the horror stories of people going to L.A. and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/my-family-was-always-very-supportive-whether-you-re-an-actor-or-not/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [“Always have a backup plan to the backup plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/always-have-a-backup-plan-to-the-backup-plan/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [What did Isabelle want?" Jace asked. Alec hesitated. "Isabelle says the Queen of the Seelie Court has requested an audience with us." "Sure," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-did-isabelle-want-jace-asked-alec-hesitated-isabelle-says-the/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When I was at the 'Philadelphia Inquirer,' I was promoted nine times in my first 13 years. I ultimately went from general assignment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/when-i-was-at-the-philadelphia-inquirer-i-was-promoted-nine-times-in/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [You might be a redneck if the dog catcher calls for a backup unit when he visits your house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-the-dog-catcher-calls-for-a-backup-unit/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [As a kid, Terry Bradshaw didn't amaze me. My hero was Steelers backup Terry Hanratty, who nabbed two Super Bowl rings while completing three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rodrick/as-a-kid-terry-bradshaw-didn-t-amaze-me-my-hero-was-steelers-backup/) [Stephen Rodrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rodrick/) > [A well-defined backup plan is sabotage waiting to happen. Why push through the dip, why take the risk, why blow it all when there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/a-well-defined-backup-plan-is-sabotage-waiting-to-happen-why-push/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) Browse all 161 Backup quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't want to be a backup. 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