--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we're in a quarterback competition…" description: "\"If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you as a person. There's a big difference.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg" --- # If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against… ![“If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you as a person. There's a big difference.” quote by Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg) > “If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you as a person. There's a big difference.” [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker distinguishes between competing on a role versus competing with a person, emphasizing that role‑based rivalry is impersonal. **In simple terms:** Competing as a quarterback is about the position, not the person. Key Takeaway Focus on the task, not personal feelings. Themes competition role impersonality sportsmanship Mood determined neutral Type motivational practical When to use this quote - team sports - business negotiations - project leadership - gaming tournaments Key Concepts identity role separation professionalism Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep personal bias out of role competition? - Can role focus improve teamwork? A Different Perspective Personal dynamics can still affect performance despite role focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) ## Related quotes > [Playing the quarterback position, there are so many things you need to master that improvement ends up taking place on graduated levels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/playing-the-quarterback-position-there-are-so-many-things-you-need-to/) [Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/) > [You always take mental reps and prepare that way, but this is about physical preparation as well, more than just the mental side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geno-smith/you-always-take-mental-reps-and-prepare-that-way-but-this-is-about/) [Geno Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geno-smith/) > [I have been playing quarterback my whole entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-hurts/i-have-been-playing-quarterback-my-whole-entire-life/) [Jalen Hurts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-hurts/) > [It's hard to be a leader right away, but playing quarterback, you have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/it-s-hard-to-be-a-leader-right-away-but-playing-quarterback-you-have/) [Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/) > [If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a quarterback who thinks playing quarterback is just about passing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-parcells/if-there-s-one-thing-i-can-t-stand-it-s-a-quarterback-who-thinks/) [Bill Parcells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-parcells/) > [Playing quarterback ... it's no joke ... The difference here with Johnny Manziel, there's a lot of style and very little substance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boomer-esiason/playing-quarterback-it-s-no-joke-the-difference-here-with-johnny/) [Boomer Esiason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boomer-esiason/) > [The team aspect of football and just playing quarterback, having the ball in your hands, having to make the plays, that was definitely something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mahomes/the-team-aspect-of-football-and-just-playing-quarterback-having-the/) [Patrick Mahomes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mahomes/) > [Playing quarterback you have to have quick reactions. You've got to be able to know pretty much everything that's going on on the field,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-knox/playing-quarterback-you-have-to-have-quick-reactions-you-ve-got-to-be/) [Kevin Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-knox/) > [One of the reasons I loved playing quarterback was that I got to call the plays. The cancer put me in a position where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/len-dawson/one-of-the-reasons-i-loved-playing-quarterback-was-that-i-got-to-call/) [Len Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/len-dawson/) > [I guess that's one of the things about playing quarterback. The quarterback gets most of the recognition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-palmer/i-guess-that-s-one-of-the-things-about-playing-quarterback-the/) [Carson Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-palmer/) > [Reps are huge things when you're playing quarterback, seeing the defense, and you need to play the game to get better at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/reps-are-huge-things-when-you-re-playing-quarterback-seeing-the/) [Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/) > [I've been playing quarterback for a long time, and there's a ton of expectations no matter where you are and how you got there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-palmer/i-ve-been-playing-quarterback-for-a-long-time-and-there-s-a-ton-of/) [Carson Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-palmer/) > [Playing quarterback is hard enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hogan/playing-quarterback-is-hard-enough/) [Chris Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hogan/) > [You're always supposed to have sympathy for the person you're playing. You should be the one person who does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hollander/you-re-always-supposed-to-have-sympathy-for-the-person-you-re-playing/) [Tom Hollander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hollander/) > [Playing those one-dimensional characters is actually really difficult because you're not dealing with somebody you would ever really know. I don't think anybody here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-faris/playing-those-one-dimensional-characters-is-actually-really-difficult/) [Anna Faris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-faris/) ## More by Gardner Minshew > [I've always grown different types of facial hair like goofy type deals, but you know it really took off at Washington State when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-ve-always-grown-different-types-of-facial-hair-like-goofy-type/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I've been fortunate to have a lot of great people around me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-ve-been-fortunate-to-have-a-lot-of-great-people-around-me/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [Having to learn how to blend into a new locker room, going to four different new ones, that's a skill I feel like I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/having-to-learn-how-to-blend-into-a-new-locker-room-going-to-four/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [When I look at the role models I've had in my life, they've all been coaches. Of course my dad was my first coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/when-i-look-at-the-role-models-i-ve-had-in-my-life-they-ve-all-been/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [Until you actually do it, there's a part of it you have to prove it to yourself. You always say, 'I know I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/until-you-actually-do-it-there-s-a-part-of-it-you-have-to-prove-it-to/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I just always been if I could play, I could play. That's kind of how I was brought up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-just-always-been-if-i-could-play-i-could-play-that-s-kind-of-how-i/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I'm really grateful for my time in Jacksonville. Those fans, that community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-m-really-grateful-for-my-time-in-jacksonville-those-fans-that/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I think being off the field and not being able to play just really ignites that fire in you, makes you realize how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-think-being-off-the-field-and-not-being-able-to-play-just-really/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I think any time you go into anything thinking that losing or second-best is an option, most of the time that's what you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-think-any-time-you-go-into-anything-thinking-that-losing-or-second/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I'm a ramblin' man, a little bit in my soul, but, man, love to settle down and find somewhere to call home, but until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-m-a-ramblin-man-a-little-bit-in-my-soul-but-man-love-to-settle-down/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [The thing about Movember is that the organization does address something big in my generation and that is mental health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/the-thing-about-movember-is-that-the-organization-does-address/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [No, never gone cow tipping. Dude, so there was one time me and a couple of my cousins were gonna go. Like, we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/no-never-gone-cow-tipping-dude-so-there-was-one-time-me-and-a-couple/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [I can't control what team I play for, I control how I prepare, how I work, how I interact with the guys around me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/i-can-t-control-what-team-i-play-for-i-control-how-i-prepare-how-i/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [It's important to have balance in life, and you can do your best at football but not let it take over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/it-s-important-to-have-balance-in-life-and-you-can-do-your-best-at/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) > [That's why I wear short shorts. Them legs, bro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/that-s-why-i-wear-short-shorts-them-legs-bro/) [Gardner Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) [Explore all 70 Gardner Minshew quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [My parents are divorced, and seeing that was really painful for me. Really painful for me. But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I always want to do a big finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-always-want-to-do-a-big-finale/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [I think a big part of success in football is mental, not physical. How you are inside your head matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iker-casillas/i-think-a-big-part-of-success-in-football-is-mental-not-physical-how/) [Iker Casillas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iker-casillas/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? That's a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/making-sure-that-people-have-access-to-preventive-medicine-for-the/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [What I know about Ali Krieger is no moment is ever going to be too big for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-ellis/what-i-know-about-ali-krieger-is-no-moment-is-ever-going-to-be-too/) [Jill Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-ellis/) Browse all 12,477 Big quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you as a person. There's a big difference.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gardner Minshew" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i-m-playing-against-you-as-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i-m-playing-against-you-as-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/gardner-minshew-9815_big_if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i_162429.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we're in a quarterback competition, I'm playing against you as a quarterback. I'm not playing against you…” — Gardner Minshew", "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": "Gardner Minshew", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gardner-minshew/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If we're in a quarterback competition,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i-m-playing-against-you-as-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gardner-minshew/if-we-re-in-a-quarterback-competition-i-m-playing-against-you-as-a/#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 } } ] } ```