--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was really scared when I went to Oregon…" description: "\"I was really scared when I went to Oregon State. I wasn't sure I could play at the college level.\" — Gary Payton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/550/gary-payton-4951_college_i-was-really-scared-when-i-went-to-orego_1758804.png" --- # I was really scared when I went to Oregon State. I wasn't… ![“I was really scared when I went to Oregon State. I wasn't sure I could play at the college level.” quote by Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/550/gary-payton-4951_college_i-was-really-scared-when-i-went-to-orego_1758804.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/550/gary-payton-4951_college_i-was-really-scared-when-i-went-to-orego_1758804.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/550/gary-payton-4951_college_i-was-really-scared-when-i-went-to-orego_1758804.png) > “I was really scared when I went to Oregon State. I wasn't sure I could play at the college level.” [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) ## 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 expresses anxiety about competing at a higher level and doubting their abilities. **In simple terms:** Fear of not being good enough in college sports. Key Takeaway Believe in your preparation and seek support. Themes confidence self‑doubt growth challenge Mood anxious determined reflective Type motivational personal advice When to use this quote - college athletics - team integration - skill development Key Concepts sports psychology performance anxiety adaptation Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to improve? - How can mentors help? A Different Perspective Self‑confidence alone may not overcome skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I've loved my days at Oregon State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-ve-loved-my-days-at-oregon-state/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [“I hear a phone ringing through the thick fuzzy air. It's Thunders, asking me to join the Heartbreakers. He says to come over to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viv-albertine/i-hear-a-phone-ringing-through-the-thick-fuzzy-air-it-s-thunders/) [Viv Albertine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viv-albertine/) > [I was scared when I went to Conde Nast. I had heard horror stories about how they used you up and then spit you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/i-was-scared-when-i-went-to-conde-nast-i-had-heard-horror-stories/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I weighed the pros and cons of both, and college outweighed the pro ranks at the time and I'm definitely glad I made the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacoby-ellsbury/i-weighed-the-pros-and-cons-of-both-and-college-outweighed-the-pro/) [Jacoby Ellsbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacoby-ellsbury/) > [Oregon is the only state in the union that facilitates suicide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-gallagher/oregon-is-the-only-state-in-the-union-that-facilitates-suicide/) [Maggie Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-gallagher/) > [A lot of guys that were trailblazers, if we were to go back to the actual time, were just really scared and had no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roddy-piper/a-lot-of-guys-that-were-trailblazers-if-we-were-to-go-back-to-the/) [Roddy Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roddy-piper/) > [I was really scared of the devil growing up: I was convinced I was going to be possessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perfume-genius/i-was-really-scared-of-the-devil-growing-up-i-was-convinced-i-was/) [Perfume Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perfume-genius/) > [I'm not really scared of getting work. I gave up worrying about that a long time ago because there's no point. I'm very much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-greene/i-m-not-really-scared-of-getting-work-i-gave-up-worrying-about-that-a/) [Sarah Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-greene/) > [I'm really scared of flying. Like, really, really, really scared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-smith/i-m-really-scared-of-flying-like-really-really-really-scared/) [Sam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-smith/) > [It was right after 9/11 and I decided to walk around the grounds of the Pentagon, because I had never been there. Out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/it-was-right-after-9-11-and-i-decided-to-walk-around-the-grounds-of/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [My plan always was to play college football, hope to get a few snaps in and then go on to medical school. As I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cousins/my-plan-always-was-to-play-college-football-hope-to-get-a-few-snaps/) [Kirk Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cousins/) > [Well, if I hadn't have been an actor I would have gone on to play college sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manganiello/well-if-i-hadn-t-have-been-an-actor-i-would-have-gone-on-to-play/) [Joe Manganiello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manganiello/) > [I was supposed to be too short to play college volleyball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-altice/i-was-supposed-to-be-too-short-to-play-college-volleyball/) [Summer Altice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-altice/) > [When I first got to college, in my mind, I was going to end up playing professional football. When I tell people this story,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovan-adepo/when-i-first-got-to-college-in-my-mind-i-was-going-to-end-up-playing/) [Jovan Adepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovan-adepo/) ## More by Gary Payton > [Guys like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, they'll take bad criticism in a good way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/guys-like-kobe-bryant-lebron-james-kevin-garnett-they-ll-take-bad/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [If he's averaging 25 points and I can contain him to 17, then I've won the battle. If he averages 12 assists and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/if-he-s-averaging-25-points-and-i-can-contain-him-to-17-then-i-ve-won/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I did a lot of things I regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-did-a-lot-of-things-i-regret/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I'm not going to sit here and dwell on whether or not I am going to the Hall of Fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-m-not-going-to-sit-here-and-dwell-on-whether-or-not-i-am-going-to/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [It is much easier to be the hunter than the hunted. When you are the one not expected to do anything, you play better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/it-is-much-easier-to-be-the-hunter-than-the-hunted-when-you-are-the/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I am going to go on with my life, and if they call me and say 'Yo, you are going to be in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-am-going-to-go-on-with-my-life-and-if-they-call-me-and-say-yo-you/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [Patrick Beverley is one of my favorites. What he does is he brings a lot of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/patrick-beverley-is-one-of-my-favorites-what-he-does-is-he-brings-a/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [Because of how I am on the court, people think I'm wild and crazy. But really, I'm a kick-back guy, so Seattle suits me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/because-of-how-i-am-on-the-court-people-think-i-m-wild-and-crazy-but/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [Coming from Oakland, Calif., I never thought I'd be a Hall of Famer. I wasn't thinking about basketball like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/coming-from-oakland-calif-i-never-thought-i-d-be-a-hall-of-famer-i/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [If Seattle could put my jersey on top of the Space Needle, they would.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/if-seattle-could-put-my-jersey-on-top-of-the-space-needle-they-would/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I don't give a damn about MVP.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-don-t-give-a-damn-about-mvp/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [If you see yourself in the paper every day and people keep talking about you, you will have a little breakdown in yourself, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/if-you-see-yourself-in-the-paper-every-day-and-people-keep-talking/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [You don't have to like me, but I'm going to tell you the truth. If you don't like what I'm saying, then go out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/you-don-t-have-to-like-me-but-i-m-going-to-tell-you-the-truth-if-you/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I would go after any rookie. Any rookie with a lot of hype. I used to do it to Jason Kidd. I would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-would-go-after-any-rookie-any-rookie-with-a-lot-of-hype-i-used-to/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) > [I was guarding the best player and getting 25 and having eight assists, and three-four steals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-payton/i-was-guarding-the-best-player-and-getting-25-and-having-eight/) [Gary Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) [Explore all 103 Gary Payton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-payton/) ## More College quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. 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They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Some people, you know, should just go to college and do what they do and have a great job and not worry about trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/some-people-you-know-should-just-go-to-college-and-do-what-they-do/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [Children should finish school and even go to college if they can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fuller/children-should-finish-school-and-even-go-to-college-if-they-can/) [Robert Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fuller/) > [I was totally sober in college and really, really focused. I just took the time when other people might be partying and just made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-flay/i-was-totally-sober-in-college-and-really-really-focused-i-just-took/) [K. Flay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-flay/) > [In college we didn't pass block the way they do in the pros - they played the I-formation at Wisconsin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-webster/in-college-we-didn-t-pass-block-the-way-they-do-in-the-pros-they/) [Mike Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-webster/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [Doing away with separate black colleges meets resistance from alumni and other blacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-baker-motley/doing-away-with-separate-black-colleges-meets-resistance-from-alumni/) [Constance Baker Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-baker-motley/) > [My son going to college is a big milestone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gore/my-son-going-to-college-is-a-big-milestone/) [Frank Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gore/) > [The reason I got into acting was not to explore myself. I was a reader, I didn't care about acting. I got into it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/the-reason-i-got-into-acting-was-not-to-explore-myself-i-was-a-reader/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) [Browse all 7,391 College quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was really scared when I went to Oregon State. 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