--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you think there is such a thing as an…" description: "\"If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game, just try losing one.\" — Gene Stallings" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png" --- # If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game… ![“If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game, just try losing one.” quote by Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png) > “If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game, just try losing one.” [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing that every competition matters; losing reveals the true value of each game. **In simple terms:** Every game matters; losing shows importance. Key Takeaway Take each contest seriously. Themes competition value humility Mood reflective motivational Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - team sports - personal challenges - career setbacks - learning experiences Key Concepts sports psychology meaning-making Questions to Reflect On - How does losing change your perspective on importance? - What can you learn from a loss? A Different Perspective Loss can be demotivating if not reframed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alabama football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alabama-football/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Try Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-losing-2378235/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Unimportant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unimportant/) [Unimportant Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unimportant-game-5875825/) ## Related quotes > [“If you think training is hard...try losing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davee-jones/if-you-think-training-is-hard-try-losing/) [Davee Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davee-jones/) > [The expectation level is high at the University of Alabama and it should be. What's wrong with people expecting excellence?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/the-expectation-level-is-high-at-the-university-of-alabama-and-it/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [Think training's hard? Try losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nike/think-training-s-hard-try-losing/) [Nike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nike/) > [Yeah getting cheated on is terrible...try losing a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yeah-getting-cheated-on-is-terrible-try-losing-a-parent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Think work is hard? Try losing...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/think-work-is-hard-try-losing/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Think practice is hard? try losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skylar/think-practice-is-hard-try-losing/) [Skylar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skylar/) > [That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/that-s-all-it-takes-to-get-people-to-win-football-games-for-you/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [And believe me, to have been in the city of Tuscaloosa in October when you were young and full of Early Times and had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/and-believe-me-to-have-been-in-the-city-of-tuscaloosa-in-october-when/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, Tide, Roll!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-want-to-walk-the-heavenly-streets-of-gold-you-gotta-know-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-price-of-victory-is-high-but-so-are-the-rewards/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Be aware of "yes" men. Generally, they are losers. Surround yourself with winners. Never forget - people win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/be-aware-of-yes-men-generally-they-are-losers-surround-yourself-with/) [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/) > [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/) > [Alabama's a football state and you really don't get too many basketball players out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/alabama-s-a-football-state-and-you-really-don-t-get-too-many/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) > [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/) ## More by Gene Stallings > [I'm seldom right, but I'm never in doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/i-m-seldom-right-but-i-m-never-in-doubt/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [You don't have to flaunt your success, but you don't have to apologize for it, either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/you-don-t-have-to-flaunt-your-success-but-you-don-t-have-to-apologize/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [I guess that makes our biggest weakness lack of strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/i-guess-that-makes-our-biggest-weakness-lack-of-strength/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [If it seems like you can see farther than most people, it is because you're standing on shoulders of giants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/if-it-seems-like-you-can-see-farther-than-most-people-it-is-because/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [Coach (Bear) Bryant wanted to see who was tough in the spring, who he could count on in the fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/coach-bear-bryant-wanted-to-see-who-was-tough-in-the-spring-who-he/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) > [The expectation level is high at the University of Alabama and it should be. What's wrong with people expecting excellence?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/the-expectation-level-is-high-at-the-university-of-alabama-and-it/) [Gene Stallings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) [Explore all 7 Gene Stallings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/) ## More Alabama football quotes > [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/) > [Alabama's a football state and you really don't get too many basketball players out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/alabama-s-a-football-state-and-you-really-don-t-get-too-many/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Be aware of "yes" men. Generally, they are losers. Surround yourself with winners. Never forget - people win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/be-aware-of-yes-men-generally-they-are-losers-surround-yourself-with/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-price-of-victory-is-high-but-so-are-the-rewards/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, Tide, Roll!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-want-to-walk-the-heavenly-streets-of-gold-you-gotta-know-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [And believe me, to have been in the city of Tuscaloosa in October when you were young and full of Early Times and had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/and-believe-me-to-have-been-in-the-city-of-tuscaloosa-in-october-when/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/that-s-all-it-takes-to-get-people-to-win-football-games-for-you/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Alabama fans love Alabama football. Auburn fans love Auburn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-dye/alabama-fans-love-alabama-football-auburn-fans-love-auburn/) [Pat Dye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-dye/) > [Don't talk too much or too soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/don-t-talk-too-much-or-too-soon/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Winning isn't imperative, but getting tougher in the fourth quarter is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/winning-isn-t-imperative-but-getting-tougher-in-the-fourth-quarter-is/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [When you win, there's glory enough for everybody. When you lose, there's glory for none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/when-you-win-there-s-glory-enough-for-everybody-when-you-lose-there-s/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I'm known as a recruiter. Well you've got to have chicken to make chicken salad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-m-known-as-a-recruiter-well-you-ve-got-to-have-chicken-to-make/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [A tie is like kissing your sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duffy-daugherty/a-tie-is-like-kissing-your-sister/) [Duffy Daugherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duffy-daugherty/) [Browse all 36 Alabama football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alabama-football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game, just try losing one.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gene Stallings" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an-unimportant-game-just-try/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alabama football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an-unimportant-game-just-try/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/gene-stallings-52901_alabama-football_if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an_3189283.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you think there is such a thing as an unimportant game, just try losing one.” — Gene Stallings", "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": "Gene Stallings", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stallings/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you think there is such...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an-unimportant-game-just-try/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stallings/if-you-think-there-is-such-a-thing-as-an-unimportant-game-just-try/#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 } } ] } ```