--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You play to have an opportunity to win." description: "\"You play to have an opportunity to win.\" — Howie Long" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png" --- # You play to have an opportunity to win. ![“You play to have an opportunity to win.” quote by Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png) > “You play to have an opportunity to win.” [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success comes from seizing chances and giving your best effort when opportunities arise. **In simple terms:** Take advantage of chances and try hard. Key Takeaway Act when opportunities appear. Themes sports motivation opportunity effort Mood energetic inspirational Type motivational practical When to use this quote - sports competitions - job interviews - business pitches - personal projects - creative endeavors Key Concepts psychology performance career development Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify genuine opportunities? - What habits help you stay ready for chance? A Different Perspective Opportunities may be limited or unfairly distributed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) ## Related quotes > [You're a competitor, you want to win. Especially when you have a great opportunity to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denny-hamlin/you-re-a-competitor-you-want-to-win-especially-when-you-have-a-great/) [Denny Hamlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denny-hamlin/) > [This is why you play -- to get an opportunity to play in the playoffs,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/this-is-why-you-play-to-get-an-opportunity-to-play-in-the-playoffs/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [It was a play of opportunity. It's certainly something that he can do. He has the wherewithal to do that. It's a concern when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-miles/it-was-a-play-of-opportunity-it-s-certainly-something-that-he-can-do/) [Les Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-miles/) > [Just growing up, my dad always told me the most important point of the game is the extra point. A lot of people take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-berry/just-growing-up-my-dad-always-told-me-the-most-important-point-of-the/) [Eric Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-berry/) > [It doesn't matter what happened in the season or what happened the last play, there's always an opportunity to make the next play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-thielen/it-doesn-t-matter-what-happened-in-the-season-or-what-happened-the/) [Adam Thielen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-thielen/) > [When you play, you get an opportunity to hone your craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/when-you-play-you-get-an-opportunity-to-hone-your-craft/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [Every time you train, every time you play, it's an opportunity. You have to use them while you have them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-gomez/every-time-you-train-every-time-you-play-it-s-an-opportunity-you-have/) [Joe Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-gomez/) > [If you practice every play, every opportunity like a starter and like you're going to make plays come game time, that's what you fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-agholor/if-you-practice-every-play-every-opportunity-like-a-starter-and-like/) [Nelson Agholor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-agholor/) > [For everyone, the World Cup is important. It doesn't matter if you are 21, going for your first one, or 35 and going for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-van-der-sar/for-everyone-the-world-cup-is-important-it-doesn-t-matter-if-you-are/) [Edwin van der Sar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-van-der-sar/) > [I guess if you're not going to win the championship, you're better off taking the opportunity to win a Brickyard or a Daytona 500…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-stewart/i-guess-if-you-re-not-going-to-win-the-championship-you-re-better-off/) [Tony Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-stewart/) > [We have to win everything. The last time we went to South Africa, we had an opportunity to win the series, but things didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohit-sharma/we-have-to-win-everything-the-last-time-we-went-to-south-africa-we/) [Rohit Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohit-sharma/) > [I think there's more of opportunity to win games in the National League than the American League because there are more decisions to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-think-there-s-more-of-opportunity-to-win-games-in-the-national/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [You don't get the opportunity to win tournaments that often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-cantlay/you-don-t-get-the-opportunity-to-win-tournaments-that-often/) [Patrick Cantlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-cantlay/) > [“Every fall is an opportunity. You can only win, when you got nothing to lose”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-mani/every-fall-is-an-opportunity-you-can-only-win-when-you-got-nothing-to/) [A. Mani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-mani/) > [I just think in 60 minutes, everybody has had a fair opportunity to win the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/i-just-think-in-60-minutes-everybody-has-had-a-fair-opportunity-to/) [Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/) ## More by Howie Long > [I looked at Randy White... I looked at Klecko. I looked at Gino Marchetti. I looked at a lot of players. Bob Lilly. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-looked-at-randy-white-i-looked-at-klecko-i-looked-at-gino-marchetti/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [As a broadcaster, I've always taken the approach that I want to be informed. I want to understand. It's easy to mail it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/as-a-broadcaster-i-ve-always-taken-the-approach-that-i-want-to-be/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [There is no easy way to greatness in any venue. But if you work hard, good things will inevitably happen to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/there-is-no-easy-way-to-greatness-in-any-venue-but-if-you-work-hard/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [My poor wife, we stopped on the way back to the suite after our wedding reception so I could pick up a jar of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/my-poor-wife-we-stopped-on-the-way-back-to-the-suite-after-our/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [Professional athletes, like it or not, have a responsibility to the kids of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/professional-athletes-like-it-or-not-have-a-responsibility-to-the/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [My grandmother is the type of person, I'd be down playing cards in the park, and she'd take the dog and walk down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/my-grandmother-is-the-type-of-person-i-d-be-down-playing-cards-in-the/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I really enjoy my time in Montana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-really-enjoy-my-time-in-montana/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I have this dying desire to be on top. I'm paranoid about it. It's almost a sickness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-have-this-dying-desire-to-be-on-top-i-m-paranoid-about-it-it-s/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [For a while here in L.A., we had a problem with the wave. They didn't quite know when to wave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/for-a-while-here-in-l-a-we-had-a-problem-with-the-wave-they-didn-t/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I had a mental block. I didn't think I could be successful at right end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-had-a-mental-block-i-didn-t-think-i-could-be-successful-at-right-end/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I'm never one to question people's courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-m-never-one-to-question-people-s-courage/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I like John Riggins. He's one of the guys I look up to. He doesn't try to change his act to suit his profession.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-like-john-riggins-he-s-one-of-the-guys-i-look-up-to-he-doesn-t-try/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [Lack of enthusiasm in the stands tends to be less inspirational on the field. It doesn't send the chills down your spine. It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/lack-of-enthusiasm-in-the-stands-tends-to-be-less-inspirational-on/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [The Raiders hit straight up. And thats the way we expect to get hit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/the-raiders-hit-straight-up-and-thats-the-way-we-expect-to-get-hit/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [I just play hard-hitting football, but at least I look the opponent in the face before I hit him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-just-play-hard-hitting-football-but-at-least-i-look-the-opponent-in/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) [Explore all 103 Howie Long quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You play to have an opportunity to win.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Howie Long" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6dd/howie-long-5163_football_you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win-2_2559210.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You play to have an opportunity to win.” — Howie Long", "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": "Howie Long", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You play to have an opportunity...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/you-play-to-have-an-opportunity-to-win/#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 } } ] } ```