---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As professional athletes, we're used to…"
description: "\"As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.\" — Jason Collins"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png"
---

#  As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next…

![“As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.” quote by Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png)

> “As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.”

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Athletes feel responsibility to mentor younger people, using their platform to inspire.

**In simple terms:** Athletes should inspire youth.

Key Takeaway

Mentor and share experiences.

Themes

leadership inspiration role models

Mood

proud motivational

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- Youth sports programs
- school talks
- community outreach

Key Concepts

Mentorship legacy generational impact

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you become a mentor in your field?
- What barriers prevent athletes from mentoring?

A Different Perspective

Not all athletes have the desire or opportunity to mentor.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Athletes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes/) [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) [Next generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-generation/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/)

## Related quotes

> [I hate politics, but I love people and I am committed to truly doing the work to serve the people and hopefully inspiring the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-crockett/i-hate-politics-but-i-love-people-and-i-am-committed-to-truly-doing/)

[Jasmine Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-crockett/)

> [We believe Skype in the Classroom will be a milestone in inspiring the next generation of social entrepreneurs and we can't wait to connect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-mycoskie/we-believe-skype-in-the-classroom-will-be-a-milestone-in-inspiring/)

[Blake Mycoskie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-mycoskie/)

> [College athletes used to get a degree in bringing your pencil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-wax/college-athletes-used-to-get-a-degree-in-bringing-your-pencil/)

[Ruby Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-wax/)

> [Supporting black professional athletes was taken seriously in my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-smith/supporting-black-professional-athletes-was-taken-seriously-in-my-home/)

[Clint Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-smith/)

> [Professional athletes have an enormous opportunity to be a source of inspiration for the younger generation, lead by example, and prove to them that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enes-kanter/professional-athletes-have-an-enormous-opportunity-to-be-a-source-of/)

[Enes Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enes-kanter/)

> [I think there are a lot of people who say they want to be professional athletes, say they want to make millions of dollars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-connaughton/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-say-they-want-to-be/)

[Pat Connaughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-connaughton/)

> [Unfortunately the world is what it is now. People don't get along for whatever reason. As professional athletes, in a way we're almost ambassadors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/unfortunately-the-world-is-what-it-is-now-people-don-t-get-along-for/)

[Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/)

> [I applaud the professional athletes using their platform to voice their opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-van-gundy/i-applaud-the-professional-athletes-using-their-platform-to-voice/)

[Stan Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-van-gundy/)

> [We're professional athletes, and we have moments where we step back, and we have to think and assess everything in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-foles/we-re-professional-athletes-and-we-have-moments-where-we-step-back/)

[Nick Foles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-foles/)

> [I personally believe that professional athletes should give back to their communities in any way possible. We are in a position to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-palmer/i-personally-believe-that-professional-athletes-should-give-back-to/)

[Carson Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-palmer/)

> [In reality, we can prove that the incidents of drug, alcohol abuse and violence have dropped dramatically among professional athletes - but the problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-steinberg/in-reality-we-can-prove-that-the-incidents-of-drug-alcohol-abuse-and/)

[Leigh Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-steinberg/)

> [It is surprising how many professional athletes, along with their families and friends, are gaga over movie and music stars, and the reverse is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/it-is-surprising-how-many-professional-athletes-along-with-their/)

[Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/)

> [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/)

> [Professional athletes have been blessed by God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-cesar-chavez-sr/professional-athletes-have-been-blessed-by-god/)

[Julio Cesar Chavez Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-cesar-chavez-sr/)

> [Professional athletes die twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/professional-athletes-die-twice/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

## More by Jason Collins

> [I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-the-first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-most-you-can-do-is-stand-up-for-what-you-believe-in-i-m-much/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [It's my job to go out there and do my job and be ready when my name and number is called, regardless of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/it-s-my-job-to-go-out-there-and-do-my-job-and-be-ready-when-my-name/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [Anytime you lose a lot of weight you're going to feel lighter on your feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/anytime-you-lose-a-lot-of-weight-you-re-going-to-feel-lighter-on-your/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [I have had a moment where, well actually a couple moments, where people in the realm of sports have confided in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-have-had-a-moment-where-well-actually-a-couple-moments-where-people/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [The best part of when you reveal your authentic self publicly is that it will allow those people around you, whether it's your teammates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-best-part-of-when-you-reveal-your-authentic-self-publicly-is-that/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [As all professional athletes know, Father Time is undefeated, and when I wake up in the morning, my back especially lets me know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-all-professional-athletes-know-father-time-is-undefeated-and-when/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-am-in-love-with-the-creator-of-heaven-and-earth-i-see-the-morning/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [For many young people growing up in minority communities, there is a sense that their lives are disposable. As athletes, we have a platform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/for-many-young-people-growing-up-in-minority-communities-there-is-a/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [The NBA is like a brotherhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-nba-is-like-a-brotherhood/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [I've met many people who have come up to me and told me how my story has impacted them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-ve-met-many-people-who-have-come-up-to-me-and-told-me-how-my-story/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [So, I got asked in January of 2014 to attend the State of the Union and sit as a guest in the first lady's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/so-i-got-asked-in-january-of-2014-to-attend-the-state-of-the-union/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [There's only so many times you can write the story about the gay teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/there-s-only-so-many-times-you-can-write-the-story-about-the-gay/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/openness-may-not-completely-disarm-prejudice-but-it-s-a-good-place-to/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

> [I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-knew-that-i-was-choosing-the-road-less-traveled-but-i-m-not-walking/)

[Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

[Explore all 114 Jason Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/)

## More Athletes quotes

> [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/)

[Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/)

> [Whether it's basketball, football, baseball, you like meeting other athletes to see how their jobs work, and everything like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/whether-it-s-basketball-football-baseball-you-like-meeting-other/)

[Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/)

> [I'd just like to see athletes awake. And aware. There's so much going on and so much to know... We stay in our little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-teter/i-d-just-like-to-see-athletes-awake-and-aware-there-s-so-much-going/)

[Hannah Teter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-teter/)

> [Professional athletes die twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/professional-athletes-die-twice/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [It's important for closet gay athletes everywhere, not just at the professional level, but more importantly athletes at the younger level in high school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-fujita/it-s-important-for-closet-gay-athletes-everywhere-not-just-at-the/)

[Scott Fujita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-fujita/)

> [Theres that initial reticence for some athletes to take you seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-guerrero/theres-that-initial-reticence-for-some-athletes-to-take-you-seriously/)

[Lisa Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-guerrero/)

> [I think athletes in general, your days are numbered. Any time you can kind of learn and grow from an entrepreneurship standpoint and ownership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/i-think-athletes-in-general-your-days-are-numbered-any-time-you-can/)

[Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/)

> [Athletes can not look the same and be great in their individual sport. The example I like to use is Gabby Douglas. She could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-carter/athletes-can-not-look-the-same-and-be-great-in-their-individual-sport/)

[Michelle Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-carter/)

> [“Athletes, we were supposed to just be there, and in class I made it a point that I was prepared for every exam, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-wilkens/athletes-we-were-supposed-to-just-be-there-and-in-class-i-made-it-a/)

[Lenny Wilkens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-wilkens/)

> [My guess is many top athletes, distance runners included, use performance-enhancing drugs, enough so that the problem must be tackled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rodgers/my-guess-is-many-top-athletes-distance-runners-included-use/)

[Bill Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rodgers/)

> [I always tell young athletes the same thing, 'Wherever you go, whatever you do, what must your top priority be? Running.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-always-tell-young-athletes-the-same-thing-wherever-you-go-whatever/)

[Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/)

> [The most important thing to me is to inspire all these athletes in the next generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobin-heath/the-most-important-thing-to-me-is-to-inspire-all-these-athletes-in/)

[Tobin Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobin-heath/)

> [Somewhere behind the athlete you have become, and hours if practice is a little girl who picked up a ball, fell in love with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/somewhere-behind-the-athlete-you-have-become-and-hours-if-practice-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Athletes love challenges, and golf is something you can never master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-horry/athletes-love-challenges-and-golf-is-something-you-can-never-master/)

[Robert Horry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-horry/)

> [My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-concentration-level-blocks-out-everything-concentration-is-why/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 601 Athletes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jason Collins"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-inspiring-the-next-generation/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Athletes"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-inspiring-the-next-generation/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/jason-collins-4195_athletes_as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-i_1079285.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“As professional athletes, we're used to inspiring the next generation, people who are younger than us.” — Jason Collins",
                "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": "Jason Collins",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "As professional athletes, we're used to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-inspiring-the-next-generation/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-professional-athletes-we-re-used-to-inspiring-the-next-generation/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
