--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There were a lot of running backs as good…" description: "\"There were a lot of running backs as good as me. The real difference was that I could focus. I never laid back and relied on natural ability.\" — Jim Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/jim-brown-2991_ability_there-were-a-lot-of-running-backs-as-goo_836448.png" --- # There were a lot of running backs as good as me. The real… ![“There were a lot of running backs as good as me. The real difference was that I could focus. I never laid back and relied on natural ability.” quote by Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/jim-brown-2991_ability_there-were-a-lot-of-running-backs-as-goo_836448.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/jim-brown-2991_ability_there-were-a-lot-of-running-backs-as-goo_836448.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/jim-brown-2991_ability_there-were-a-lot-of-running-backs-as-goo_836448.png) > “There were a lot of running backs as good as me. The real difference was that I could focus. I never laid back and relied on natural ability.” [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) ## 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 credits focus over natural talent for success, emphasizing disciplined effort. **In simple terms:** Focus beats raw talent. Key Takeaway Cultivate focus to excel. Themes discipline focus effort Mood determined pragmatic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - sports - career advancement - academic achievement - creative work Key Concepts performance psychology skill development Questions to Reflect On - How do you train focus? - What role does talent still play? A Different Perspective Focus alone may not compensate for skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [American football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-football/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Laid back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laid-back/) [Natural ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-ability/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-back/) ## Related quotes > [I gave my decisions on the principles of common justice and honesty between man and man, and relied on natural born sense, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-crockett/i-gave-my-decisions-on-the-principles-of-common-justice-and-honesty/) [Davy Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-crockett/) > [The running backs are the strengths of their football team. They have quality players who can do a number of things for their team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-schiano/the-running-backs-are-the-strengths-of-their-football-team-they-have/) [Greg Schiano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-schiano/) > [Hollywood screenwriters tend to have the longevity of NFL running backs. So the truth is no one can put more pressure on us than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-benioff/hollywood-screenwriters-tend-to-have-the-longevity-of-nfl-running/) [David Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-benioff/) > [I'm not a big power-and-strength guy, but I have a lot of balance, and I can take hits and stay on my feet. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-faulk/i-m-not-a-big-power-and-strength-guy-but-i-have-a-lot-of-balance-and/) [Marshall Faulk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-faulk/) > [The history says quarterbacks get paid more than running backs, but I think it depends on the caliber of the player - what you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-bush/the-history-says-quarterbacks-get-paid-more-than-running-backs-but-i/) [Reggie Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-bush/) > [Every guy has different strengths in the NFL. Receivers are different, running backs are different, but they all have that one thing that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-fitzgerald/every-guy-has-different-strengths-in-the-nfl-receivers-are-different/) [Larry Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-fitzgerald/) > [I really don't look at comparing things that way because even in a 14-game season, there could be a running back who could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franco-harris/i-really-don-t-look-at-comparing-things-that-way-because-even-in-a-14/) [Franco Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franco-harris/) > [It started off with coach Joe Brady at LSU. We always talked about downfield blocking and having those touchdown blocks for the running backs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/it-started-off-with-coach-joe-brady-at-lsu-we-always-talked-about/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [There are a lot of running backs who see the first level, the D-linemen, and they can't really see the second level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/le-veon-bell/there-are-a-lot-of-running-backs-who-see-the-first-level-the-d/) [Le'Veon Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/le-veon-bell/) > [Jamaal Charles is one of the finest running backs that's ever put on a Kansas City Chiefs uniform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dorsey/jamaal-charles-is-one-of-the-finest-running-backs-that-s-ever-put-on/) [John Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dorsey/) > [We feel good about our running backs as we have them right now, and we will continue to see how they progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-jones/we-feel-good-about-our-running-backs-as-we-have-them-right-now-and-we/) [Jerry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-jones/) > [You see devaluing of the running backs and the higher valuation of the offensive line. It's difficult for me because I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-bettis/you-see-devaluing-of-the-running-backs-and-the-higher-valuation-of/) [Jerome Bettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-bettis/) > [I don't think running backs have ever been under-valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cowher/i-don-t-think-running-backs-have-ever-been-under-valued/) [Bill Cowher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cowher/) > [I feel blessed. All the great running backs that have come through Ohio State - Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Beanie Wells - I'm happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-elliott/i-feel-blessed-all-the-great-running-backs-that-have-come-through/) [Ezekiel Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-elliott/) > [I don't really compare myself to a lot of other running backs - that's no offense to any other running back, but just the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/le-veon-bell/i-don-t-really-compare-myself-to-a-lot-of-other-running-backs-that-s/) [Le'Veon Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/le-veon-bell/) ## More by Jim Brown > [The three greatest people in my life as a young person were white, my high school superintendent, my high school coach and a -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/the-three-greatest-people-in-my-life-as-a-young-person-were-white-my/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [Capitalistic society teaches kids to be No. 1, but true self-esteem doesn't come from money. It doesn't come from winning the Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/capitalistic-society-teaches-kids-to-be-no-1-but-true-self-esteem/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [The three greatest people in my life as a young person were white. I'm not a person that really deals in color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/the-three-greatest-people-in-my-life-as-a-young-person-were-white-i-m/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [Nobody I ever broke bread with - and I see players all the time - talked about using their head running the football. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/nobody-i-ever-broke-bread-with-and-i-see-players-all-the-time-talked/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [In a perfect world, I don't think any man should slap anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/in-a-perfect-world-i-don-t-think-any-man-should-slap-anyone/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [The three greatest people in my life were white, OK. My high school coach, my high school superintendent and my mentor in Manhasset, Long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/the-three-greatest-people-in-my-life-were-white-ok-my-high-school/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [Success is not only for the elite. Success is there for those who want it, plan for it, and take action to achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/success-is-not-only-for-the-elite-success-is-there-for-those-who-want/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [You have to put money in its proper perspective. The way it is positioned in the culture is like it is the most important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/you-have-to-put-money-in-its-proper-perspective-the-way-it-is/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [People think that coaches are always right, but it's difficult to teach a runner how to run, because every runner is different. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/people-think-that-coaches-are-always-right-but-it-s-difficult-to/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [We have to go back to the memories of 9-11. If that memory doesn't do anything to you as an American, then you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/we-have-to-go-back-to-the-memories-of-9-11-if-that-memory-doesn-t-do/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [The so-called incorrigibles were not the way people said they were. I found a lot of character in some of these people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/the-so-called-incorrigibles-were-not-the-way-people-said-they-were-i/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [I never had a father, really. My great-grandmother raised me. But I was in this country where I got help from people that were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/i-never-had-a-father-really-my-great-grandmother-raised-me-but-i-was/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [One of the most fantastic experiences I ever had was as a decathlete. I finished fifth in the nation my senior year of high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/one-of-the-most-fantastic-experiences-i-ever-had-was-as-a-decathlete/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [When you think of the sacrifices our firefighters make, think about the service of soldiers in foreign lands and listen to their lives, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/when-you-think-of-the-sacrifices-our-firefighters-make-think-about/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [Young black men in this country have to understand that they have a responsibility. They cannot be the enemy in their own neighborhoods and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/young-black-men-in-this-country-have-to-understand-that-they-have-a/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) [Explore all 143 Jim Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There were a lot of running backs as good as me. 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