--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think the NFL had the slightest…" description: "\"I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.\" — Joel McHale" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png" --- # I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of… ![“I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.” quote by Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png) > “I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.” [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) ## 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 suggests the NFL never seriously considered him as a player, implying he was only ever seen as a peripheral figure. **In simple terms:** Perceived marginalization in professional sports Key Takeaway Feeling overlooked by elite institutions Themes identity sports culture perception status humor Mood wry defiant reflective Type anecdotal humorous critical When to use this quote - interview about career setbacks - discussion on underdog narratives - analysis of talent scouting - conversation about role expectations Key Concepts self-concept social hierarchy career aspirations Practical Applications - motivational talk on perseverance - satirical commentary on sports media Questions to Reflect On - How does being labeled a 'water boy' affect one's self-worth? - What can organizations do to recognize hidden talent? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [“Maybe when water yearned for fire / it invented waves / so one day they might become flames”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/maybe-when-water-yearned-for-fire-it-invented-waves-so-one-day-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm thirsty need some water boy, Captain Insano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-thirsty-need-some-water-boy-captain-insano/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Whatever it is, I can be a water boy and work my way into a scout team. It doesn't matter. I'll go play for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamarcus-russell/whatever-it-is-i-can-be-a-water-boy-and-work-my-way-into-a-scout-team/) [JaMarcus Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamarcus-russell/) > [I think in the NFL knowledge is power, and you try to get the knowledge by whatever means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-sabol/i-think-in-the-nfl-knowledge-is-power-and-you-try-to-get-the/) [Steve Sabol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-sabol/) > [I think the NFL is always going to put their interests in front of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-mccourty/i-think-the-nfl-is-always-going-to-put-their-interests-in-front-of/) [Devin McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-mccourty/) > [I think that the NFL is better when Cam Newton is playing at his highest level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-taylor/i-think-that-the-nfl-is-better-when-cam-newton-is-playing-at-his/) [Joy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-taylor/) > [I think I could have made it to the NFL if I'd stuck with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weston-mckennie/i-think-i-could-have-made-it-to-the-nfl-if-i-d-stuck-with-it/) [Weston McKennie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weston-mckennie/) > [I didn't make the Pro Bowl until my seventh year I think in the NFL. We continually got better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cris-carter/i-didn-t-make-the-pro-bowl-until-my-seventh-year-i-think-in-the-nfl/) [Cris Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cris-carter/) > [I don't think they should be against the NFL because the NFL, those are two big games. I don't think it would be good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-don-t-think-they-should-be-against-the-nfl-because-the-nfl-those/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I dont think the NFL has ever seen the likes of me, a quarterback who moves the way I do and throws the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-vick/i-dont-think-the-nfl-has-ever-seen-the-likes-of-me-a-quarterback-who/) [Michael Vick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-vick/) > [I think the American sports culture has the idea that professional athletes need so much, like flying private planes, which obviously we don't, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christen-press/i-think-the-american-sports-culture-has-the-idea-that-professional/) [Christen Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christen-press/) > [Football brings people together, from all races, nationalities; so yeah, I think the NFL does a good job of that - a great job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-flores/football-brings-people-together-from-all-races-nationalities-so-yeah/) [Brian Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-flores/) > [I think, when people think of NFL athletes, they forget that they are citizens of this country, that they are bothered by the problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-king/i-think-when-people-think-of-nfl-athletes-they-forget-that-they-are/) [Shaun King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-king/) > [I think the NFL season starts with the first three or four games and all the predictions come out. You're either great on offense,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-mccourty/i-think-the-nfl-season-starts-with-the-first-three-or-four-games-and/) [Devin McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-mccourty/) > [I know the college rule is if they push you out of bounds, you can come back in and catch the ball, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amari-cooper/i-know-the-college-rule-is-if-they-push-you-out-of-bounds-you-can/) [Amari Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amari-cooper/) ## More by Joel McHale > [I love the challenge of an entire year has gone by and how has that affected the character you're playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-love-the-challenge-of-an-entire-year-has-gone-by-and-how-has-that/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [ Well, that would be a title \[the busiest guy in Hollywood\] still reserved for Ryan Seacrest. I have one assistant; he has about nine.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/well-that-would-be-a-title-the-busiest-guy-in-hollywood-still/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [My goal and my career is definitely not to be famous. That's a really horrible goal, just to be famous for the sake of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/my-goal-and-my-career-is-definitely-not-to-be-famous-that-s-a-really/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I'm very happy and being raised Catholic I assume it will end tomorrow. The rug will be pulled out from under me and someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-m-very-happy-and-being-raised-catholic-i-assume-it-will-end/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I don't feel any pressure to joke about #MeToo - in fact, I'd say you shouldn't, because it's a great movement that is exposing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-feel-any-pressure-to-joke-about-metoo-in-fact-i-d-say-you/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [People might say it came easy for me. The fact is, I've worked hard on every role. I prepare for each audition...take the script,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/people-might-say-it-came-easy-for-me-the-fact-is-i-ve-worked-hard-on/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > ['Almost Live' allowed me to take chances and try things you can't do on national television. It allowed me to screw up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/almost-live-allowed-me-to-take-chances-and-try-things-you-can-t-do-on/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I was serious about Ultimate Fighting Championship. And I'm not even ashamed to say it because I want free tickets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-was-serious-about-ultimate-fighting-championship-and-i-m-not-even/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I don't really know. I think the first test is when you're very little and you fart, and you laugh at it and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-really-know-i-think-the-first-test-is-when-you-re-very-little/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [It's an awesome thing to be flung out onto the stage twice a weekend in front of 250 people, and you have to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/it-s-an-awesome-thing-to-be-flung-out-onto-the-stage-twice-a-weekend/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I think the smart people will get even smarter, and the dumb people will get even dumber. But I think they all will enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-think-the-smart-people-will-get-even-smarter-and-the-dumb-people/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I love making fun of YouTubers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-love-making-fun-of-youtubers/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [Our mantra is that 90 percent of all television is bad, and ten percent has never been better. We make fun of that 90 percent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/our-mantra-is-that-90-percent-of-all-television-is-bad-and-ten/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [I loved New Jersey. I thought it was the greatest place in the world because on Halloween kids could start trick or treating right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-loved-new-jersey-i-thought-it-was-the-greatest-place-in-the-world/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [“Commenting on print journalism at the Commenting on print journalism at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner: “Thanks to Obamacare, millions of Americans can visit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/commenting-on-print-journalism-at-the-commenting-on-print-journalism/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) [Explore all 82 Joel McHale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joel McHale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest-intention-of-taking-me-except/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boys" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest-intention-of-taking-me-except/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/596/joel-mchale-8254_boys_i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest_25254.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.” — Joel McHale", "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": "Joel McHale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't think the NFL had...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest-intention-of-taking-me-except/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-think-the-nfl-had-the-slightest-intention-of-taking-me-except/#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 } } ] } ```