--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I tell people to look at me and…" description: "\"I tell people to look at me and understand that everybody first told me that I couldn't be a 6-foot, 9-inch point guard, and I proved them wrong. Then ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/magic-johnson-2707_america_i-tell-people-to-look-at-me-and-understa_1121511.jpg" --- # I tell people to look at me and understand that everybody… ![“I tell people to look at me and understand that everybody first told me that I couldn't be a 6-foot, 9-inch point guard, and I proved them wrong. Then they told me I couldn't be a businessman and make money in urban America, and I proved them wrong. And they thought I couldn't win all these…” quote by Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/magic-johnson-2707_america_i-tell-people-to-look-at-me-and-understa_1121511.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/magic-johnson-2707_america_i-tell-people-to-look-at-me-and-understa_1121511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/magic-johnson-2707_america_i-tell-people-to-look-at-me-and-understa_1121511.jpg) > “I tell people to look at me and understand that everybody first told me that I couldn't be a 6-foot, 9-inch point guard, and I proved them wrong. Then they told me I couldn't be a businessman and make money in urban America, and I proved them wrong. And they thought I couldn't win all these championships, and I proved them wrong there as well.” [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overcoming stereotypes and doubters by achieving unexpected success in sports and business. **In simple terms:** Prove doubters wrong through hard work and resilience. Key Takeaway Defy expectations. Themes determination overcoming doubt success sports business Mood confident inspired assertive Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - Athlete career transitions - entrepreneurship - leadership challenges - urban economic development Key Concepts Self‑efficacy stereotype threat growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What stereotypes have you faced and how did you respond? - How can you support others confronting similar doubts? A Different Perspective Success may still face systemic barriers despite personal achievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Businessman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/businessman/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Point guard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-guard/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) ## Related quotes > [I was told 'you can't play for England, you're at Bolton.' I proved them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cahill/i-was-told-you-can-t-play-for-england-you-re-at-bolton-i-proved-them/) [Gary Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cahill/) > [I expect the worst both from reviewers and sales and then, with any luck, I may be proved wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-beevor/i-expect-the-worst-both-from-reviewers-and-sales-and-then-with-any/) [Antony Beevor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-beevor/) > [People said I couldn't gig, and I proved them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/people-said-i-couldn-t-gig-and-i-proved-them-wrong/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [This is a shining example of never quit, never give up, & never say never. I proved everyone wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickie-james/this-is-a-shining-example-of-never-quit-never-give-up-never-say-never/) [Mickie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickie-james/) > [That shot in the dark was all I needed to prove to myself that you weren't too conceited,but proved it wrong and your sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/love-bandit/that-shot-in-the-dark-was-all-i-needed-to-prove-to-myself-that-you/) Love Bandit > [I don't like to be proved wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/i-don-t-like-to-be-proved-wrong/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [She thought you were one of the good guys. You sure proved her wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-thought-you-were-one-of-the-good-guys-you-sure-proved-her-wrong/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love it when they doubt me and I can prove them wrong. I proved them wrong against Peterson. I did it again against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-rios/i-love-it-when-they-doubt-me-and-i-can-prove-them-wrong-i-proved-them/) [Brandon Rios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-rios/) > [Last time I checked, I could go on with my life and be happy without you, but I guess I proved myself wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nica-escover/last-time-i-checked-i-could-go-on-with-my-life-and-be-happy-without/) [Nica Escover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nica-escover/) > [“Oh yes. I am right until I’m proved wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinod-varghese-antony/oh-yes-i-am-right-until-i-m-proved-wrong/) [Vinod Varghese Antony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinod-varghese-antony/) > [It used to be you a needed a true center to win championships, but now the point guard position holds just as much weight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-miller/it-used-to-be-you-a-needed-a-true-center-to-win-championships-but-now/) [Reggie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-miller/) > [How many managers told me, 'Get a nose job. You're not pretty enough?' But I proved them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-michele/how-many-managers-told-me-get-a-nose-job-you-re-not-pretty-enough-but/) [Lea Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-michele/) > [I always thought that consuming ghee is unhealthy and leads to putting on too much weight, but I was proved wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeetendra/i-always-thought-that-consuming-ghee-is-unhealthy-and-leads-to/) [Jeetendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeetendra/) > [When I started singing, people said I couldn't sing because I was a music director. I proved them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himesh-reshammiya/when-i-started-singing-people-said-i-couldn-t-sing-because-i-was-a/) [Himesh Reshammiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himesh-reshammiya/) > [“And James Loewen just proved that we all are wrong... this concept is fucking hard to be swallowed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/and-james-loewen-just-proved-that-we-all-are-wrong-this-concept-is/) Deyth Banger ## More by Magic Johnson > [I really want people to know that I've worked hard, very hard, to get to where I am today.. this didn't just happen overnight.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-really-want-people-to-know-that-i-ve-worked-hard-very-hard-to-get/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I'm gonna love my son until the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-m-gonna-love-my-son-until-the-end/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [It's a burden trying to keep a secret. It's hard. It probably takes more out of you trying to hold it and keep it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/it-s-a-burden-trying-to-keep-a-secret-it-s-hard-it-probably-takes/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I'm the one who will take chances, not worry about the backlash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-m-the-one-who-will-take-chances-not-worry-about-the-backlash/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I love putting people to work of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-love-putting-people-to-work-of-color/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I thank Him every chance I get - on my knees praying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-thank-him-every-chance-i-get-on-my-knees-praying/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [Don't give up! Be friends with people who help you work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/don-t-give-up-be-friends-with-people-who-help-you-work-hard/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I like to take walks in the park by myself, where no one can bother me and I can think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-like-to-take-walks-in-the-park-by-myself-where-no-one-can-bother-me/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [If you come to me and say, 'Hey look I'm a racist,' or 'I discriminate against blacks,' or 'I don't like you because you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/if-you-come-to-me-and-say-hey-look-i-m-a-racist-or-i-discriminate/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [My work ethic is from sports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/my-work-ethic-is-from-sports/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I want to be here for a long time, so I am going to do everything I have to do to be here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-want-to-be-here-for-a-long-time-so-i-am-going-to-do-everything-i/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [Because if you're going to lose, lose. I'm serious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/because-if-you-re-going-to-lose-lose-i-m-serious/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [When I first found out I had HIV, I had to find somebody who was living with it, who could help me understand my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/when-i-first-found-out-i-had-hiv-i-had-to-find-somebody-who-was/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [I learned to give him the ball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-learned-to-give-him-the-ball/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and someone who believes in them”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/all-kids-need-is-a-little-help-a-little-hope-and-someone-who-believes/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) [Explore all 153 Magic Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I tell people to look at me and understand that everybody first told me that I couldn't be a 6-foot, 9-inch point guard, and I proved them wrong. Then they told me I couldn't be a businessman and make money in urban America, and I proved them wrong. 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