---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While we glorify football players for…"
description: "\"While we glorify football players for their accomplishments on the field, they are not heroes.\" — Matt Gaetz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg"
---

#  While we glorify football players for their…

![“While we glorify football players for their accomplishments on the field, they are not heroes.” quote by Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg)

> “While we glorify football players for their accomplishments on the field, they are not heroes.”

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

## About This Quote

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

Celebrating athletes for on‑field success ignores the broader moral responsibilities of heroism.

**In simple terms:** Sports fame isn’t the same as heroism.

Key Takeaway

Recognize true heroism beyond sports.

Themes

heroism media ethics

Mood

critical reflective

Type

analytical commentary

When to use this quote

- team leadership
- community service
- public discourse
- role model evaluation

Key Concepts

celebrity culture role models

Questions to Reflect On

- What qualities truly define a hero?
- How does media shape our perception of heroism?

A Different Perspective

Athletes can inspire but may lack the virtues of a hero.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-players/) [Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroes/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/)

## Related quotes

> [I had some great role models along the way. My on-field heroes were the great Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Willie Mays. I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-ray/i-had-some-great-role-models-along-the-way-my-on-field-heroes-were/)

[Allan Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-ray/)

> [My off-the-field heroes, the people who gave me the values to live by and who inspired me with their hard work and unselfish dedication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-ray/my-off-the-field-heroes-the-people-who-gave-me-the-values-to-live-by/)

[Allan Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-ray/)

> [I appreciate the fans who come out here, and they support us, but it's football. We're not saving lives. We're not police officers. We're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-baldwin/i-appreciate-the-fans-who-come-out-here-and-they-support-us-but-it-s/)

[Doug Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-baldwin/)

> [I know my football. And I adore football players. The crashing noise of a tackle, the huddle grunting, and the roar of the crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/i-know-my-football-and-i-adore-football-players-the-crashing-noise-of/)

[Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/)

> [“Life is full of all sorts of setbacks and twists and turns and disappointments. The character of this team will be how well you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-hayes/life-is-full-of-all-sorts-of-setbacks-and-twists-and-turns-and/)

[Neil Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-hayes/)

> [As a coach, when it comes to football players, we're trying to change their behavior and make them better. As people, we're trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/as-a-coach-when-it-comes-to-football-players-we-re-trying-to-change/)

[Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/)

> [My brothers played football. In fact, I was an absolutely enormous Packer fan, and because I was raised in such a football-centric community, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mckee/my-brothers-played-football-in-fact-i-was-an-absolutely-enormous/)

[Ann McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-mckee/)

> [Dear football players in my math class, just becuase I'm a single boy who enjoys musical theatre doesnt mean I'm gay sincerely, your naked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-football-players-in-my-math-class-just-becuase-i-m-a-single-boy/)

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

> [Football players don't play to salvage things. We enjoy winning. That's what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-clark/football-players-don-t-play-to-salvage-things-we-enjoy-winning-that-s/)

[Ryan Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-clark/)

> [When my pals in high school were starting to drink, it always looked unappealing to me. I would be at a big party and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/when-my-pals-in-high-school-were-starting-to-drink-it-always-looked/)

[Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/)

> [Having a father as a football and a baseball coach, I grew up around college baseball players, college football players, like, I just knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mendoza/having-a-father-as-a-football-and-a-baseball-coach-i-grew-up-around/)

[Jessica Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-mendoza/)

> [You can't compete with this guy. He's a football player, and football players know how to treat a woman right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-hill/you-can-t-compete-with-this-guy-he-s-a-football-player-and-football/)

[Hank Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-hill/)

> [Football players have some bodies! Oh my goodness!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/football-players-have-some-bodies-oh-my-goodness/)

[Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/)

> [Our daily work ethic - that need to always do better and top our last performance - is what makes USWNT football players who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-krieger/our-daily-work-ethic-that-need-to-always-do-better-and-top-our-last/)

[Ali Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-krieger/)

> [I was in the top 1 percent of football players. Indie guys are in the bottom 95 percent of wrestlers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-corbin/i-was-in-the-top-1-percent-of-football-players-indie-guys-are-in-the/)

[Baron Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-corbin/)

## More by Matt Gaetz

> [For the good of the American people, we must place our own interests first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/for-the-good-of-the-american-people-we-must-place-our-own-interests/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [The new conservative movement has to take on Trump's sense of boldness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/the-new-conservative-movement-has-to-take-on-trump-s-sense-of-boldness/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [I do think that if you've got a compelling argument to make in this country, going on television, going online, being on social media,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/i-do-think-that-if-you-ve-got-a-compelling-argument-to-make-in-this/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [You can't go do the Green New Deal. It's a set of aspirations that don't really bring us to sensible action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/you-can-t-go-do-the-green-new-deal-it-s-a-set-of-aspirations-that-don/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [While I unconditionally support the First Amendment, inciting violence against others due to their political affiliation is not constitutionally protected speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/while-i-unconditionally-support-the-first-amendment-inciting-violence/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [I'm a Christian, and I believe the Immaculate Conception was how Jesus was born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/i-m-a-christian-and-i-believe-the-immaculate-conception-was-how-jesus/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [Choosing to disrespect our flag is an over-generalized indictment of the greatest nation on Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/choosing-to-disrespect-our-flag-is-an-over-generalized-indictment-of/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [We should not be a party that is opposed to science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/we-should-not-be-a-party-that-is-opposed-to-science/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [I don't even think the biggest divide is between Republicans and Democrats. I think it's between institutionalists and reformers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/i-don-t-even-think-the-biggest-divide-is-between-republicans-and/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [Upon further reflection, I think that the things Alex Jones has said and done are so hurtful to so many people that a member…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/upon-further-reflection-i-think-that-the-things-alex-jones-has-said/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [If you are anonymous, you are a less capable disrupter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/if-you-are-anonymous-you-are-a-less-capable-disrupter/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [I believe that individuals in our country should not face discrimination for their sex or their gender or their sexual orientation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/i-believe-that-individuals-in-our-country-should-not-face/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [Kneeling for the anthem does nothing to advance solutions to racial injustice, police brutality, or any other social plight. It is a slap in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/kneeling-for-the-anthem-does-nothing-to-advance-solutions-to-racial/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [Climate change isn't something people get to choose to believe or not: it's happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/climate-change-isn-t-something-people-get-to-choose-to-believe-or-not/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

> [We shouldn't tell prosecutors to 'pick and choose' what laws to uphold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/we-shouldn-t-tell-prosecutors-to-pick-and-choose-what-laws-to-uphold/)

[Matt Gaetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

[Explore all 97 Matt Gaetz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/)

## More Ball player quotes

> [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/)

[Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/)

> [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/)

[Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/)

> [I have friends in other industries but if I am training for a wrestling match, I would turn to the best wrestler to train,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-aries/i-have-friends-in-other-industries-but-if-i-am-training-for-a/)

[Austin Aries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-aries/)

> [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I competed every day as a professional football player... You've got to like competing. That's how your team gets better, when you have competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herm-edwards/i-competed-every-day-as-a-professional-football-player-you-ve-got-to/)

[Herm Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herm-edwards/)

> [“I can’t wait to knock you up and have a whole team of little baseball players around this place!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-sterling/i-can-t-wait-to-knock-you-up-and-have-a-whole-team-of-little-baseball/)

[J. Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-sterling/)

> [MOST AMAZING FOOTBALL PLAYER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD &amp;&amp; IN REAL MADRID](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-amazing-football-player-in-the-entire-world-in-real-madrid/)

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

> [My older brothers were both basketball players so I just grew up around the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brook-lopez/my-older-brothers-were-both-basketball-players-so-i-just-grew-up/)

[Brook Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brook-lopez/)

> [I'm a basketball player, so I want to do whatever I've got to do to be on the floor and I'm prepared for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrese-haliburton/i-m-a-basketball-player-so-i-want-to-do-whatever-i-ve-got-to-do-to-be/)

[Tyrese Haliburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrese-haliburton/)

> [“Seeing yourself in print is such an amazing concept: you can get so much attention without having to actually show up somewhere. While others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seeing-yourself-in-print-is-such-an-amazing-concept-you-can-get-so/)

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

> [People say baseball players should go out and have fun. No way. To me, baseball is pressure, I always feel it. This is work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-eckersley/people-say-baseball-players-should-go-out-and-have-fun-no-way-to-me/)

[Dennis Eckersley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-eckersley/)

> [Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/canada-is-a-country-whose-main-exports-are-hockey-players-and-cold/)

[Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/)

> [“The great thing about baseball players, from the point of view of personal hygiene, is how seldom they break a sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/the-great-thing-about-baseball-players-from-the-point-of-view-of/)

[Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/)

> [A lot of scouts and people are enamored with athleticism and youth. So they take that any day over mature, high-quality basketball players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-brogdon/a-lot-of-scouts-and-people-are-enamored-with-athleticism-and-youth-so/)

[Malcolm Brogdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-brogdon/)

> [I'm a baseball player. I've done this my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sale/i-m-a-baseball-player-i-ve-done-this-my-whole-life/)

[Chris Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sale/)

Browse all 1,395 Ball player quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "While we glorify football players for their accomplishments on the field, they are not heroes.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Matt Gaetz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/while-we-glorify-football-players-for-their-accomplishments-on-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ball player"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/while-we-glorify-football-players-for-their-accomplishments-on-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-gaetz-6782_ball-player_while-we-glorify-football-players-for-th_458075.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“While we glorify football players for their accomplishments on the field, they are not heroes.” — Matt Gaetz",
                "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": "Matt Gaetz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gaetz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "While we glorify football players for...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/while-we-glorify-football-players-for-their-accomplishments-on-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gaetz/while-we-glorify-football-players-for-their-accomplishments-on-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
