--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being named Michael Jordan - I think…" description: "\"Being named Michael Jordan - I think growing up playing sports and having a name like Michael Jordan - and I was extremely competitive - I used to get ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/michael-b-jordan-3540_greatness_being-named-michael-jordan-i-think-growi_1261522.jpg" --- # Being named Michael Jordan - I think growing up playing… ![“Being named Michael Jordan - I think growing up playing sports and having a name like Michael Jordan - and I was extremely competitive - I used to get teased a lot. But it made me want to strive for greatness and be able to compete at whatever I decided to do.” quote by Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/michael-b-jordan-3540_greatness_being-named-michael-jordan-i-think-growi_1261522.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/michael-b-jordan-3540_greatness_being-named-michael-jordan-i-think-growi_1261522.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/michael-b-jordan-3540_greatness_being-named-michael-jordan-i-think-growi_1261522.jpg) > “Being named Michael Jordan - I think growing up playing sports and having a name like Michael Jordan - and I was extremely competitive - I used to get teased a lot. But it made me want to strive for greatness and be able to compete at whatever I decided to do.” [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A famous name fuels ambition and resilience despite teasing. **In simple terms:** Name inspires competitive drive. Key Takeaway Use identity as motivation. Themes sports identity competition Mood motivational reflective Type personal psychological When to use this quote - team sports - personal branding - goal setting - overcoming bullying Key Concepts self‑concept psychology of fame Questions to Reflect On - How does a name affect self‑esteem? - Can fame become a burden? A Different Perspective Pressure of expectations can be stressful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Jordan Extremely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jordan-extremely-4012198/) [Jordan Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jordan-think-4012197/) [Michael jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/michael-jordan/) [Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/name/) [Named Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/named-michael-2891312/) [Playing sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-sports/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Strive For Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive-for-greatness/) ## Related quotes > [George was the easy part. As for Michael, I had always liked the name, and my father's brother is named Michael. I thought it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/george-was-the-easy-part-as-for-michael-i-had-always-liked-the-name/) [George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/) > [“If one day, a bhailach...ye should meet a verra large mouse named Michael-ye'll tell him your grandsire sends his regards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-one-day-a-bhailach-ye-should-meet-a-verra-large-mouse-named/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I used to have an imaginary friend named Michael.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-horan/i-used-to-have-an-imaginary-friend-named-michael/) [Niall Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-horan/) > [I grew up playing sports, so I think of what it would be like to be in the NBA if you were a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-henry/i-grew-up-playing-sports-so-i-think-of-what-it-would-be-like-to-be-in/) [Joshua Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-henry/) > [Kobe Bryant used his platform to inspire millions and help kids around the world achieve success and strive for greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/kobe-bryant-used-his-platform-to-inspire-millions-and-help-kids/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [I've been through so much but believe me I've come out a better person. I strive for greatness because I believe that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-been-through-so-much-but-believe-me-i-ve-come-out-a-better/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In general I strive for greatness and rational achievement, but I admit to you I’ve a terrible fondness for women, a tendency towards drunkenness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-payne/in-general-i-strive-for-greatness-and-rational-achievement-but-i/) [Roman Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-payne/) > [We strive for greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-biles/we-strive-for-greatness/) [Simone Biles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-biles/) > [We are all far from perfect, nor should we pretend to be! We have made mistakes and we have allowed others to be mistakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raina-spencer/we-are-all-far-from-perfect-nor-should-we-pretend-to-be-we-have-made/) [Raina Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raina-spencer/) > [“❤I shall no longer fear what's on the roads ahead of me...nor shall I be in despair about what I left behind. I shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/i-shall-no-longer-fear-what-s-on-the-roads-ahead-of-me-nor-shall-i-be/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [Aspire for progress, hunger for success, and strive for greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inknonw/aspire-for-progress-hunger-for-success-and-strive-for-greatness/) [Inknonw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inknonw/) > [The greatest lesson I've learned is that you have to fight and continue to strive for greatness, as nothing great ever comes easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/the-greatest-lesson-i-ve-learned-is-that-you-have-to-fight-and/) [Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/) > [“Great men don't strive for greatness, they simply do great works.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/great-men-don-t-strive-for-greatness-they-simply-do-great-works/) [Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/) > [I think it's important, no matter your profession, to never become complacent and always strive for greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/i-think-it-s-important-no-matter-your-profession-to-never-become/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [“THE INITIAL STEP IN INDIVIDUAL TRANSFORMATION REQUIRES THAT YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HONEST, OPEN, & VUNERABLE TO ADMIT YOUR SHORTCOMINGS; LOOK AT THE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-guimont/the-initial-step-in-individual-transformation-requires-that-you-allow/) [TA Guimont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-guimont/) ## More by Michael B. Jordan > [ That's probably why my face was looking so crazy when I was crying \[in "Hardball"\] because it was some real. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/that-s-probably-why-my-face-was-looking-so-crazy-when-i-was-crying-in/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [In terms of experience with the police, everybody got those. It's such a reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/in-terms-of-experience-with-the-police-everybody-got-those-it-s-such/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [The world is a little more diverse in 2015 than when the Fantastic Four comic first came out in 1961.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/the-world-is-a-little-more-diverse-in-2015-than-when-the-fantastic/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [I wanted to start creating opportunities for actors out there that weren't so cut-and-dried... My ultimate goal with Outlier is to give these young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/i-wanted-to-start-creating-opportunities-for-actors-out-there-that/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [ \[Chris Evans\] is doing an amazing job with "Captain America." I really enjoy those films as well so that's kind of pretty much where… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/chris-evans-is-doing-an-amazing-job-with-captain-america-i-really/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [As an actor, you never want to feel like a tool. You never want to feel like, "Hey, just come here, say this, stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/as-an-actor-you-never-want-to-feel-like-a-tool-you-never-want-to-feel/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [We were shooting this movie called "Hardball," with Keanu Reeves. We shot in the city, and I just remember I couldn't really do too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/we-were-shooting-this-movie-called-hardball-with-keanu-reeves-we-shot/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [ Working with \[Kyle Chandler\] in the scene was like playing tennis. You work with really talented actors, I think they make other actors look… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/working-with-kyle-chandler-in-the-scene-was-like-playing-tennis-you/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [Watching a really good movie excites me, because it makes we want to get up off the couch and go shoot something and act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/watching-a-really-good-movie-excites-me-because-it-makes-we-want-to/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [Sometimes when you grieve, you grieve at a time where you don't really expect it. You might hear a song or you might smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/sometimes-when-you-grieve-you-grieve-at-a-time-where-you-don-t-really/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [I don't like speaking on things that I don't care about and that I'm not personally invested in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/i-don-t-like-speaking-on-things-that-i-don-t-care-about-and-that-i-m/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [I'm a tropical weather cruiser. I like surfing, you know. I like being on the beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/i-m-a-tropical-weather-cruiser-i-like-surfing-you-know-i-like-being/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [Definitely, as I get older and my taste buds change, I want to do different things. I'm not ready for directing yet, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/definitely-as-i-get-older-and-my-taste-buds-change-i-want-to-do/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [ How are people who are young and look like Oscar \[Grant\] portrayed in the media? You gotta think about that. And somebody given a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/how-are-people-who-are-young-and-look-like-oscar-grant-portrayed-in/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) > [Creating the opportunities for other people and solid projects, things that I like, for sure, definitely. Acting I'll do forever, but I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-b-jordan/creating-the-opportunities-for-other-people-and-solid-projects-things/) [Michael B. Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) [Explore all 128 Michael B. Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-b-jordan/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) [Brendan Mundorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-mundorf/) > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being named Michael Jordan - I think growing up playing sports and having a name like Michael Jordan - and I was extremely competitive - I used to get teased a lot. 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