--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sports don't define us; it is not what we…" description: "\"Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for.\" — Michael Wilbon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg" --- # Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for. ![“Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for.” quote by Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg) > “Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for.” [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sports are not the ultimate purpose of life; they are a pastime, not a defining factor. **In simple terms:** Sports don’t define us; they’re just one part of life. Key Takeaway Prioritize broader life goals over sports identity. Themes sports identity purpose life balance Mood thoughtful balanced Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - team dynamics - media coverage Key Concepts meaning of achievement societal values Questions to Reflect On - What non‑sport passions give your life meaning? - How can you balance athletic involvement with other goals? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on sports can neglect other vital aspects of identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Define](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define/) [Define Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-live-1235509/) [Don Define](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-define-504560/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Sports Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports-don-230949/) ## Related quotes > [People don't define who you are. only you can define who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayna-cooper/people-don-t-define-who-you-are-only-you-can-define-who-you-are/) [Dayna Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dayna-cooper/) > [“We don't define the unlimited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/we-don-t-define-the-unlimited/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [We are what we are. We don't have to define it or label it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marijane-meaker/we-are-what-we-are-we-don-t-have-to-define-it-or-label-it/) [Marijane Meaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marijane-meaker/) > [I haven't played tennis since 2006, and tennis is one of those sports where if you don't play, you don't get paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-philippoussis/i-haven-t-played-tennis-since-2006-and-tennis-is-one-of-those-sports/) [Mark Philippoussis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-philippoussis/) > [I'm not much involved in sports, and I don't play, either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kriti-sanon/i-m-not-much-involved-in-sports-and-i-don-t-play-either/) [Kriti Sanon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kriti-sanon/) > [I recommend sports, I don't recommend gambling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/i-recommend-sports-i-don-t-recommend-gambling/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [You know, there's a rule in sports, "Don't do anything great if you can't handle the congratulations."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/you-know-there-s-a-rule-in-sports-don-t-do-anything-great-if-you-can/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Growing up, if I hadn't had sports, I don't know where I'd be. 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I don't want to be known as anything else in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/i-don-t-care-what-they-say-about-me-when-i-m-through-with-sports-i/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [In terms of history and sports, I don't think people will forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-lilly/in-terms-of-history-and-sports-i-don-t-think-people-will-forget/) [Kristine Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-lilly/) > [''I don't define myself by a name or a label.''](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/i-don-t-define-myself-by-a-name-or-a-label/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) ## More by Michael Wilbon > [If I have any attribute that serves me well, it's I don't have a long-range plan in life. I have no idea. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/if-i-have-any-attribute-that-serves-me-well-it-s-i-don-t-have-a-long/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [God, I'm glad I grew up in a time when kids followed sports in the newspaper and on TV and knew every sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/god-i-m-glad-i-grew-up-in-a-time-when-kids-followed-sports-in-the/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Greenies have been part of the clubhouse culture longer than card games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/greenies-have-been-part-of-the-clubhouse-culture-longer-than-card/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [ There are always late bloomers \[in sport\], no matter size, although big men are more often late bloomers. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/there-are-always-late-bloomers-in-sport-no-matter-size-although-big/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [What we've seen this season is that if something that will enhance performance is available, some players will indulge... unless the penalty is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/what-we-ve-seen-this-season-is-that-if-something-that-will-enhance/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Nothing is a violent as football and I bet you like. Just say you don't like it, or can't identify, don't come up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/nothing-is-a-violent-as-football-and-i-bet-you-like-just-say-you-don/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Yeah, see, my view of Jordan is that he doesn't belong to Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/yeah-see-my-view-of-jordan-is-that-he-doesn-t-belong-to-washington/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [ The coverage \[of crimes\] is different. It's less angry when white \[athletes\] are involved, less accusatory, less judgemental. 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Baseball, basketball and hockey need a defining team, in essence to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/football-can-stand-parity-better-than-any-of-the-other-sports-i-think/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Baseball should adopt replay, plain and simple. If we can see it at home or on hand-held PDAs, the technology should be used in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/baseball-should-adopt-replay-plain-and-simple-if-we-can-see-it-at/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Chats are so new to newspapers, historically. But they're so incredibly valuable because editors/reporters/columnists get to find out what's on the minds of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/chats-are-so-new-to-newspapers-historically-but-they-re-so-incredibly/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [ We \[Americans\] are a football-baseball-basketball-golf culture with some ocassional forays into tennis and less often the winter sports. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/we-americans-are-a-football-baseball-basketball-golf-culture-with/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) > [Lombardi, Shula, Landry and Gibbs were innovators. Bill Walsh was a visionary . . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/lombardi-shula-landry-and-gibbs-were-innovators-bill-walsh-was-a/) [Michael Wilbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) [Explore all 29 Michael Wilbon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/) ## More Define quotes > [Don't define the game by the list of the features. Define it by the experience you want to have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-howard/don-t-define-the-game-by-the-list-of-the-features-define-it-by-the/) [Todd Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-howard/) > [I don't want my title to define my character. I don't think, as a president, I will change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-weah/i-don-t-want-my-title-to-define-my-character-i-don-t-think-as-a/) [George Weah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-weah/) > [Well, I don't know how they define that. But they have this Texas blues thing blown kinda out of proportion. I am a Long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hunter/well-i-don-t-know-how-they-define-that-but-they-have-this-texas-blues/) [John Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hunter/) > [I find it hard to define myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-find-it-hard-to-define-myself/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [If I had to define my philosophy, it would be about exploration, a journey, a story-telling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-chalayan/if-i-had-to-define-my-philosophy-it-would-be-about-exploration-a/) [Hussein Chalayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-chalayan/) > [I think the word 'soul' - it depends on what you define by 'soul.' If you're defining it as a mystical aura that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-nicolelis/i-think-the-word-soul-it-depends-on-what-you-define-by-soul-if-you-re/) [Miguel Nicolelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-nicolelis/) > [To define the era we live in is very difficult. How do we define it? We define it by music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/to-define-the-era-we-live-in-is-very-difficult-how-do-we-define-it-we/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I think in some ways we have allowed other people to set the agenda. Other people to define who we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-scott/i-think-in-some-ways-we-have-allowed-other-people-to-set-the-agenda/) [Lee Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-scott/) > [Your words, your schedule, your choices, your obedience, the way you savor your victories and the way you swallow your defeats all help to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kimmel/your-words-your-schedule-your-choices-your-obedience-the-way-you/) [Tim Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kimmel/) > [Define yourself. Never give anyone any chance to define you by their definitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/define-yourself-never-give-anyone-any-chance-to-define-you-by-their/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“Dont ask what the meaning of life is. You define it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishah-madadiy/dont-ask-what-the-meaning-of-life-is-you-define-it/) [Aishah Madadiy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishah-madadiy/) > [If u can define what is love..then you are not in Love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myself/if-u-can-define-what-is-love-then-you-are-not-in-love/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myself/) > [I always say that you define what success is to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/i-always-say-that-you-define-what-success-is-to-yourself/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) > [“Write in hashtags!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/write-in-hashtags/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [It's important to not have my sexuality define me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/it-s-important-to-not-have-my-sexuality-define-me/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) [Browse all 588 Define quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Wilbon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we-live-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Define" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we-live-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/michael-wilbon-21629_define_sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we_2519298.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sports don't define us; it is not what we live for.” — Michael Wilbon", "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": "Michael Wilbon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wilbon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sports don't define us; it is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we-live-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wilbon/sports-don-t-define-us-it-is-not-what-we-live-for/#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 } } ] } ```