---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm…"
description: "\"I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because when you play football they want you being tough, not just because you sprain your ankle cryin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png"
---

#  I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because…

![“I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because when you play football they want you being tough, not just because you sprain your ankle crying &quot;Mama, mama!&quot;” quote by Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png)

> “I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because when you play football they want you being tough, not just because you sprain your ankle crying "Mama, mama!"”

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

## About This Quote

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

A tough exterior can coexist with vulnerability; resilience is built through confronting pain and expectations.

**In simple terms:** Toughness and kindness can coexist.

Key Takeaway

Embrace strength while acknowledging feelings.

Themes

toughness vulnerability resilience sports masculinity

Mood

determined empathetic

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- Team sports
- rehabilitation
- mental health coaching
- personal growth workshops

Key Concepts

Emotional resilience identity negotiation performance pressure

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “tough” mean to you?
- How can vulnerability strengthen you?

A Different Perspective

Societal pressure may discourage showing weakness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ankles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Durable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/durable/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Good guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-guy/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Guy Durable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy-durable-969923/) [Mama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mama/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-football/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough/) [Tough guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough-guy/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-tough-279343/)

## Related quotes

> [Mike Brown is a big guy; he's very durable. He's extremely strong and very well-rounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urijah-faber/mike-brown-is-a-big-guy-he-s-very-durable-he-s-extremely-strong-and/)

[Urijah Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urijah-faber/)

> [“Tough men are tough not because they want to be tough, but because they have to be tough. Outgrow the adolescent fawning over being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/tough-men-are-tough-not-because-they-want-to-be-tough-but-because/)

[Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/)

> [When you're playing a tough guy, all the other guys want to be tough right back at you and it amps them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/when-you-re-playing-a-tough-guy-all-the-other-guys-want-to-be-tough/)

[David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/)

> [The American ideal of sexuality appears to be rooted in the American ideal of masculinity. This idea has created cowboys and Indians, good guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/the-american-ideal-of-sexuality-appears-to-be-rooted-in-the-american/)

[James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/)

> [I'm tough when I have to be, tender when I should be. When you find a really tough guy, he's not a predator. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-tough-when-i-have-to-be-tender-when-i-should-be-when-you-find-a/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I wore the gold is symbolic of my African heritage. When my black ancestors was bought over here from Africa they were shackled by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-wore-the-gold-is-symbolic-of-my-african-heritage-when-my-black/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I have the mohawk,even though people still call it the mohawk I say "I don't wanna be disrespectful to the Mohican Indians but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-have-the-mohawk-even-though-people-still-call-it-the-mohawk-i-say-i/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [My gun screaming 'what now?' You want that tough shit? Our guns act tough now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-keef/my-gun-screaming-what-now-you-want-that-tough-shit-our-guns-act-tough/)

[Chief Keef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-keef/)

> [“You know you can be as sweet as you want, or as tough as you want, or both at the same time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/you-know-you-can-be-as-sweet-as-you-want-or-as-tough-as-you-want-or/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [The way I operate as a football player and the product that I put on the field in relation to the business that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-amendola/the-way-i-operate-as-a-football-player-and-the-product-that-i-put-on/)

[Danny Amendola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-amendola/)

> [I want the tough road. I want to fight all the best guys. And if I feel like I can be the UFC champ,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-want-the-tough-road-i-want-to-fight-all-the-best-guys-and-if-i-feel/)

[Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/)

> [I want to be the Tough Justice Secretary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grayling/i-want-to-be-the-tough-justice-secretary/)

[Chris Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grayling/)

> [I teach kids that want to be tough that their fists are not the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/i-teach-kids-that-want-to-be-tough-that-their-fists-are-not-the-way/)

[George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/)

> [In addition to relentlessly resourceful, you want a tough and a calm cofounder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/in-addition-to-relentlessly-resourceful-you-want-a-tough-and-a-calm/)

[Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/)

> [Do you want to be the tough person in the school that doesn't secede or the person that focouses and passes and has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-garrison/do-you-want-to-be-the-tough-person-in-the-school-that-doesn-t-secede/)

[Maeve Garrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-garrison/)

## More by Mr. T

> [Hmm, on my downtime, I take a shower or listen to the Bible on tape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/hmm-on-my-downtime-i-take-a-shower-or-listen-to-the-bible-on-tape/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [This guy Clubber Lang, I've been him all my life. He's mean and hungry just like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/this-guy-clubber-lang-i-ve-been-him-all-my-life-he-s-mean-and-hungry/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I don't like magic - but I have been known to make guys disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-don-t-like-magic-but-i-have-been-known-to-make-guys-disappear/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I don't call up the press and say, 'Look at me!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-don-t-call-up-the-press-and-say-look-at-me/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I tell everybody, I get so much because I give so much. I give freely, I give all my time, give all my money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-tell-everybody-i-get-so-much-because-i-give-so-much-i-give-freely-i/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I'm tough when I have to be, tender when I should be. When you find a really tough guy, he's not a predator. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-tough-when-i-have-to-be-tender-when-i-should-be-when-you-find-a/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I don't mean to be cocky, but if I'm never on TV again, if I never make another dollar, I am proud. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-don-t-mean-to-be-cocky-but-if-i-m-never-on-tv-again-if-i-never-make/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I hope people have pulled something about me and said "Hey Mr. T loves his mother, hey Mr. T ain't no dummy, hey Mr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-hope-people-have-pulled-something-about-me-and-said-hey-mr-t-loves/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I try to use my experience and the fact that I grew up in the ghetto - I tell people you don't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-try-to-use-my-experience-and-the-fact-that-i-grew-up-in-the-ghetto/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [If every man loves his mother, he's going to treat the ladies right, with love and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/if-every-man-loves-his-mother-he-s-going-to-treat-the-ladies-right/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [Back in the day, I would wear up to 45 pounds of gold. It would take me four hours to get dressed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/back-in-the-day-i-would-wear-up-to-45-pounds-of-gold-it-would-take-me/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I'm not gonna buy something without planning. If I buy $100,000 worth of gold, I gotta put $100,000 aside for my family in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-not-gonna-buy-something-without-planning-if-i-buy-100-000-worth/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I believe in the Golden Rule - The Man with the Gold... Rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-believe-in-the-golden-rule-the-man-with-the-gold-rules/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [First name: Mister; middle name: period; last name T.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/first-name-mister-middle-name-period-last-name-t/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [I take a lot of pride in the work I do, because people pay to see me. They've got to get babysitters, park their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-take-a-lot-of-pride-in-the-work-i-do-because-people-pay-to-see-me/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

[Explore all 183 Mr. T quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

## More Ankles quotes

> [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/)

[Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/)

> [The sugar maple is remarkable for its clean ankle. The groves of these trees looked like vast forest sheds, their branches stoppingshort at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-sugar-maple-is-remarkable-for-its-clean-ankle-the-groves-of-these/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/)

[Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/)

> [I've broken all my fingers, I've broken my hand, ribs, ankles... everything, I've broken everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sky-blu/i-ve-broken-all-my-fingers-i-ve-broken-my-hand-ribs-ankles-everything/)

[Sky Blu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sky-blu/)

> [Never walk near the bed; to a ghost your ankle is your most vulnerable part-once in bed, you're safe; he may lie around under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/never-walk-near-the-bed-to-a-ghost-your-ankle-is-your-most-vulnerable/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [You may feel a tugging sensation near your ankles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/you-may-feel-a-tugging-sensation-near-your-ankles/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [Rock stars are like sports stars: If you snap your ankle, you're done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/rock-stars-are-like-sports-stars-if-you-snap-your-ankle-you-re-done/)

[Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/)

> [A tall blonde entered the room, wearing a yellow sash that marked her as advocate. Two men followed her, carrying papers. She was lean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/a-tall-blonde-entered-the-room-wearing-a-yellow-sash-that-marked-her/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [We're told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/we-re-told-cars-cause-pollution-a-hundred-years-ago-city-streets-were/)

[P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/)

> [In the past five weeks I've trained hard, trying to get my ankle back to where I want it to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-flintoff/in-the-past-five-weeks-i-ve-trained-hard-trying-to-get-my-ankle-back/)

[Andrew Flintoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-flintoff/)

> [It isn't a coincidence that governments everywhere want to educate children. Government education, in turn, is supposed to be evidence of the state's goodness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/llewellyn-rockwell/it-isn-t-a-coincidence-that-governments-everywhere-want-to-educate/)

[Llewellyn Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/llewellyn-rockwell/)

> [I have kind of loose ankles a little bit, and sometimes that's not always good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/i-have-kind-of-loose-ankles-a-little-bit-and-sometimes-that-s-not/)

[David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/)

> [Doctor." Gideon set one ankle on the opposite knee and settled back, creating a picture of unyielding decisiveness. "The only way I'm keeping my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/doctor-gideon-set-one-ankle-on-the-opposite-knee-and-settled-back/)

[Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/)

> [Why do guys insist on wearing those odious jeans with their rear ends hanging down around their ankles? Do they really think it's hot?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kluger/why-do-guys-insist-on-wearing-those-odious-jeans-with-their-rear-ends/)

[Steve Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kluger/)

> [Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/dancers-you-know-they-have-pain-everywhere-ankles-in-the-morning-or/)

[Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/)

[Browse all 239 Ankles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because when you play football they want you being tough, not just because you sprain your ankle crying \"Mama, mama!\"",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mr. T"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-durable-because-when-you-play/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ankles"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-durable-because-when-you-play/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/mr-t-2138_ankles_i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-d_872792.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'm a tough guy, but I'm a good guy, I'm durable because when you play football they want you being tough…” — Mr. T",
                "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": "Mr. T",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'm a tough guy, but I'm...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-durable-because-when-you-play/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-a-tough-guy-but-i-m-a-good-guy-i-m-durable-because-when-you-play/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
