--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: According to David Maraniss, the author…" description: "\"“According to David Maraniss, the author of When Pride Still Mattered, Lombardi’s last words, spoken in a delirium on his deathbed, were: “Joe Namath! ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/rich-cohen-26170_books_according-to-david-maraniss-the-author-o_1258308.jpg" --- # According to David Maraniss, the author of When Pride… ![“According to David Maraniss, the author of When Pride Still Mattered, Lombardi’s last words, spoken in a delirium on his deathbed, were: “Joe Namath! You’re not bigger than football! Remember that!” quote by Rich Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/rich-cohen-26170_books_according-to-david-maraniss-the-author-o_1258308.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/rich-cohen-26170_books_according-to-david-maraniss-the-author-o_1258308.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/rich-cohen-26170_books_according-to-david-maraniss-the-author-o_1258308.jpg) > ““According to David Maraniss, the author of When Pride Still Mattered, Lombardi’s last words, spoken in a delirium on his deathbed, were: “Joe Namath! You’re not bigger than football! Remember that!”” [Rich Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-cohen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lombardi warned that ego and overconfidence can blind even the greatest athletes to reality. **In simple terms:** Pride can cloud judgment. Key Takeaway Stay humble, keep perspective. Themes humility ego leadership Mood reflective cautionary Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - coaching - team meetings - personal reflection Key Concepts sports psychology legacy humility Questions to Reflect On - Do you let ego dictate your actions? - How can humility improve performance? A Different Perspective Even legends can misjudge their own importance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [David Maraniss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/david-maraniss-2030368/) [Joe Namath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joe-namath/) [Last Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-word/) [Last words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-words/) [Lombardi Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lombardi-words-3990954/) [Maraniss Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maraniss-author-3990955/) [Mattered Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mattered-lombardi-3990953/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Pride Mattered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride-mattered-3990956/) ## Related quotes > [ “\[David\] Maraniss sees \[Barack\] Obama as a man with "a moviegoer's or writer's sensibility, where he is both participating and observing himself participating, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mayer/david-maraniss-sees-barack-obama-as-a-man-with-a-moviegoer-s-or/) [Jane Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mayer/) > [I'm always gonna be Joe Namath, and I'm not running from that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-namath/i-m-always-gonna-be-joe-namath-and-i-m-not-running-from-that/) [Joe Namath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-namath/) > [“All right, sweetheart; here's your last question, and it's a real challenge, so don't let yourself get distracted by these jealous women. 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