---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't want to sit there and compare to…"
description: "\"I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone through to what the Black player, the African-American player, goes through.\" — Ron Rivera"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg"
---

#  I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone…

![“I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone through to what the Black player, the African-American player, goes through.” quote by Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg)

> “I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone through to what the Black player, the African-American player, goes through.”

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

## About This Quote

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

He refuses to compare his own hardships to those faced by Black athletes, acknowledging unique systemic challenges.

**In simple terms:** Respect distinct struggles of Black athletes.

Key Takeaway

Recognize systemic inequities.

Themes

equality systemic racism empathy

Mood

serious empathetic

Type

analytical advocacy

When to use this quote

- team leadership
- policy advocacy
- community outreach

Key Concepts

sociology sports ethics racial justice

Questions to Reflect On

- How can allies support without comparing?
- What actions address systemic barriers?

A Different Perspective

Comparison can minimize lived experiences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/)

## Related quotes

> [It's a big opportunity to be the first American player in the history of Juventus. Having the opportunity to wear this shirt, representing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weston-mckennie/it-s-a-big-opportunity-to-be-the-first-american-player-in-the-history/)

[Weston McKennie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weston-mckennie/)

> [Overseas, kids grow up in a soccer culture. The German player sees the game eons above the American player the same age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dicicco/overseas-kids-grow-up-in-a-soccer-culture-the-german-player-sees-the/)

[Tony DiCicco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dicicco/)

> [A lot of people have asked me what's it like being an American player in Europe. 'Do you have to earn more respect because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/a-lot-of-people-have-asked-me-what-s-it-like-being-an-american-player/)

[Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/)

> [My main goal is to be the No. 1 American and the No. 1 player in the world. If an American is on top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-creamer/my-main-goal-is-to-be-the-no-1-american-and-the-no-1-player-in-the/)

[Paula Creamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-creamer/)

> [When a Scottish player goes down the road you're always going to get doubters. You always get people saying you're from a pub league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcginn/when-a-scottish-player-goes-down-the-road-you-re-always-going-to-get/)

[John McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcginn/)

> [Every time a player goes out to ply his trade he's got to play from the ground up - from the soles of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/every-time-a-player-goes-out-to-ply-his-trade-he-s-got-to-play-from/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Every player goes through rough patches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-l-rahul/every-player-goes-through-rough-patches/)

[K. L. Rahul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-l-rahul/)

> [There are a lot of players that want to go to the World Cup, so you have to be the player that goes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-henderson/there-are-a-lot-of-players-that-want-to-go-to-the-world-cup-so-you/)

[Jordan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-henderson/)

> [I am not a player who goes on mazy runs - I like to defend. I like to do a job for the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jones/i-am-not-a-player-who-goes-on-mazy-runs-i-like-to-defend-i-like-to-do/)

[Phil Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jones/)

> [The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes, But Here or There as strikes the Player goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-fitzgerald/the-ball-no-question-makes-of-ayes-and-noes-but-here-or-there-as/)

[Edward Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-fitzgerald/)

> [When you play with a big club, you need to get results every single day, even more when a homegrown player goes into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bojan-krkic/when-you-play-with-a-big-club-you-need-to-get-results-every-single/)

[Bojan Krkic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bojan-krkic/)

> [I'm playing Kyle Edmund, who is so solid. He's an unbelievable player. He goes for his shots. He's not afraid to take it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-shapovalov/i-m-playing-kyle-edmund-who-is-so-solid-he-s-an-unbelievable-player/)

[Denis Shapovalov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-shapovalov/)

> [Every player goes through streaks where they're just not making their shots. It may last two games, it may last ten games, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/every-player-goes-through-streaks-where-they-re-just-not-making-their/)

[Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/)

> [Every time a football player goes to ply his trade, he's got to play from the ground up - from the soles of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/every-time-a-football-player-goes-to-ply-his-trade-he-s-got-to-play/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [I became a player who goes to a lot of effort while training, who can rely on his will and his mental strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-nadal/i-became-a-player-who-goes-to-a-lot-of-effort-while-training-who-can/)

[Rafael Nadal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-nadal/)

## More by Ron Rivera

> [I've always felt it's very important to try to give back to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-ve-always-felt-it-s-very-important-to-try-to-give-back-to-the/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I don't go into any conversations not prepared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-don-t-go-into-any-conversations-not-prepared/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I know I sound overly optimistic, but you know me, I've always been an optimistic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-know-i-sound-overly-optimistic-but-you-know-me-i-ve-always-been-an/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I always feel like I'm coaching for my job. Just like when I was a player for nine years in Chicago. I came in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-always-feel-like-i-m-coaching-for-my-job-just-like-when-i-was-a/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [But, you know, I'm just somebody that's from a different era that when football wasn't such a big part of the political scene. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/but-you-know-i-m-just-somebody-that-s-from-a-different-era-that-when/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [When you get into playing you strive for one thing, that's to be a Super Bowl champion. When you get into coaching, you strive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/when-you-get-into-playing-you-strive-for-one-thing-that-s-to-be-a/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [To have two separate game plans, you're asking for way too much of your team. That's why it's important to have quarterbacks that know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/to-have-two-separate-game-plans-you-re-asking-for-way-too-much-of/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [One thing I've learned is you have to treat everybody fair but you're not going to be able to treat everybody the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/one-thing-i-ve-learned-is-you-have-to-treat-everybody-fair-but-you-re/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [After Mickey passed, I was talking to my mom on the phone. She was talking about how we were such good brothers and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/after-mickey-passed-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-on-the-phone-she-was/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I feel that I have to succeed to the highest level I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-feel-that-i-have-to-succeed-to-the-highest-level-i-can/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [If you make a mistake, you have to step up and you have to take responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/if-you-make-a-mistake-you-have-to-step-up-and-you-have-to-take/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I'm fortunate I landed on my feet in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-m-fortunate-i-landed-on-my-feet-in-washington/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [That's part of my prerogative as a head coach is that I can change my mind because if I'm wrong, I'll admit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/that-s-part-of-my-prerogative-as-a-head-coach-is-that-i-can-change-my/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [I want to be able to coach people, impact people, win football games and hopefully win a Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-want-to-be-able-to-coach-people-impact-people-win-football-games/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

> [Somebody will say, 'Oh, if you go 19-0 you win the Super Bowl.' And I'm like, 'Yeah it does, but let's take it one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/somebody-will-say-oh-if-you-go-19-0-you-win-the-super-bowl-and-i-m/)

[Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

[Explore all 75 Ron Rivera quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/)

## More African american quotes

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/)

[Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/)

> [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [“This popularity extended to Trump himself, who, according to private demographic research conducted at the time, was even more popular with African American and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/this-popularity-extended-to-trump-himself-who-according-to-private/)

[Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/)

> [American civil rights leader, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/)

[Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/)

> [Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/some-republicans-gave-up-on-winning-the-african-american-vote-looking/)

[Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/)

> [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&amp;B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/)

[Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/)

> [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/)

[Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/)

> [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/)

[Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/)

> [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/)

[Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/)

> [I think it's easier for African American and white comics to be praised than it is Latinos because they think our culture or our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lopez/i-think-it-s-easier-for-african-american-and-white-comics-to-be/)

[George Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lopez/)

> [“Alabama in 1927 alone, 27,701 men were arrested on misdemeanor charges and offered for sale by county sheriffs. In Blackmon’s estimation, “roughly half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-haney-l-pez/alabama-in-1927-alone-27-701-men-were-arrested-on-misdemeanor-charges/)

[Ian Haney López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-haney-l-pez/)

> [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/)

[Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/)

[Browse all 1,848 African american quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone through to what the Black player, the African-American player, goes through.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ron Rivera"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to-things-i-ve-gone-through-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "African american"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to-things-i-ve-gone-through-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/845/ron-rivera-9037_african-american_i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to_2043365.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't want to sit there and compare to things I've gone through to what the Black player, the…” — Ron Rivera",
                "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": "Ron Rivera",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't want to sit there...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to-things-i-ve-gone-through-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/i-don-t-want-to-sit-there-and-compare-to-things-i-ve-gone-through-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
