--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I played football in eighth grade, and…" description: "\"I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a passion for it, it turned out I'm no good at playing it.\" — Ross Mathews" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png" --- # I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a… ![“I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a passion for it, it turned out I'm no good at playing it.” quote by Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png) > “I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a passion for it, it turned out I'm no good at playing it.” [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admits passion for football despite lacking skill, highlighting a love for the game beyond personal talent. **In simple terms:** Love the sport despite not being good. Key Takeaway Enjoy participation, not mastery. Themes sports self‑acceptance passion Mood lighthearted encouraging Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - recreational leagues - watching games - coaching beginners Key Concepts skill gap personal fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay engaged without excelling? - What other roles can you take in the sport? A Different Perspective Skill development can improve enjoyment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eighth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth/) [Eighth grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth-grade/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football Eighth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-eighth-2787738/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grade/) [Grade Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grade-passion-2787739/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Played](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played/) [Played Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played-football/) [Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing/) [Though](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/though/) [Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turned/) ## Related quotes > [My mothers dad dropped out of the eighth grade to work. He had to. By the time he was 30, he was a master…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/my-mothers-dad-dropped-out-of-the-eighth-grade-to-work-he-had-to-by/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [I've always loved doing research. I remember doing a research project on the Babylonian numeral system in the eighth grade and thinking, 'This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/i-ve-always-loved-doing-research-i-remember-doing-a-research-project/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [I was in eighth grade when I did my first Junior Theatre show. I was in 'Annie Get Your Gun' as a dancing Indian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-nicholaw/i-was-in-eighth-grade-when-i-did-my-first-junior-theatre-show-i-was/) [Casey Nicholaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-nicholaw/) > [I never believed in pushing my kids. My dad was very unhappy I wasn't going to be a doctor, but I couldn't stand to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-reinsdorf/i-never-believed-in-pushing-my-kids-my-dad-was-very-unhappy-i-wasn-t/) [Jerry Reinsdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-reinsdorf/) > [When I was in the eighth grade, I wrote this huge long paper about how I had no idea what I was gonna do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantel-vansanten/when-i-was-in-the-eighth-grade-i-wrote-this-huge-long-paper-about-how/) [Shantel VanSanten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantel-vansanten/) > [I grew up in Del Mar, Calif., north of San Diego. I got my first job the summer after eighth grade at a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ulevitch/i-grew-up-in-del-mar-calif-north-of-san-diego-i-got-my-first-job-the/) [David Ulevitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ulevitch/) > [My girlfriend in eighth grade had been asking her friends when I was going to kiss her. 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I have steered clear ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-sommer/my-only-foray-into-anything-stock-market-related-was-in-my-eighth/) [Rich Sommer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-sommer/) > [I mean, I did a play when I was in eighth grade, but who hasn't?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bria-vinaite/i-mean-i-did-a-play-when-i-was-in-eighth-grade-but-who-hasn-t/) [Bria Vinaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bria-vinaite/) > [As I got older, I'd say probably when I got to, like, seventh or eighth grade, I was living in Atlanta, Georgia at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lambert/as-i-got-older-i-d-say-probably-when-i-got-to-like-seventh-or-eighth/) [David Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lambert/) > [When we home schooled my oldest, Jasper, in eighth grade, I saw how empowering it is for a child to learn in their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-amis/when-we-home-schooled-my-oldest-jasper-in-eighth-grade-i-saw-how/) [Suzy Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-amis/) > [Back in eighth grade, I'd seen nothing but small-town Georgia when I left the U.S. for the first time and went to Hong Kong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandler-massey/back-in-eighth-grade-i-d-seen-nothing-but-small-town-georgia-when-i/) [Chandler Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandler-massey/) > [I wasn't athletic as a kid, and I was self-conscious about my body, but then in eighth grade I won a school contest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mcgorry/i-wasn-t-athletic-as-a-kid-and-i-was-self-conscious-about-my-body-but/) [Matt McGorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mcgorry/) ## More by Ross Mathews > [There are two industry secrets to surviving a long day on camera on the red carpet: First, no drinking the night before - ever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/there-are-two-industry-secrets-to-surviving-a-long-day-on-camera-on/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I actually quite love following Lisa Rinna on Twitter, because she tweets like I tweet, which is like, 'Just dropped off the kids!' Or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-actually-quite-love-following-lisa-rinna-on-twitter-because-she/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I remember watching Regis and Kathie Lee interview celebrities, and my mom looked so happy. I just did the math. I wanted to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-remember-watching-regis-and-kathie-lee-interview-celebrities-and-my/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [When you struggle with weight, it's not an internal struggle... it's literally an external struggle, and everyone sees it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/when-you-struggle-with-weight-it-s-not-an-internal-struggle-it-s/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [Since I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a talk show host.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/since-i-was-8-years-old-i-wanted-to-be-a-talk-show-host/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [What I love most about achieving whatever I've achieved is that the Seattle Seahawks follow me on Twitter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/what-i-love-most-about-achieving-whatever-i-ve-achieved-is-that-the/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [There were times I was told, 'You are too gay.' I turned down a lot of things because producers said they wanted me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/there-were-times-i-was-told-you-are-too-gay-i-turned-down-a-lot-of/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [“Instead, play it cool, heed the advice of Wilson Phillips, and "Hold on for one more day…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/instead-play-it-cool-heed-the-advice-of-wilson-phillips-and-hold-on/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [Celebrities know I'm not looking for a 'gotcha' moment. I don't want to be Barbara Walters who you come to when you first check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/celebrities-know-i-m-not-looking-for-a-gotcha-moment-i-don-t-want-to/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I learned from my father how to swear right and how to string it together for optimum effect/affect. I use it like karate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-learned-from-my-father-how-to-swear-right-and-how-to-string-it/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [If you haven't seen me lasso, you haven't lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/if-you-haven-t-seen-me-lasso-you-haven-t-lived/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [My DVR, like, sees inside my soul, and inside my soul is a 65-year-old retired woman. So there's Food Network, HGTV and 'Golden Girls'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/my-dvr-like-sees-inside-my-soul-and-inside-my-soul-is-a-65-year-old/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I've met Oprah Winfrey twice, but I want to spend some quality time with her. I want to sit her down and talk at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-ve-met-oprah-winfrey-twice-but-i-want-to-spend-some-quality-time/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I'll talk to Howard Stern about anything. I listen to him every day. I love him. When you go on his show, you kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-ll-talk-to-howard-stern-about-anything-i-listen-to-him-every-day-i/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [It's a well-known fact that the TV camera adds 10 pounds. I don't want to say that I've been calling my Jenny Craig consultant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/it-s-a-well-known-fact-that-the-tv-camera-adds-10-pounds-i-don-t-want/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) [Explore all 48 Ross Mathews quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) ## More Eighth quotes > [I always say I want to die on the eighth curtain call. Eight will mean the show's been rather a success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prunella-scales/i-always-say-i-want-to-die-on-the-eighth-curtain-call-eight-will-mean/) [Prunella Scales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prunella-scales/) > [I'm the only kid in the world who doesn't want an eighth Harry Potter book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-m-the-only-kid-in-the-world-who-doesn-t-want-an-eighth-harry-potter/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [“friend, guide to life, and the eighth wonder of my world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-timberlake/friend-guide-to-life-and-the-eighth-wonder-of-my-world/) [Amy Timberlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-timberlake/) > [Sometimes it's better to come through from, say, last to eighth than staying eighth, and you've qualified eighth!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-verstappen/sometimes-it-s-better-to-come-through-from-say-last-to-eighth-than/) [Max Verstappen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-verstappen/) > [I saw a man killed in front of my eyes just before my eighth birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-toole/i-saw-a-man-killed-in-front-of-my-eyes-just-before-my-eighth-birthday/) [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) > [My mothers dad dropped out of the eighth grade to work. He had to. By the time he was 30, he was a master…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/my-mothers-dad-dropped-out-of-the-eighth-grade-to-work-he-had-to-by/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > ['Ice Cold' is the eighth in my 'Rizzoli and Isles' thriller series. It was inspired by a true occurrence in the 1960s, now known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-gerritsen/ice-cold-is-the-eighth-in-my-rizzoli-and-isles-thriller-series-it-was/) [Tess Gerritsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-gerritsen/) > [“I was the eighth dwarf. Sneaky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/i-was-the-eighth-dwarf-sneaky/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [The Eighth Commandment was not made for bards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-eighth-commandment-was-not-made-for-bards/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Back in eighth grade, I'd seen nothing but small-town Georgia when I left the U.S. for the first time and went to Hong Kong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandler-massey/back-in-eighth-grade-i-d-seen-nothing-but-small-town-georgia-when-i/) [Chandler Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandler-massey/) > [Before the eighth grade, I probably went to seven or eight different schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-london/before-the-eighth-grade-i-probably-went-to-seven-or-eight-different/) [Jeremy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-london/) > [When we home schooled my oldest, Jasper, in eighth grade, I saw how empowering it is for a child to learn in their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-amis/when-we-home-schooled-my-oldest-jasper-in-eighth-grade-i-saw-how/) [Suzy Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-amis/) > [So, I'm the Eighth Wonder of the World. It's flattering and very, very funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-longoria/so-i-m-the-eighth-wonder-of-the-world-it-s-flattering-and-very-very/) [Eva Longoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-longoria/) > [I was in the eighth standard and was selected as part of my school to meet Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shriya-pilgaonkar/i-was-in-the-eighth-standard-and-was-selected-as-part-of-my-school-to/) [Shriya Pilgaonkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shriya-pilgaonkar/) > [As I got older, I'd say probably when I got to, like, seventh or eighth grade, I was living in Atlanta, Georgia at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lambert/as-i-got-older-i-d-say-probably-when-i-got-to-like-seventh-or-eighth/) [David Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lambert/) [Browse all 62 Eighth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a passion for it, it turned out I'm no good at playing it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ross Mathews" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-even-though-i-had-a-passion-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eighth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-even-though-i-had-a-passion-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd7/ross-mathews-13914_eighth_i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-ev_289256.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I played football in eighth grade, and even though I had a passion for it, it turned out I'm no good at…” — Ross Mathews", "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": "Ross Mathews", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I played football in eighth grade,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-even-though-i-had-a-passion-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-played-football-in-eighth-grade-and-even-though-i-had-a-passion-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 } } ] } ```