--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd heard stuff from out there that I was…" description: "\"I'd heard stuff from out there that I was just another player, that I was too young. I wanted to show I could play with anybody.\" — Shaquille O'Neal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-d-heard-stuff-from-out-there-that-i-wa_722334.jpg" --- # I'd heard stuff from out there that I was just another… ![“I'd heard stuff from out there that I was just another player, that I was too young. I wanted to show I could play with anybody.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-d-heard-stuff-from-out-there-that-i-wa_722334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-d-heard-stuff-from-out-there-that-i-wa_722334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6e/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-d-heard-stuff-from-out-there-that-i-wa_722334.jpg) > “I'd heard stuff from out there that I was just another player, that I was too young. I wanted to show I could play with anybody.” [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desire to prove oneself despite age or outsider status, seeking validation through competition. **In simple terms:** Wanting to prove I belong despite being young. Key Takeaway Show competence, earn respect. Themes confidence determination identity competition Mood motivated assertive Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - team sports - new job - public speaking - creative projects Key Concepts Self‑efficacy social comparison growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do you demonstrate value when underestimated? - What steps can you take to earn respect? A Different Perspective Age bias can limit opportunities despite skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [“I’ve known you a long time. I’ve seen you before you made the team and gained the popularity, turning into the jerk that’s standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melyssa-winchester/i-ve-known-you-a-long-time-i-ve-seen-you-before-you-made-the-team-and/) [Melyssa Winchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melyssa-winchester/) > [I was a young player, young star in this league. I probably wasn't handling the responsibility the way I should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/i-was-a-young-player-young-star-in-this-league-i-probably-wasn-t/) [Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/) > [To be at Real Madrid, it means that you're a mature player, even if you're very young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcelo/to-be-at-real-madrid-it-means-that-you-re-a-mature-player-even-if-you/) [Marcelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcelo/) > [My parents were in high school and college in the '80s, so let's just say I've heard some stuff, man. We listen to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/my-parents-were-in-high-school-and-college-in-the-80s-so-let-s-just/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [We are meeting with Sony, and we have a couple of other labels that suddenly have interest and that's really great because none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-west/we-are-meeting-with-sony-and-we-have-a-couple-of-other-labels-that/) [Shane West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-west/) > [Every player when you're young is asked to do multiple positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kelce/every-player-when-you-re-young-is-asked-to-do-multiple-positions/) [Jason Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kelce/) > [To be involved in the final is a dream for every single player, not only young ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alaba/to-be-involved-in-the-final-is-a-dream-for-every-single-player-not/) [David Alaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alaba/) > [“I want to cross my arms and say things like, "Don't come back if you're not going to stay!" and "If you think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendare-blake/i-want-to-cross-my-arms-and-say-things-like-don-t-come-back-if-you-re/) [Kendare Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendare-blake/) > [To play anybody real and famous is very scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-kirby/to-play-anybody-real-and-famous-is-very-scary/) [Vanessa Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-kirby/) > [I'd be happy to play for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-mccaffrey/i-d-be-happy-to-play-for-anybody/) [Christian McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-mccaffrey/) > [I love my regular job playing with Alice Cooper, I love doing my solo stuff, I love doing guest spots and guest tours. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-strauss/i-love-my-regular-job-playing-with-alice-cooper-i-love-doing-my-solo/) [Nita Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-strauss/) > [To me, if you can do the Wicked Witch live, you can play anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/to-me-if-you-can-do-the-wicked-witch-live-you-can-play-anybody/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [I felt like I could play with anybody, but some people felt differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-mccaffrey/i-felt-like-i-could-play-with-anybody-but-some-people-felt-differently/) [Christian McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-mccaffrey/) > [I'm open to play for anybody that would give me respect, treat me the right way, and actually going to make me feel comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-martinez/i-m-open-to-play-for-anybody-that-would-give-me-respect-treat-me-the/) [Pedro Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-martinez/) > [On screen, everyone stares at your face, but on stage, you can basically play anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-kirby/on-screen-everyone-stares-at-your-face-but-on-stage-you-can-basically/) [Vanessa Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-kirby/) ## More by Shaquille O'Neal > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [And if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded - period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-if-the-big-dog-ain-t-me-then-the-house-won-t-get-guarded-period/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I don't send messages, I'm not a fax machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-don-t-send-messages-i-m-not-a-fax-machine/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I told our guys they must not have cable because Antoine Walker knows how to play, Derek Anderson can play, Shandon Anderson knows how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-told-our-guys-they-must-not-have-cable-because-antoine-walker-knows/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I was really upset. I felt like they tried to limit me, whoever 'they' may be. So I just said to myself third quarter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-was-really-upset-i-felt-like-they-tried-to-limit-me-whoever-they/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Keep in mind, I'm not allowed to be tough. I'm tamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/keep-in-mind-i-m-not-allowed-to-be-tough-i-m-tamed/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I'm still the baddest expletive in the world. Yeah, I'm getting older, but Kareem got older. Hakeem got older. I don't need Earthlings' respect.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-m-still-the-baddest-expletive-in-the-world-yeah-i-m-getting-older/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Write this: Since my boy is the coach, I'm going to try out for the Dolphins next year. Tight end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/write-this-since-my-boy-is-the-coach-i-m-going-to-try-out-for-the/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Everybody talks about being a role model. But if you look up the word 'role' in a dictionary, it describes playing a part. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/everybody-talks-about-being-a-role-model-but-if-you-look-up-the-word/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Why don't you bring your face up here and let me punch it? Then you can tell me (if I'm stronger).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/why-don-t-you-bring-your-face-up-here-and-let-me-punch-it-then-you/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I'm known as The Big Baryshnikov.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-m-known-as-the-big-baryshnikov/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Enunciation, diction, all that stuff. None of that is in my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/enunciation-diction-all-that-stuff-none-of-that-is-in-my-personality/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I told Leonard, in the immortal words of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2, 'I'm going on vacation. If I tell you where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-told-leonard-in-the-immortal-words-of-tom-cruise-in-mission/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Stats don't matter. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points and we win I'm happy. If I score 50, 60…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/stats-don-t-matter-i-care-about-winning-not-stats-if-i-score-0-points/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) [Explore all 422 Shaquille O'Neal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) ## More Basketball quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd heard stuff from out there that I was just another player, that I was too young. 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