--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always play every game like my back is…" description: "\"I always play every game like my back is against the wall, that this could be it.\" — Shaun Alexander" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png" --- # I always play every game like my back is against the wall… ![“I always play every game like my back is against the wall, that this could be it.” quote by Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png) > “I always play every game like my back is against the wall, that this could be it.” [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Playing with urgency makes every game feel decisive, heightening focus and effort. **In simple terms:** Play each game as if it’s your last. Key Takeaway Treat every challenge with maximum intensity. Themes sports mindset competition focus motivation Mood determined energetic Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - training drills - game preparation - coaching sessions Key Concepts risk assessment mental toughness performance Questions to Reflect On - How does urgency affect performance? - When is it harmful to be overly intense? A Different Perspective Intensity can cause burnout; needs balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) ## Related quotes > [I like to be with my back against the wall in dangerous situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-alvarez/i-like-to-be-with-my-back-against-the-wall-in-dangerous-situations/) [Eddie Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-alvarez/) > [I just try to play every game like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kawhi-leonard/i-just-try-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-game-7-of-the-nba-finals/) [Kawhi Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kawhi-leonard/) > [You have to play every game like it's the last, like it was a final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-jimenez/you-have-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-the-last-like-it-was-a-final/) [Raul Jimenez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-jimenez/) > [You've just got to take every game in stride and play every game like it's your last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-randle/you-ve-just-got-to-take-every-game-in-stride-and-play-every-game-like/) [Julius Randle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-randle/) > [Play this game like the 8 year old you used to be, dreaming to play in the show! Heart, passion, and fire! Remember where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-harper/play-this-game-like-the-8-year-old-you-used-to-be-dreaming-to-play-in/) [Bryce Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-harper/) > [You have to play the game like a NIGGA so you don't get played like a BXTCH!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prettyy-desziee/you-have-to-play-the-game-like-a-nigga-so-you-don-t-get-played-like-a/) Prettyy Desziee > [I'm trying to play every game like it's my last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaren-jackson-jr/i-m-trying-to-play-every-game-like-it-s-my-last/) [Jaren Jackson, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaren-jackson-jr/) > [You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-birdwell/you-have-to-play-this-game-like-somebody-just-hit-your-mother-with-a/) Dan Birdwell > [I'd like to play in every game, like everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvaro-morata/i-d-like-to-play-in-every-game-like-everybody-else/) [Alvaro Morata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvaro-morata/) > [I play every game like it's my last game. All that matters is that you go out there and play every game as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-iverson/i-play-every-game-like-it-s-my-last-game-all-that-matters-is-that-you/) [Allen Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-iverson/) > [You gotta play every game like your last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-brunson/you-gotta-play-every-game-like-your-last/) [Jalen Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-brunson/) > [I play every game like it's going to be my last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-damon/i-play-every-game-like-it-s-going-to-be-my-last/) [Johnny Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-damon/) > [When I am out on the pitch, I think you have got to play every game like it is your last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yannick-bolasie/when-i-am-out-on-the-pitch-i-think-you-have-got-to-play-every-game/) [Yannick Bolasie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yannick-bolasie/) > [“In some aspects losing a child is like a wall, but instead of getting over it, you must carry the wall with you, wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/in-some-aspects-losing-a-child-is-like-a-wall-but-instead-of-getting/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I want to be like a wall, shielding my quarterback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-want-to-be-like-a-wall-shielding-my-quarterback/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) ## More by Shaun Alexander > [We don't just want to win the Super Bowl, we want to make a dynasty. I want to be a player who makes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/we-don-t-just-want-to-win-the-super-bowl-we-want-to-make-a-dynasty-i/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [When you're on the road, there's no time for second chances and messing yourself up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/when-you-re-on-the-road-there-s-no-time-for-second-chances-and/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [Everyone knows me and my wife's story. We didn't have sex until we got married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/everyone-knows-me-and-my-wife-s-story-we-didn-t-have-sex-until-we-got/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [Ever since (childhood), I realized that one of the coolest things in the game is scoring touchdowns. And I think mentally that still drives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/ever-since-childhood-i-realized-that-one-of-the-coolest-things-in-the/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [To be the highest-paid running back ever is quite an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/to-be-the-highest-paid-running-back-ever-is-quite-an-honor/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [I think that it won't be long before a team calls that says, 'Just go do what you do'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-think-that-it-won-t-be-long-before-a-team-calls-that-says-just-go/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [One thing I've been doing since I was a little kid and that's score touchdowns so if somebody needs somebody to get in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/one-thing-i-ve-been-doing-since-i-was-a-little-kid-and-that-s-score/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [It was an emotional roller coaster - going from Christmas, then your aunt dies, and then all the stats come out and you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/it-was-an-emotional-roller-coaster-going-from-christmas-then-your/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [For me, you've got to play football first. We're not trying to be accountants. The money takes care of itself. That's kind of how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/for-me-you-ve-got-to-play-football-first-we-re-not-trying-to-be/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [We play a violent sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/we-play-a-violent-sport/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [I think when you're winning, your uniforms are cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-think-when-you-re-winning-your-uniforms-are-cool/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [I grew up loving Walter Payton. My dad used to always show us film of him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-grew-up-loving-walter-payton-my-dad-used-to-always-show-us-film-of/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [Do I think I can take 20 carries now? Well, I think finally last week and this is week was probably the first time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/do-i-think-i-can-take-20-carries-now-well-i-think-finally-last-week/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [The contract stuff just happens to be a coincidence to me. I always play every game as if my back is against the wall.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/the-contract-stuff-just-happens-to-be-a-coincidence-to-me-i-always/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [I am a better running back every time I step on the field. I try to get better each game, each summer, each season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-am-a-better-running-back-every-time-i-step-on-the-field-i-try-to/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) [Explore all 31 Shaun Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) ## More Against quotes > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I'm not against gay people. I have a relative who is also gay. We can't help it if they were born that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-pacquiao/i-m-not-against-gay-people-i-have-a-relative-who-is-also-gay-we-can-t/) [Manny Pacquiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-pacquiao/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [We do not know which irresponsible Israeli prime minister will take office and decide to use nuclear weapons in the struggle against neighboring Arab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mordechai-vanunu/we-do-not-know-which-irresponsible-israeli-prime-minister-will-take/) [Mordechai Vanunu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mordechai-vanunu/) > [In France they spend six months training policemen, then they give them a gun and put them on the streets, and I don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathieu-kassovitz/in-france-they-spend-six-months-training-policemen-then-they-give/) [Mathieu Kassovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathieu-kassovitz/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [I don't have any regrets or hold any grudge against anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cooper-kupp/i-don-t-have-any-regrets-or-hold-any-grudge-against-anyone/) [Cooper Kupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cooper-kupp/) > [Ronaldo will always score against everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-chiellini/ronaldo-will-always-score-against-everyone/) [Giorgio Chiellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-chiellini/) > [Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it was more or less an understanding in the entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/well-just-that-there-would-be-somebody-in-the-office-and-the-voters/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [It goes way, way back when we were under Sweden's rule. We always think they are better than us. We played against them so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saku-koivu/it-goes-way-way-back-when-we-were-under-sweden-s-rule-we-always-think/) [Saku Koivu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saku-koivu/) > [I'm against unanswerable concentrations of power, whether that be government or private industry or religious figures - anybody who is not accountable to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/i-m-against-unanswerable-concentrations-of-power-whether-that-be/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [I'm an Indian and I shall not do anything that goes against my ethos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherlyn-chopra/i-m-an-indian-and-i-shall-not-do-anything-that-goes-against-my-ethos/) [Sherlyn Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherlyn-chopra/) Browse all 2,190 Against quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always play every game like my back is against the wall, that this could be it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shaun Alexander" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is-against-the-wall-that-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Against" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is-against-the-wall-that-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/shaun-alexander-20158_against_i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is_2417133.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I always play every game like my back is against the wall, that this could be it.” — Shaun Alexander", "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": "Shaun Alexander", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I always play every game like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is-against-the-wall-that-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/i-always-play-every-game-like-my-back-is-against-the-wall-that-this/#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 } } ] } ```