--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I played so many years without having a…" description: "\"I played so many years without having a big contract, to have the big contract and not win and not have the appreciation, it hurt.\" — Shawn Kemp" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg" --- # I played so many years without having a big contract, to… ![“I played so many years without having a big contract, to have the big contract and not win and not have the appreciation, it hurt.” quote by Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg) > “I played so many years without having a big contract, to have the big contract and not win and not have the appreciation, it hurt.” [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights the frustration of achieving a coveted contract without receiving recognition or success, underscoring the emptiness of external validation alone. **In simple terms:** Success without fulfillment Key Takeaway Recognition matters Themes ambition recognition disappointment validation career Mood melancholic reflective Type personal narrative motivational When to use this quote - professional athletes - performers - contract negotiations Key Concepts sports psychology Practical Applications - career counseling - mental‑health workshops Questions to Reflect On - How do we define success beyond contracts? - What can mitigate the pain of unacknowledged achievement? A Different Perspective Some argue that personal growth outweighs external accolades. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) ## Related quotes > [I want to have a big year. A big year, big fights, big contract, big money, big everything. 2017 is definitely my year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-brunson/i-want-to-have-a-big-year-a-big-year-big-fights-big-contract-big/) [Derek Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-brunson/) > [Obviously a win is always nicer moving forward, especially when I don't have any fights left on my contract. A win's always better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/obviously-a-win-is-always-nicer-moving-forward-especially-when-i-don/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [If you sign a big contract, everybody knows. They're going to print it in the paper. It's on ESPN. You can go online and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wallace/if-you-sign-a-big-contract-everybody-knows-they-re-going-to-print-it/) [Ben Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wallace/) > [I'd thought, Once I get that big contract, all my problems will go away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/i-d-thought-once-i-get-that-big-contract-all-my-problems-will-go-away/) [David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/) > [Whether it's a guy getting a big contract, getting a franchise deal, that comes with expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-mcvay/whether-it-s-a-guy-getting-a-big-contract-getting-a-franchise-deal/) [Sean McVay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-mcvay/) > [Titleist has offered me a big contract not to play its balls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/titleist-has-offered-me-a-big-contract-not-to-play-its-balls/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) > [I've played eight years and gotten better each season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-ve-played-eight-years-and-gotten-better-each-season/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [When you are 28, 29 years old... you are aware that this is going to be your last big contract of your career. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-reus/when-you-are-28-29-years-old-you-are-aware-that-this-is-going-to-be/) [Marco Reus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-reus/) > [If I told you that the big contract had nothing to do with my signing, Id be lying. It made the future secure for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-hull/if-i-told-you-that-the-big-contract-had-nothing-to-do-with-my-signing/) [Bobby Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-hull/) > [You see a lot of times that when a player comes through to the first team and gets the big contract, they do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-de-boer/you-see-a-lot-of-times-that-when-a-player-comes-through-to-the-first/) [Frank de Boer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-de-boer/) > [Everybody can go out and buy fancy things and, while I don't have a problem with that, I do think players should earn the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-yorke/everybody-can-go-out-and-buy-fancy-things-and-while-i-don-t-have-a/) [Dwight Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-yorke/) > [When Jackie got his big contract at CBS and was putting together what turned out to be almost a stock company of players, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-meadows/when-jackie-got-his-big-contract-at-cbs-and-was-putting-together-what/) [Audrey Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-meadows/) > [After I signed my big contract, I expected to be in Charlotte for the rest of my career. Things just didn't work out. Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-johnson/after-i-signed-my-big-contract-i-expected-to-be-in-charlotte-for-the/) [Larry Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-johnson/) > [It's always a dream to sign a big contract, but the main dream is winning a championship and holding that trophy up with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-tannehill/it-s-always-a-dream-to-sign-a-big-contract-but-the-main-dream-is/) [Ryan Tannehill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-tannehill/) > [I don't think things have changed for me. Yes, I got a big contract, but my focus is still the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/i-don-t-think-things-have-changed-for-me-yes-i-got-a-big-contract-but/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) ## More by Shawn Kemp > [I'm relentlessly aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-m-relentlessly-aggressive/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I love Karl Malone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-love-karl-malone/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I was known for a lot of dunks, but my first big dunk really came here in New York. I had some others back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-was-known-for-a-lot-of-dunks-but-my-first-big-dunk-really-came-here/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I'm not U.S.A. Olympic image. I didn't go to college. I came from a different route.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-m-not-u-s-a-olympic-image-i-didn-t-go-to-college-i-came-from-a/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [Anytime you struggle, people are always going to say something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/anytime-you-struggle-people-are-always-going-to-say-something/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I've always thought I could shoot from the outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-ve-always-thought-i-could-shoot-from-the-outside/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [Most of the time when you're going for a championship, unless you have guys who are willing to sacrifice, you're not going to win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/most-of-the-time-when-you-re-going-for-a-championship-unless-you-have/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [Anytime you're playing with a team that's losing, the main guy is going to take a lot of the heat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/anytime-you-re-playing-with-a-team-that-s-losing-the-main-guy-is/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [When you lose you try to learn from your mistakes and build on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/when-you-lose-you-try-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-and-build-on-them/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I wasn't in the right place at Kentucky, and I don't think I ever would have been comfortable in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-wasn-t-in-the-right-place-at-kentucky-and-i-don-t-think-i-ever/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [I started jogging, jogging and jogging. I ran this weight off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-started-jogging-jogging-and-jogging-i-ran-this-weight-off/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [You won't see me doing a lot of talking, but you'll see me doing a lot of playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/you-won-t-see-me-doing-a-lot-of-talking-but-you-ll-see-me-doing-a-lot/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [You know, I'm not going to be on a losing team. That's just not going to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/you-know-i-m-not-going-to-be-on-a-losing-team-that-s-just-not-going/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [If I read an article and believed everything a guy said about me, I'd believe I was the best person in the world or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/if-i-read-an-article-and-believed-everything-a-guy-said-about-me-i-d/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) > [Sometimes I don't realize the things I do on the court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/sometimes-i-don-t-realize-the-things-i-do-on-the-court/) [Shawn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) [Explore all 99 Shawn Kemp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/) ## More Appreciation quotes > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Time can but make her beauty over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/time-can-but-make-her-beauty-over-again/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Appreciation is the purest vibration that exists on the planet today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/appreciation-is-the-purest-vibration-that-exists-on-the-planet-today/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [“My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-thank-yous-always-come-out-rather-labored-i-often-don-t-give-them/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“Like gratitude, authentic appreciation in the workplace is a realisation that can be nurtured and accessed with daily mindful practice. By and large, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/like-gratitude-authentic-appreciation-in-the-workplace-is-a/) [Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/) > [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Recognize and appreciate little things, and enjoy what Life has to offer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/recognize-and-appreciate-little-things-and-enjoy-what-life-has-to/) Cesar Nikko Caharian III > [Men, when it comes to women, value diamonds and put no stock into copper. Diamonds are rare. You can find copper anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/men-when-it-comes-to-women-value-diamonds-and-put-no-stock-into/) Enhance Dreams > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 2,528 Appreciation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I played so many years without having a big contract, to have the big contract and not win and not have the appreciation, it hurt.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shawn Kemp" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a-big-contract-to-have-the-big/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Appreciation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a-big-contract-to-have-the-big/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/shawn-kemp-6170_appreciation_i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a_96894.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I played so many years without having a big contract, to have the big contract and not win and not have the…” — Shawn Kemp", "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": "Shawn Kemp", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-kemp/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I played so many years without...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a-big-contract-to-have-the-big/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-kemp/i-played-so-many-years-without-having-a-big-contract-to-have-the-big/#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 } } ] } ```