--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was afraid I would see someone from my…" description: "\"I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought I was this big athlete, and then I end up being just normal.\" — Victor Cruz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png" --- # I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought… ![“I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought I was this big athlete, and then I end up being just normal.” quote by Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png) > “I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought I was this big athlete, and then I end up being just normal.” [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear of being judged by past expectations can make one feel inadequate when returning to ordinary life. **In simple terms:** Worry about past image can cause insecurity. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and focus on present self. Themes self‑esteem identity humility Mood anxious reflective Type personal motivational When to use this quote - team reunion - family gatherings - public appearances - career transitions Key Concepts social anxiety self‑concept Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile past reputation with present self? - What steps can you take to feel comfortable in everyday situations? A Different Perspective Past expectations may not reflect current reality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I was a big athlete, but I think a lot of the things I did were because they were my false identity, if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walker-hayes/i-was-a-big-athlete-but-i-think-a-lot-of-the-things-i-did-were/) [Walker Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-hayes/) > [Bobsledders are big athletes, and I'm a big athlete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elana-meyers/bobsledders-are-big-athletes-and-i-m-a-big-athlete/) [Elana Meyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elana-meyers/) > [I don't think some athletes understand how big it is to be an athlete, what they can do with just a simple gesture of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kemp/i-don-t-think-some-athletes-understand-how-big-it-is-to-be-an-athlete/) [Matt Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kemp/) > [I was a big kid and a big athlete, but let's be honest: I don't know diddly about football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-show/i-was-a-big-kid-and-a-big-athlete-but-let-s-be-honest-i-don-t-know/) [Big Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-show/) > [Dont be afraid of your past. Learn from it so it can empower your present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/dont-be-afraid-of-your-past-learn-from-it-so-it-can-empower-your/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Don't be afraid of your past, it has no power over you except what you give it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adaeze-agbai/don-t-be-afraid-of-your-past-it-has-no-power-over-you-except-what-you/) [Adaeze Agbai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adaeze-agbai/) > [“I’m so fucked-up right now, I have no idea what I’m doing. I want to grab on to her and never let her go.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-grayson/i-m-so-fucked-up-right-now-i-have-no-idea-what-i-m-doing-i-want-to/) [Alex Grayson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-grayson/) > [Modern men are afraid of the past. It is a record of human achievement, but its other face is human defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/modern-men-are-afraid-of-the-past-it-is-a-record-of-human-achievement/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Millions of people are afraid of the past, the future, old age, insanity and death. But fear is a thought in your mind. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/millions-of-people-are-afraid-of-the-past-the-future-old-age-insanity/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Sometime we get so addicted to murmuring about the past and blaming the past for everything that we miss our whole future. You're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/sometime-we-get-so-addicted-to-murmuring-about-the-past-and-blaming/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Do not be afraid of the past. If people tell you that it is irrevocable, do not believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/do-not-be-afraid-of-the-past-if-people-tell-you-that-it-is-2/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“They began by controlling books of cartoons and then detective books and, of course, films, one way or another, one group or another, political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/they-began-by-controlling-books-of-cartoons-and-then-detective-books/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Do not be afraid of the past. If people tell you that it is irrevocable, do not believe them. The past, the present and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/do-not-be-afraid-of-the-past-if-people-tell-you-that-it-is/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Its not the future that youre afraid of, its the past that makes you anxious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-rogers/its-not-the-future-that-youre-afraid-of-its-the-past-that-makes-you/) [Sydney Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-rogers/) > [“DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE THE PAST HEAD ON.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/don-t-be-afraid-to-take-the-past-head-on/) [Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/) ## More by Victor Cruz > [It was definitely some tough moments throughout my life, but I kind of stayed focused and came through the other end of the tunnel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/it-was-definitely-some-tough-moments-throughout-my-life-but-i-kind-of/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I want to win championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-want-to-win-championships/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [Growing up in Paterson wasn't the easiest thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/growing-up-in-paterson-wasn-t-the-easiest-thing/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I don't mess around when it comes to brushing my teeth. Properly brushed, twice a day, every day, to get my day started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-don-t-mess-around-when-it-comes-to-brushing-my-teeth-properly/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [Any time there's a coaching change, that's something that's pretty significant, and especially for the New York Giants, who have had the same coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/any-time-there-s-a-coaching-change-that-s-something-that-s-pretty/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I want to win football games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-want-to-win-football-games/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [The most important thing is that I'm in a position to take care of my family and take care of my moms, man. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/the-most-important-thing-is-that-i-m-in-a-position-to-take-care-of-my/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I couldn't care less about what anybody else has to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-couldn-t-care-less-about-what-anybody-else-has-to-say/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [When I was young, it wasn't about the money, it wasn't about the fame and fortune, it was about playing football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/when-i-was-young-it-wasn-t-about-the-money-it-wasn-t-about-the-fame/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [As a kid, my grandma would be dancing all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/as-a-kid-my-grandma-would-be-dancing-all-the-time/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I've always kept that same hunger because I understand that this game isn't promised. I hadn't been here long enough to understand that when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-ve-always-kept-that-same-hunger-because-i-understand-that-this-game/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I really love fashion and style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-really-love-fashion-and-style/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [My mom lived by herself with two kids. Sacrifice was the name of the game at our house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/my-mom-lived-by-herself-with-two-kids-sacrifice-was-the-name-of-the/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [It is funny what a year can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/it-is-funny-what-a-year-can-do/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [I've had the same barber since I was about 14 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-ve-had-the-same-barber-since-i-was-about-14-years-old/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) [Explore all 60 Victor Cruz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought I was this big athlete, and then I end up being just normal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Victor Cruz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my-past-who-thought-i-was-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my-past-who-thought-i-was-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/victor-cruz-11412_afraid_i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my_1060574.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was afraid I would see someone from my past who thought I was this big athlete, and then I end up being…” — Victor Cruz", "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": "Victor Cruz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was afraid I would see...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my-past-who-thought-i-was-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/i-was-afraid-i-would-see-someone-from-my-past-who-thought-i-was-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 } } ] } ```