---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Football is like life - it requires…"
description: "\"Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.\" — Vince Lombardi"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png"
---

#  Football is like life - it requires perseverance…

![“Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” quote by Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png)

> “Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.”

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Football mirrors life’s demands: perseverance, self‑discipline, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority are essential for success.

**In simple terms:** Football teaches life lessons.

Key Takeaway

Apply sports discipline to everyday challenges.

Themes

discipline perseverance teamwork respect

Mood

motivational determined

Type

sports philosophical

When to use this quote

- coaching a team
- career development
- personal fitness
- academic pursuits

Key Concepts

leadership effort sacrifice authority

Questions to Reflect On

- What areas of your life require more perseverance?
- How do you balance respect for authority with independent thinking?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on authority can stifle creativity; balance is needed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Dedication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedication/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-like/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Requires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-requires/) [Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance/) [Perseverance Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance-self-515834/) [Requires Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/requires-perseverance-515832/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Self denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-denial/)

## Related quotes

> [“football is like life - it requires perserverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-like-life-it-requires-perserverance-self-denial-hard-work/)

[vince lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-many-things-it-is-humility-because-it-behooves/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Mental toughness is Spartanism, with all its qualities of self-denial, sacrifice, dedication, fearlessness, and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-spartanism-with-all-its-qualities-of-self-denial/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Finding love requires perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-sylver/finding-love-requires-perseverance/)

[Marshall Sylver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-sylver/)

> [I'll admit that it's not easy to get an agent, but becoming successful in anything requires perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/i-ll-admit-that-it-s-not-easy-to-get-an-agent-but-becoming-successful/)

[Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/)

> [“Live the Life of Your Dreams When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/live-the-life-of-your-dreams-when-you-start-living-the-life-of-your/)

[Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/)

> [In perseverance, in self command, in forethought, in all virtues which conduce to success in life, the Scots have never been surpassed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-b-macaulay/in-perseverance-in-self-command-in-forethought-in-all-virtues-which/)

[Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/)

> [With the full realization that, in order to earn for ourselves any place in the sun, we must with perseverance and self-discipline work collectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-hay/with-the-full-realization-that-in-order-to-earn-for-ourselves-any/)

[Harry Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-hay/)

> [“When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/when-you-start-living-the-life-of-your-dreams-there-will-always-be/)

[Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/)

> [Success comes from curiosity, concentration, perseverance and self criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/success-comes-from-curiosity-concentration-perseverance-and-self/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [I can tell you character traits I admire and work to develop in myself - perseverance, self-discipline, courage to stand up for what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalia-mogahed/i-can-tell-you-character-traits-i-admire-and-work-to-develop-in/)

[Dalia Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalia-mogahed/)

> [The profile of a wealthy person is this hard work, perseverance, and most of all, self-discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/the-profile-of-a-wealthy-person-is-this-hard-work-perseverance-and/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [To succeed, we must have the will to succeed, we must have stamina, determination, backbone, perseverance, self-reliance, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/to-succeed-we-must-have-the-will-to-succeed-we-must-have-stamina/)

[B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/)

> [Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-many-things-and-rather-difficult-to-explain-its/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Character is the direct result of mental attitude. I believe that character is higher than the intellect. I believe that leadership is in sacrifice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/character-is-the-direct-result-of-mental-attitude-i-believe-that/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

## More by Vince Lombardi

> [Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/winning-is-a-habit-unfortunately-so-is-losing/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Brains without competitive hearts are rudderless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/brains-without-competitive-hearts-are-rudderless/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Every job is a self portrait of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/unless-you-try-to-do-something-beyond-what-you-have-already-mastered/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [They do not truly love who do not show their love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/they-do-not-truly-love-who-do-not-show-their-love/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [When you're tired, you rationalize. You make excuses in your mind. You say, "I'm too tired; I'm bushed; I can't do this; I'll loaf."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/when-you-re-tired-you-rationalize-you-make-excuses-in-your-mind-you/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-many-things-it-is-humility-because-it-behooves/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Winning is not the most important thing; it's everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/winning-is-not-the-most-important-thing-it-s-everything/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [The only true satisfaction a player receives is the satisfaction that comes from being part of a successful team, regardless of his personal accomplishments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/the-only-true-satisfaction-a-player-receives-is-the-satisfaction-that/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [ \[Football is\] a game that requires the constant conjuring of animosity. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-a-game-that-requires-the-constant-conjuring-of-animosity/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don't ever want to finish second again. There is a second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/i-have-finished-second-twice-in-my-time-at-green-bay-and-i-don-t-ever/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [They call it coaching but it is teaching. You do not just tell them...you show them the reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/they-call-it-coaching-but-it-is-teaching-you-do-not-just-tell-them/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/winning-is-not-everything-but-wanting-to-win-is/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [You never win a game unless you beat the guy in front of you. The score on the board doesn't mean a thing. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/you-never-win-a-game-unless-you-beat-the-guy-in-front-of-you-the/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-spartanism-with-qualities-of-sacrifice-self/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

> [I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/i-think-you-can-accomplish-anything-if-you-re-willing-to-pay-the-price/)

[Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

[Explore all 251 Vince Lombardi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/)

## More Authority quotes

> [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/)

[Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/)

> [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/)

[Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/)

> [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/)

[Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/)

> [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/)

[Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/)

> [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/)

[Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/)

> [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/)

[Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/)

> [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/)

[Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/)

> [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/)

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

> [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/)

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/)

> [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/)

[Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/)

> [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/)

[Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/)

> [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/)

[Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/)

> [Sometimes it's easier for people who are in authority to be authoritarian, because people know where you stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-streep/sometimes-it-s-easier-for-people-who-are-in-authority-to-be/)

[Meryl Streep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-streep/)

> [The victory of Hamas is not only based on the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has a vision and a program, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/the-victory-of-hamas-is-not-only-based-on-the-corruption-of-the/)

[Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/)

[Browse all 4,003 Authority quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Vince Lombardi"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-like-life-it-requires-perseverance-self-denial-hard-work/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Authority"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-like-life-it-requires-perseverance-self-denial-hard-work/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/vince-lombardi-1357_authority_football-is-like-life-it-requires-persev_826187.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect…” — Vince Lombardi",
                "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": "Vince Lombardi",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Football is like life - it...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-like-life-it-requires-perseverance-self-denial-hard-work/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-like-life-it-requires-perseverance-self-denial-hard-work/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
