Art Donovan Quotes

Powerful Art Donovan for Daily Growth

About Art Donovan

Art Donovan (December 13, 1928 – September 7, 2003) was an American professional football player, broadcaster, and author, best known for his exceptional career as a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Donovan excelled in various sports during his youth, but it was football that ultimately captivated him. After graduating from St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Maryland, Donovan enrolled at the United States Naval Academy, where he became a three-year letterman for the Midshipmen football team. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts as a first-round pick in 1953 and spent eleven seasons in the NFL, playing for the Colts (1953–60), New York Giants (1961), and San Diego Chargers (1962). Donovan is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history. He was a member of two NFL Championship teams with Baltimore (1958, 1959) and helped lead the Giants to an NFL title in 1961. In total, he earned six Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976. Upon retiring from football, Donovan turned his attention to broadcasting, working for CBS Sports and NBC as a commentator and analyst. He also penned several books, including "Fatso: An Autobiography" (1968) and "Football Is Like Life: You Must Act Accordingly" (1975). These works reflected his candid insights into the game of football and offered unique perspectives on life, sports, and leadership. Art Donovan's legacy extends beyond his athletic accomplishments. Known for his wit, charisma, and unwavering loyalty to teammates, he remains an iconic figure in Baltimore sports history and a beloved author whose words continue to resonate with readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, toughness, and respect for authority are the critical elements for achieving success."

This quote suggests that the values inherent to football – hard work, sacrifice, resilience, and adherence to authority – are also essential to personal success in life. The author implies that by applying these principles, one can achieve their goals, just as a team must do to win a game. Essentially, football serves as a metaphor for life, illustrating the importance of discipline, teamwork, and character development for achieving success on and off the field.


"There is only one way to be really satisfied with your job, and that is to outgrow it."

Art Donovan's quote suggests that genuine satisfaction in a job comes when an individual has advanced beyond their current position or responsibilities, indicative of personal growth and development. It implies that constant learning, mastering new skills, and taking on more challenging tasks are key to finding true fulfillment in one's career. This perspective encourages professionals to push themselves and strive for self-improvement instead of settling with the status quo.


"Champions keep playing until they get it right. That is how winners become champions."

This quote emphasizes the persistence, resilience, and unwavering dedication required to achieve greatness. Champions are individuals who refuse to quit, who continually strive for improvement and perfection in their craft. The process of becoming a champion involves numerous attempts and setbacks, but true champions do not let these obstacles deter them from their ultimate goal. They persist until they have mastered their skill or achieved the desired result, thus transforming themselves into champions through relentless effort and determination. In essence, this quote suggests that winners are made by never giving up on their dreams and continuously striving to improve, ultimately leading to a successful, champion-like outcome.


"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer of Hard Work."

This quote by Art Donovan suggests that there is no shortcut to achieving success, happiness, or fulfillment in life. The path to a comfortable or effortless situation (Easy Street) requires hard work and perseverance, much like having to navigate through the challenging, demanding, or unpleasant experiences associated with hard work (the sewer). In other words, one must be willing to put in the necessary effort and face obstacles to eventually reap the benefits.


"Every time I thought I was being paid too much, I went and made more money."

This quote suggests that Art Donovan believed in continuously pushing his own limits to earn more. He understood that personal growth and financial success often go hand-in-hand, encouraging hard work and self-improvement for increased earnings. It implies a mindset of ambition, resilience, and a drive to constantly strive for better opportunities rather than complacency.


I don't eat vegetables. I only eat food like cheeseburgers, Spam, hot dogs and pizza.

- Art Donovan

Hot, Vegetables, Like, Hot Dogs

Both sides of my family had come from Ireland in the 19th century for the same reason: There was nothing to eat over there. Since then, I've tried to make up for the potato famine by making the potato the only vegetable that passes these lips.

- Art Donovan

Reason, Both Sides, Had, Ireland

I went to college to play football, not to study it.

- Art Donovan

College, Play, Study, Play Football

The two saddest moments of my life were when my mother died and when I was told I couldn't play football for the Colts anymore.

- Art Donovan

My Life, Play, Died, Play Football

People tell me if I don't eat vegetables, I'm going to get scurvy. Well, what the hell. But I was never overweight as a player. There was a clause in my contract that said I had to weigh in at 270 every Friday morning. I always made it. I'd have dinner on Monday, and then I wouldn't eat until Friday.

- Art Donovan

Tell, Had, Weigh, Friday

I wouldn't want to go back over my life. I've done it all. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the Marine Corps. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the war. I wouldn't have missed college. Or playin' for the Colts. I got all the money I need. Five children. I got a truck. I have no regrets whatsoever.

- Art Donovan

College, My Life, No Regrets, Corps

I'm not like some guys who, if the Ravens lose, are ready to jump off the top of M&M Stadium. There are other things in life besides pro football.

- Art Donovan

Some, Other, Like, Stadium

I came to my first Colts training camp in July of 1950, and it was murder, absolute murder. We had a coach named Clem Crow who must have been nuts. You got to remember that I'd been a Marine, had gone through basic training and spent 26 months in the Pacific during WWII, but the Marine drill instructors had nothing on Clem.

- Art Donovan

Through, Been, Named, Camp

You know you're big when you sit in the bathtub and the water in the toilet rises.

- Art Donovan

Big, Know, Toilet, Bathtub

Broke my femur on a cruise with my wife in Italy. I'd walked back to my cabin after dinner with half a plate of spaghetti when I leaned in to open the door. Turns out it was already open, so I fell flat on my face like something from the Keystone Kops.

- Art Donovan

Door, Spaghetti, Half, Keystone

I tell people Baltimore is lucky to be rid of the Colts, they're so lousy, but I don't mean it.

- Art Donovan

Lucky, Mean, Baltimore, Lousy

I guess telling stories is an art. I never looked at it that way. I just started talking, and everyone started laughing. So I kept talking, and they kept laughing.

- Art Donovan

Art, Stories, Telling, Laughing

I was 17 pounds when I was born. My mother couldn't walk for three weeks.

- Art Donovan

Mother, I Was Born, Weeks, Pounds

I have no ax to grind. I was lucky. I played. How many guys play high school, college football never play pro football?

- Art Donovan

College, Play, Lucky, Grind

There's a lady up in heaven who must be very proud of the way the people in Baltimore have treated her boy from the Bronx.

- Art Donovan

Proud, Treated, Very, Heaven

I never met a cold cut I didn't like.

- Art Donovan

Never, Like, Cut, Cold

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