Roger Staubach Quotes

Powerful Roger Staubach for Daily Growth

About Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach, born on February 5, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was not just a legendary American football quarterback but also an accomplished author who penned several inspiring books. His football career, spanning over a decade, saw him lead the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories and earn numerous accolades, including the Super Bowl MVP award in 1972. Staubach's journey to stardom was not conventional. He served as an ensign in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1969, playing for the service's football team during this period. It was here that he honed his skills and developed his legendary composure under pressure. Post-retirement from professional sports, Staubach turned his attention to business, co-founding The Staubach Company, a commercial real estate firm. He also delved into the literary world, authoring several books that drew upon his experiences both on and off the field. One of his most notable works, "Roger Staubach's Quarterback Guide" (1978), offers insightful strategies for successful quarterback play. Another book, "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over: The Autobiography of Roger Staubach" (1990), shares stories from his life and career, offering lessons in leadership, perseverance, and faith. Staubach's influence extends beyond sports and literature. He is renowned for his philanthropy, particularly in support of military families and education. His quotes reflect his belief in the power of hard work, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude, even in adversity. A quote that encapsulates this ethos is, "The difference between winning and losing is not quitting." In summary, Roger Staubach's life journey spans from sports stardom to business success, authorship, and philanthropy. His quotes continue to inspire, embodying resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in oneself.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's having the will to prepare to win that sets people apart."

This quote emphasizes that while everyone desires victory, what truly differentiates successful individuals is their unwavering dedication to preparation. Winning isn't solely about the desire for success but rather the commitment to work diligently towards it. The willingness to invest time and effort in learning, training, and strategizing before taking on challenges sets winners apart from others. Preparation fosters confidence, improves skills, and increases the likelihood of achieving one's goals, making it a crucial aspect of success in any endeavor.


"When I retire, I want to be remembered as a good father, husband, and friend first, and a great football player second."

This quote by Roger Staubach indicates his values prioritize personal relationships over professional accomplishments. He wishes to be appreciated primarily for being a loving father, a devoted husband, and a trustworthy friend before being recognized as a brilliant football player. It reflects a well-rounded individual who recognizes the importance of building strong connections in life beyond one's career.


"You can't sit around and wait for things to happen to you. You've got to get out there and make them happen."

This quote emphasizes proactive behavior and self-determination. It suggests that success does not come by passively waiting for opportunities, but rather by actively pursuing and creating those opportunities. In other words, it encourages individuals to take control of their lives, seize initiatives, and make things happen instead of merely expecting them to occur.


"I always tried to do the right things on and off the field because I knew I was representing the Cowboys, and I wanted to be a good example for young people."

Roger Staubach's quote emphasizes his commitment to both personal integrity and team representation. He understood that as a professional athlete, he served not only as a player but also as a role model for younger generations. By striving to do the right things on and off the field, he underscored the importance of upholding high moral standards, demonstrating the value of character over mere athletic achievement. This quote can be insightful in both sports and life contexts, encouraging individuals to strive for excellence in all aspects, recognizing that their actions influence others positively or negatively.


"Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is."

This quote by Roger Staubach highlights the importance of desire, determination, and passion in achieving success, rather than merely focusing on the outcome itself - winning. It suggests that having a strong desire to win (or succeed) is crucial, as it drives individuals to put in effort, learn from mistakes, adapt strategies, and strive for improvement. While winning is an attractive goal, it's the relentless pursuit of victory fueled by our passion that truly makes us successful.


It was not a friendly game, and Jerry certainly did not have friendliness in his eyes. He had an extra mean streak that day. He was out of control and probably should have been ejected.

- Roger Staubach

Game, Been, Certainly, Streak

If NASCAR racing gets any more exciting, I may not be able to stand it.

- Roger Staubach

Racing, May, NASCAR, I May Not

Nothing good comes in life or athletics unless a lot of hard work has preceded the effort. Only temporary success is achieved by taking short cuts.

- Roger Staubach

Work, Temporary, Success Is, Cuts

Football teaches you hard work. It takes a lot of unspectacular preparation to have spectacular results in both business and football.

- Roger Staubach

Work, Business, Football, Spectacular

I didn't make enough money in my sport to retire.

- Roger Staubach

Money, Enough, Enough Money, Retire

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

- Roger Staubach

Extra Mile, Along, Mile, Extra

As a part owner, I'm going to be not only an admirer... but a nervous wreck.

- Roger Staubach

Going, Owner, Wreck, Admirer

There's always something special when the service academies play each other that's not in any other game. This is not a regular game, and everyone involved knows that.

- Roger Staubach

Play, Always, Other, Something Special

In the commercial real estate business, brokers spearhead major accounts. But they wouldn't have customers without the people who oversee construction.

- Roger Staubach

Business, Commercial, Estate, Accounts

I'm excited about being an owner, it's got my competitive juices going. I'm scared, but excited as well.

- Roger Staubach

Excited, Going, Owner, Scared

At a car dealership, the person who sells the car is the hero, and also gets the commission. But if the mechanics don't service that car well, the customer won't return.

- Roger Staubach

Hero, Sells, Also, Commission

In any team sport, the best teams have consistency and chemistry.

- Roger Staubach

Best, Chemistry, Teams, Team Sport

Discrimination is a disease.

- Roger Staubach

Disease, Discrimination

I have a lot to learn about NASCAR. But I've learned if you have the right people in the right places doing the right things, you can be successful at whatever you do.

- Roger Staubach

Learn, Doing, Learned, Right People

I was fortunate that I was an only child. I had two parents who I really cared about, and they cared about me, so I got off to a good start.

- Roger Staubach

Start, About, Had, Only Child

There are a lot of people who touch the customer.

- Roger Staubach

People, Touch, Lot, Customer

I hate to admit that. I want to win every race, but I know that's not possible. To be in the top 25 is realistic if we have any luck this year. But anything to be in the chase or something like that is very unrealistic.

- Roger Staubach

Luck, Race, Very, Realistic

In racing, we have a better chance of it happening quicker because we have attracted good people to come to work for us. It's the beginning of a great adventure, and we're looking forward to it.

- Roger Staubach

Beginning, Chance, Racing, Happening

At our company, our Design and Construction Consulting Service Team not only helps eliminate the risks inherent in the construction process, they typically save our clients 5% - 10% on overall construction costs. They also help make sure projects come in on time.

- Roger Staubach

Clients, Projects, Save, Inherent

Service football is extremely respectable and very competitive. They've won some big games.

- Roger Staubach

Big, Some, Very, Football

Confidence comes from hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.

- Roger Staubach

Hours, Constant, Weeks, Days

Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.

- Roger Staubach

Hours, Constant, Weeks, Days

It's okay to have personal ambitions, but you have to take someone with you.

- Roger Staubach

Someone, Okay, Take, Ambition

I've always tried to balance my life with what is good for me but also keeping in mind how it affects somebody else.

- Roger Staubach

Mind, My Life, Always, Balance

Even though they are paid differently, everyone has to feel appreciated.

- Roger Staubach

Differently, Though, Even, Appreciated

Winning isn't getting ahead of others. It's getting ahead of yourself.

- Roger Staubach

Winning, Yourself, Ahead, Getting

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