David Lammy Quotes

I always wanted to meet Nelson Mandela, and I have friends who knew him, but I didn't get to meet Mandela. I always thought he was a spectacular character.

Obviously because of my personal connection to Mandela and having had his story as part of my childhood, I knew how awesome he was.

I met Nelson Mandela, and I really didn't know what to say. It was years ago at a benefit. I was just in awe of this man because of what he'd done.

One of my biggest regrets ever was not taking the time to go to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela. That is a big regret of mine. I should have figured out a way.

Whenever I am asked who I admire most among the leaders I have met, I have no hesitation in naming Nelson Mandela.

My father, to me, was 10 feet tall.

I would always compare myself with the best, and my dad is the best, and he's my idol, too.

The children of Qunu stood for hours on the side of a brand new stretch of highway as they waited for the hearse carrying Nelson Mandela to come into view.

Nelson Mandela is my hero outside of football. I was fortunate enough to meet him a couple of times. He was really clued up on his football and he knew me, so that was just unbelievable. It really stuck with me.

When you idolise someone, or you hold someone in such high regard, you just want them to be everything that you think there are - and when they are it's just lovely.

Have you ever felt the longing for someone you could admire? For something, not to look down at, but up to?

King Arthur was one of my heroes because he was such a marvelous, heroic, courageous, and magnificent person that I had to admire him even though I knew perfectly well that I could never be in any way like that.

I am inspired by Nelson Mandela. I was a volunteer teacher in South Africa during apartheid, where I witnessed his success liberating black South Africans.

Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.

I've always idolized Jay-Z He's one of my favorite persons, even before I knew him personally.

Every son needs his father to be a hero and my father is like a superhero!

Nelson Mandela's contribution to the people of South Africa has been immeasurable and I look forward to helping with his work all over the country.

Jack has two boys, and when they grow up they're gonna wanna be like the D. I've already got the name: Mini D.

My dad hit 152 home runs and that's the person I wanted to be like. My hero growing up.

From childhood, both my brother and I have had only one hero, and that's our dad.

I had one girl tell me last night that I'm the greatest thing ever, that she wants to aspire to be me. Just stuff like, 'You're my idol. I love you.' It's awesome. It's what it's all about.

Every time I see Leonardo DiCaprio in a movie, I'm like, 'Dude, you're awesome. I want to be just like you when I grow up.'

When I was a kid I used to look at Wes Brown. I loved him as a player.

It's hard not to question whether the harsh verdict of Winnie Mandela is a reflection of discomfort with women warriors or, more broadly, with the militant ethos that ultimately became a foil for the popularized representation of Nelson Mandela as the open-armed father of a non-racial nation.

I idolize my dad because he was such a hard worker.