Jarome Iginla Quotes

I grew up a Michael Jordan fan; that was my first idol. But my true sports idol was Deion Sanders: he was the person I always wanted to be. I wanted to play two sports professionally, which would never happen, but to me, that was every kid's dream.

I always wished I had a chance to meet an NFL player or even a college player when I was growing up in Los Angeles.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a professional hockey player.

By that time I was thinking a little about pro ball and hopeful that someone would draft me.

Until my senior year, baseball and basketball were my best sports; and even when I was a senior, I still wanted to play baseball professionally. But the family wanted me to go to college, and I guess I agreed with them, or else I would have accepted some of the offers I got.

Our whole family had been sports oriented. My dad had played a lot of semipro but never had any opportunity to do anything with it. Back then, he had to make a living.

I thought at first I was going to be an NFL quarterback. I played until I was a freshman in high school.

I came to England because I thought it would help me to get back in the Brazilian national team.

I thought I was going to be a footballer or a boxer or something like that - I was into sports.

As a kid growing up in Canton, Ohio, you never see yourself in a position to play in the NBA, much less have somebody pay you to wear shoes.

Being out there, as a 22-year-old, it opens your eyes up to the highest level of the sport. It can only do good things.

It was a privilege to work with world-class coaches and fantastic players.

Things for me really started to click right after my third year in the league. I sort of figured out that there were a few things that I needed to do if I wanted to get better - I needed to gain some more weight and add some strength.

I had dreams of being a professional rugby player.

We have to get to a point in this country where our top players are seeking out the most challenging environments.

I always knew and my parents always knew I was destined for greatness. I didn't know what sport it was going to be in. I played football, baseball and wrestling.

In every sector of business, it's really hard to build something where you can get on a good run. In sports, it's even harder because you only have a small window for an athletic career.

I think that sports, particularly football, gave me an opportunity to be out front, to be a leader, which helped me later on, when I got into politics.

Since I was a kid, I've wanted to do sports for a living. In the beginning, I played a lot of soccer, but in the end I chose tennis. I love sports in general ... But tennis is my passion.

I think rap was a better move for me but football's been my love since I learned how to walk. I was gonna be a running back or quarterback. That was my life. That was it but things happen for a reason. I wouldn't trade this in for nothing.

I've gotten to watch a lot of football games. Growing up, watching sports, watching people compete, whether it's my brothers or teammates. I grew up observing and taking it all in. It's kind of my attitude.

Given a full summer to practice basketball, and especially my jump shot, I know that I could play in the NBA and do well.

It was tough getting fired by the NBA. I really didn't know where I was going, until [ESPN] called me. I said, "Hey, 'ESPN?' Never heard of it. It sounds like a disease." Now I have that same disease as a sports fanatic. All this sports madness we didn't have years ago, now I'm very blessed and fortunate to be part of it.

Basketball isn't my job.

I've got a couple of years until I turn pro so I guess within that period hopefully I'll be able to get a little bit better.