Athletic Role Model Quotes

I've modeled my game after Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.

I always enjoy watching Derek Jeter play because he is a model of consistency both in the field and at the plate. I finished my career with 3,110 hits, and I have only admiration and respect for Derek. I hope he pauses to admire the view and keeps going. Just one more achievement in an incredible career.

Julius Peppers is a beast, man. I don't know how many pounds he outweighs me by... I still try to do things like him to make my game better.

I'm not paid to be a role model. I'm paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court.

I played sometimes about as dull as you can play it. I did things the right way, you know. I think I modeled my playing ability after one of the all time greats, Joe DiMaggio. You always found Joe, when he played, you know, he always threw to the right base. He ran, he caught the ball. He did all the right things. He was an idol of mine in the outfield. He played the game the way it was supposed to be played.

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.

When I was in high school, there's no doubt I was trying to swing like Tiger Woods when he first came on tour.

Coming up as a kid, I played middle linebacker and I was very bow-legged, and I wanted to be like the legendary Dick Butkus.

Iniesta is my ideal player. I've watched him throughout my career and hoped to be like him. It's fun to watch him play and that's the kind of football I'd like to play.

I wish Kylian to have the same career as Thierry Henry.

I used to imagine what it would be like to do what Jim Brown was doing. I used to imagine what it would be like to be like a Tony Dorsett. I used to imagine what it would be like to be like a Walter Payton. I was imagining Emmitt Smith doing exactly what they were doing.

I didn't play receiver my whole life. I played running back, and I liked a bunch of running backs coming up, but I never tried to emulate them.

For me, the most important thing is to continue to play well and to be a positive figure and hopefully a role model for kids as well.