Sporting Experience Quotes

I remember my England debut, in 2002. It came in Jersey, in a triangular tournament with New Zealand and India. To say that it did not generate great local interest is putting it mildly: our first game, against India, attracted a handful of spectators.

Of course it's special when you play against a team you represented for six or seven years.

Playing football in San Francisco was almost a transcendental experience.

An NBA game in L.A., the Lakers - I'm a Clipper fan - it's to be seen as much as seeing the game.

I played number 6 in rugby league so I had the ball quite a lot. I tried to make the plays, so you are in the action.

Four years ago, I felt the importance of the Olympics and how it is different from other events. It's a completely different atmosphere. The main advice I can give my teammates is to try to enjoy the experience.

Soccer matches should be something special, something people eagerly look forward to, something that brightens life.

I played softball. I was on an all-star team. I traveled with the team. I loved it.

Lacrosse is probably the best sport I ever played.

I've been around tennis, and I have a feeling for the sport. I still play tennis, and I can still do a lot of harm to a lot of people.

The time I've spent in professional Premiership club rugby has been invaluable.

Cricket, the whole thing, playing, watching, being part of the Gaieties, has been a central feature of my life.

Sport used to play a phenomenal part in my life, because I used to play a lot of county sport, a lot of sport for my school. I love team sports. Talk about being with the boys. I love the camaraderie. That's why I like acting.

Of course I would have liked to have played at the World Cup, but I achieved so much in my career as a footballer that I can't have any complaints.

No matter how much cardio you do - running or biking or whatever - it's never the same as being in the ring.

Football's been such a part of my life. It's allowed me to meet so many people and do so many things.

It's special - when you start playing, you are aware of names like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie; you have seen them playing and know what great players they are. So it's fantastic to have a chance to line up with them. I'm really pleased with how that understanding has started off.

Wrestling is something that nothing else can replace for me.

The whole AFL experience was important for me not only as an athlete but as a person.

I have never really been satisfied by the easily scored goal.

The fans pay good money to watch their team, so they are entitled to their opinion.

I played in the Premier League for Blackpool and earned the right to go to a club like Liverpool.

Being an athlete helps me get those grandiose emotions of pleasure and pain that are involved in sports.

I liked soccer. I played it for two years.

With time, I've got more used to grass, and I think my style of game helps.