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Football is a game of teamwork, dedication, and passion. It teaches kids important life lessons like resilience, how to handle challenges, and the power of working together toward a common goal.
In this blog, we share a collection of football quotes for kids that inspire children to love the game, work hard, and play with heart. Whether they’re learning the rules or scoring a touchdown, these quotes will motivate them to push through challenges and enjoy the thrill of the sport.
Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Football
Teaching kids about football helps them develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Through playing football, kids learn how to work together toward a common goal, handle setbacks, and push through challenges. It also teaches them the value of hard work and the importance of practice. Football encourages kids to stay active, build confidence, and appreciate the power of sportsmanship, both on and off the field. By teaching kids about football, we help them develop physical fitness, mental toughness, and strong social skills, all of which contribute to their growth and success in life.
11 Football Quotes for Kids
1. “Football is like life. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority.” – Vince Lombardi
Life and sports share important values.
Lombardi compares football to life, showing that success in both comes from traits like persistence, teamwork, and respect.
Teaches life skills like effort, humility, and discipline.
Journal Prompt: What is something in your life that requires hard work?
2. “Football is a game you cannot play without making mistakes.” – Jürgen Klopp
Mistakes are part of the game.
Klopp reminds us that errors are normal and necessary for growth. In football and in life, you learn by trying—even if you mess up.
Encourages resilience and learning through failure.
Journal Prompt: What’s a mistake you’ve made that helped you learn something?
3. “When you lose, talk little. When you win, talk less.” – Tom Brady
Stay humble no matter the outcome.
Brady emphasizes the importance of humility—don’t brag when you win, and don’t complain when you lose. Let your actions speak louder than words.
Teaches sportsmanship and emotional maturity.
Journal Prompt: What does it mean to be a good sport?
4. “The only place that ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi
Work comes before success.
Lombardi cleverly points out that in real life, success follows effort—there’s no shortcut.
Encourages work ethic and setting goals.
Journal Prompt: What is a goal you’re working hard to achieve?
5. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” – Archie Griffin
Determination beats size.
This quote reminds us that strength comes from heart, not height or size. It’s about effort and spirit.
Empowers those who may feel underestimated.
Journal Prompt: When have you surprised yourself with your determination?
6. “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” – Henry Russell “Red” Sanders
Focus on excellence and giving your all.
This intense quote promotes a mindset of full effort and commitment—but it’s best understood as encouragement to care deeply about your work.
Encourages striving for excellence (with balance).
Journal Prompt: What does “giving it your all” mean to you?
7. “You can learn a line from a win and a book from a defeat.” – Paul Brown
We learn more from failure.
Brown shares that losing teaches bigger lessons than winning—it gives us depth, understanding, and growth.
Encourages a growth mindset.
Journal Prompt: What’s a tough moment that taught you something?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
8. “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.” – Bill Shankly
Football is deeply meaningful.
This humorous quote shows the passion people feel for the game—it teaches identity, teamwork, and pride.
Highlights the importance of passion and dedication.
Journal Prompt: What’s something you care about deeply?
9. “If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great.” – J.J. Watt
Effort equals outcome.
This quote stresses that you can’t achieve greatness without going above and beyond.
Encourages a strong work ethic and going the extra mile.
Journal Prompt: What does it mean to go “above and beyond”?
10. “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans always win.” – Gary Lineker
A funny take on predictability.
This witty quote reflects the humor and patterns seen in sports—but also reminds us that effort and performance often speak for themselves.
Adds humor while reinforcing that preparation often leads to success.
Journal Prompt: How can preparation give you a better chance of success?
11. “The ball is round, the game lasts ninety minutes, and everything else is just theory.” – Sepp Herberger
Anything can happen.
This quote emphasizes the unpredictability of sports—and life. You can plan all you want, but when the game starts, it’s all about action.
Encourages flexibility and presence in the moment.
Journal Prompt: How do you handle surprises or changes?
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Ways to Use These Quotes
- Football Motivation Boards: After reading a football quote for kids, encourage children to create a motivation board where they can write or draw inspiring quotes, goals, and favorite football memories. This helps them visualize their growth as players and stay focused on their journey.
- Teamwork Activities: Share a football quote for kids to inspire a team-building activity. Have kids work together to complete a challenge, whether it’s a passing drill or a fun group task. Use the quote to highlight the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
- Football Mindset Journals: After each practice or game, encourage kids to write down their thoughts, feelings, and any lessons they learned. Share a football quote for kids to guide them in reflecting on their performance, what went well, and what they can improve.
- Football Role-Playing: Use a football quote for kids to start a role-playing activity where children pretend to be a famous football player or coach. They can practice football moves, team strategies, and leadership skills while discussing the values of the game.
- Football Memory Sharing: Ask kids to share their favorite football memories, whether it’s a great play, a fun practice session, or a moment they’re proud of. Use a football quote for kids to inspire them to reflect on their experiences and see the growth they’ve made.
- Football Goals Setting: Share a football quote for kids and have kids set their football-related goals, such as improving their passing accuracy or learning a new move. Encourage them to track their progress and work toward achieving their goals.
Additional Resources
Football Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Football Activities For Kids
- Football Skills Challenge: Share a football quote for kids and create a skills challenge where kids can practice dribbling, passing, and shooting. Set up fun obstacles or drills to help improve their skills while encouraging them to give their best effort.
- Football Trivia Game: After reading a football quote for kids, play a football trivia game where kids can answer questions about the sport, famous players, and key facts about football history. This activity helps them learn more about the sport while having fun.
- Football Relay Race: Create a relay race where kids work together to complete football-related tasks, like running with the ball, passing to teammates, or performing certain footwork drills. Share a football quote for kids to encourage friendly competition and teamwork.
- Football Art and Craft: After reading a football quote for kids, have kids create their own football gear or team posters. They can design their own team logo, jerseys, or football fields to get their creative juices flowing while learning about the sport.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Encourage Regular Practice: Help your child understand the importance of practice in becoming a better player. Use a football quote for kids to remind them that consistent effort leads to improvement and success.
- Watch Games Together: If possible, watch football games together—whether it’s a professional game or a local school match. Use a football quote for kids to spark conversation about teamwork, strategies, and the fun of the game.
- Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate milestones in your child’s football journey, whether they’ve learned a new skill, scored their first touchdown, or simply had a great practice. Share a football quote for kids to help them reflect on their growth and accomplishments.
What’s Your Favorite Football Quote?
Football is more than just a sport; it’s a journey of growth, teamwork, and personal achievement. The football quotes for kids shared today inspire us to work hard, believe in ourselves, and enjoy the game, no matter the challenges we face. Let’s continue to encourage kids to play with passion, chase their dreams, and always remember that success comes from effort and perseverance.
What is your favorite Football Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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