To have a platform to make a difference ultimately, which is what I want to do with my life, we've got to win football games. When you're highly paid and you're losing, no one really cares what you have to say.
This quote highlights the importance of success and acknowledgment in the realm of public influence. It suggests that regardless of an individual's intentions or the value of their voice, societal and media attention tends to favor those who achieve visible results. As a professional athlete, the speaker recognizes that wealth and fame can be conditional upon performance; when winning, their opinions and actions garner respect and influence. Conversely, in losing situations, their authority diminishes, implying that public perception is heavily skewed by tangible achievements. This reflects a broader truth in many competitive and high-profile careers: the platform to effect change and be heard is often wielded by those who succeed. It brings into focus the interplay between success, influence, and societal relevance, emphasizing that to truly make an impact, one must master the fundamentals—in this case, winning games. This also raises deeper questions about accountability, the value placed on words versus actions, and the societal tendency to measure worth through achievement rather than intent. Ultimately, the quote underscores the pragmatic reality that recognition and influence are often heavily dependent on performance, a concept that resonates across various fields beyond sports, including politics, entertainment, and business.