Odds-n-Ends . Volume 09 | Issue 05

Which Great Speech Gets Your Attention?

The University of Florida has claimed that Tim Tebow’s famous speech during the 2008-2009 football season will long be remembered in Gainesville. But does it rank with some of the greatest sports speeches of all time? Here are some of the nominations on gameon.usatoday.com:

  • Knute Rockne’s “Win one for the Gipper” at Notre Dame.
  • Lou Gehrig’s “I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth” farewell speech in 1939.
  • Herb Brooks’ solemn pep talk before the 1980 Miracle on Ice game, when he told the U.S. Olympic team, “Great moments are born of great opportunity…Tonight we are the best hockey team of all-time.”
  • Vince Lombardi’s “No. 1” speech, where he tells the Packers, “There is a second-place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers.”
  • Jim Valvano imploring the 1993 ESPY Awards crowd, “Don’t give up! Don’t ever give up!”