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CLIP REEL: CLASSIC SPEECHES

Gene Hackman and Lou Gehrig, on one list.

by Ted Bauer

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Some fairly emotional words followed.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the "Win one for the Gipper!" speech delivered by Knute Rockne. Seemed a good time to scroll back through sports history and look at some of the most memorable and relevant soundbites. If you're unfocused at work today [Ed's note: raising hand], this is a good motivational force.

The Gehrig speech.
Pete Rose and Jim Gray.
"And with the No. 3 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select..."
Valvano at the ESPY Awards.
Favre's "retirement" speech.
"Peace by Inches"
Hoosiers
"With the first pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select..."
Knute Rocke speech.
Anything John Wooden says is pretty cool.
Agassi inducts Steffi Graf into the Tennis HOF.
Joe Paterno enters the College Football HOF.
Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame speech. Emotional.
Jim Kelly's HOF speech.
Cuba Gooding Jr. after winning his Oscar for Jerry Maguire.
A good summary of quotes from sports movies.
A good list of motivational sports quotes from pro athletes.
Michael Jordan on failure.
Not about sports but could be: the "I Have a Dream" speech.
Ogden's retirement speech was actually fairly emotive.
Elway's too.
Brian Leetch saying goodbye was huge for NY.
Bourque's emotional about getting that first Cup.
Garnett with Michelle Tafoya last June.
Pat Croce giving a motivational speech. Odd.
One list of the best coaches in history. All these dudes know how to speak words of import.
Might as well include a Lou Holtz pep talk in here.
For people that don't like him (we do): Belichick after losing the Super Bowl.
Friday Night Lights halftime speech.
Jordan's first retirement speech.
Maybe the most emotional Jordan speech of 'em all.


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