Welcome to our collection of inspirational and thought-provoking quotes by the legendary Jimmy Johnson. Jimmy Johnson is not just a name; he’s an emblem of resilience, determination, and success in the realm of American football. As a former player and esteemed coach in the NFL, Johnson’s words carry weight and wisdom that transcends the boundaries of the gridiron. Throughout his illustrious career, Johnson has offered pearls of wisdom that resonate not only with athletes but with anyone striving for excellence and striving to overcome obstacles in life. Whether it’s his profound insights on leadership, perseverance, or the pursuit of greatness, Jimmy Johnson’s quotes serve as a guiding light for those navigating the complexities of life’s journey. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of Jimmy Johnson’s most inspiring quotes, ready to be cherished, shared, and reflected upon.
Give people enough guidance to make the decisions you want them to make. Don’t tell them what to do, but encourage them to do what is best. Jimmy Johnson
In some ways ‘Survivor’ might have saved my life. Jimmy Johnson
I know as a coach and a player we had three a day practices and that was physically taxing but at least we had food in our stomach and a good nights rest and plenty of cold water. Jimmy Johnson
Elliott’s bigger, stronger, maybe even a step faster than Emmitt Smith, but they’re both very similar. I think, you know, Ezekiel Elliott is a more powerful runner. He runs over people. Both of ’em can make people miss, so you don’t really get a big shot on ’em. But Elliott will take on tacklers, whereas, you know, Emmitt never did this. Jimmy Johnson
How ’bout them Cowboys!? Jimmy Johnson
A head coach has to be able to oversee all facets of the team and of the game. Jimmy Johnson
I’ve heard all the coaches complaining about the new CBA rules limiting padded practice. I don’t like the reduction to just 15 padded practices during the season. When I coached, we always practiced in pads; and three days a week. Jimmy Johnson
I can’t confirm any rumors. I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I have no interest in going back to coaching. Jimmy Johnson
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be. Jimmy Johnson
You’ve got to make sure that every body’s putting in the work and you’ve got to have the discipline to go out there and get the job done. Jimmy Johnson
When I went to the Dolphins, we retained most of their coaching staff, and of course, we had a few veteran players. So, I just tried to add a few pieces here and there. Jimmy Johnson
Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great? Jimmy Johnson
There is a way to practice hard and be physical without pads. You can still be a physical football team and be efficient in practice without pads. The 49ers practiced like that for a long period of time in the 1980s under Bill Walsh and were extremely successful when all the other teams were practicing in pads. Jimmy Johnson
I’m not a bad man. Jimmy Johnson
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. Jimmy Johnson
I’ve seen every second of ‘Survivor’ since it started. Jimmy Johnson
I was the personnel director there with the Cowboys. Jimmy Johnson
An objective truth and individual reason are feared above all. Jimmy Johnson
Just following ‘Survivor’ over the years, sometimes if an individual is not a threat and he doesn’t rub anybody the wrong way and he can get into an alliance, he can hang out there for a while. Jimmy Johnson
But I was always a bit of a gypsy, anyway. I spent five years at Oklahoma State, five years at Miami and moved on after winning the national championship, and five years with the Cowboys. So, I was ready to move on. We won back-to-back Super Bowls, and I felt that I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. Jimmy Johnson
The only thing worse than a coach or CEO who doesn’t care about his people is one who pretends to care. People can spot a phony every time. Jimmy Johnson
Football rewards the guys that are in great condition. Jimmy Johnson
Football is such a team sport, so no one individual does it. No one coach or no one assistant coach or no one player, it’s a great team sport, so I don’t get carried away with a bunch of accolades. Jimmy Johnson
The other thing was that when I was at the University of Miami, we ran a pro-style offense and defense. I started each year by going to a pro training camp, I visited with various pro coaches, and I did this for five years. Jimmy Johnson
Like I always say, it’s not how many great plays you make; it’s how few bad ones you make. I know fans, and even some losing coaches, are enamored with long pass completions or the great run plays, but that doesn’t offset the interception or the fumble. Jimmy Johnson
With ‘Survivor’ – I didn’t get any sleep, there was no food, we had to boil our water… plus, it was physically taxing during the day. That’s what made it more difficult than three-a-day practices. Jimmy Johnson
I want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it. Jimmy Johnson
I don’t want to lose the feeling I have for players, but the pro system almost causes you to be cold and insensitive, when you have to release players yearly. Jimmy Johnson
I don’t miss a minute of ‘Survivor.’ Jimmy Johnson
Military leaders aren’t made. They are born. To be a good leader, you have to have something in your character to cause people to follow you. Jimmy Johnson
Anybody who has ever been around me knows I’ll give you my opinion. Jimmy Johnson
I’m not really good with predicting. Jimmy Johnson
A lot of coaches could ration out their time. They could delegate. They would make time for their family. But when I was coaching I would almost laugh at those guys. I knew we were working the extra hours to get an edge on them. Jimmy Johnson
Of all the programs, I watch sporting events live and I watch ‘Survivor’ live. Everything else I TiVo. Jimmy Johnson
And the main thing was that I wanted to live in south Florida. That’s why I left the Cowboys; to live in south Florida. Jimmy Johnson
I’m really impressed with Kolb there in Philadelphia. He’s a very talented quarterback. Jimmy Johnson
I think as far as any kind of pressure on a football team or on an individual in professional sports really depends not only on that individual but the leadership they have on the team and the leadership they have on the coaching staff. A lot of times, they can divert some of those pressures off of the individual and off of the team. Jimmy Johnson
In fact, one of the conversations I had with Jason Garrett, you know, sometimes X’s and O’s get so complicated, and a coach gets so into that that he forgets the most important thing is players win ballgames. Make sure that the players are properly equipped and motivated to do their jobs. Jimmy Johnson
You can’t really compare teams just because of two or three players. Jimmy Johnson
I think the biggest thing was that when I was in college, I really concentrated on personnel. That was my strength, and I was, in essence, my own recruiting coordinator. And when I went to the pros, I did the same thing. Jimmy Johnson
Two to three years down the road, other companies not on a model like Dell’s will be in trouble. Jimmy Johnson
You can’t be a sloppy football team and be successful in the NFL. Jimmy Johnson
I could start a fire from scratch. Jimmy Johnson
