Don't  you hate excuses?  I can't stand them, and the older I get, the less tolerant I am.  I can't stand it when someone strikes out or loses a game and blames it on the umpire because of a bad call.  Or when they miss a fly ball and blame it on the wind or sun.  Things like that. 

The same thing goes in business.  Our price is too high, she won't buy from a man, they have a better product than we do, I didn't have enough time.  Excuses drive me nuts.

Here are some quotes I hope you enjoy from former players and coaches that share the same tolerance with excuses as me.  I hope you enjoy.

We tell our players that if they are going to point a finger, to point it at the mirror.  The attitude has to be, "If we are not winning, it is my fault"


Chuck Knoll - Former NFL Coach


We don't go for the injury bit or the sick bit.  We win or we lose, that's all.

Al McGuire - Former College Basketball Coach, Sports Broadcaster




When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry, don't complain - just hit the dry side like I do.

Stan Musial - Former Major League Outfielder


This is my favorite.  This should the thought of every coach in every sport, and every manager in any business. 

Don't get me wrong.  I don't like to lose.  I think I take a loss as hard as any other coach and a lot harder than I hope my players take it.  If we lose, it's my fault.  That's my responsibility as the head coach.  I don't brood over a game, but I do second-guess myself, analyzing where I made my mistakes.  After all, I have more control of the game than the players.  I have to prepare them.  I have to design the game plan.  I run the game from the sidelines.  Sure, the players on the field do or don't make the big play, but it's my job to give them the tools to win.

Joe Paterno - Penn State Head Football Coach