For man, maximum excitement is the confrontation of death and the skillful defiance of it by watching others fed to read more

For man, maximum excitement is the confrontation of death and the skillful defiance of it by watching others fed to it as he survives transfixed with rapture.

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.

Men often compete with one another until the day they die; comradeship consists of rubbing shoulders jocularly with a competitor.

Men often compete with one another until the day they die; comradeship consists of rubbing shoulders jocularly with a competitor.

Are you any relation to your brother Marv?
(spoken to announcer Steve Albert)

Are you any relation to your brother Marv?
(spoken to announcer Steve Albert)

World records are only borrowed.

World records are only borrowed.

I'll always be Number 1 to myself.

I'll always be Number 1 to myself.

Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.

Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.

If I weren't earning $3 million a year to dunk a basketball, most people on the street would run in read more

If I weren't earning $3 million a year to dunk a basketball, most people on the street would run in the other direction if they saw me coming.

Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It's hard to stay on read more

Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It's hard to stay on top.