- I think he was the greatest football player that I ever stepped on the field against. Nobody dictated what you could do offensively like L.T.. — Retired Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Steve Bartkowski, on New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor
- Vince Young is the greatest quarterback to ever play college football. — College and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott, in consideration of Young's play in the 2006 Rose Bowl Game
- Every time a football player goes to ply his trade he's got to play from the ground up—from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play...If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second. — Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi, on the import of a player's having intellect and passion
- Playing football is obviously very strenuous. It's exhausting. You have to try very hard in football. But there's no heroic risk involved. — American writer Gregg Easterbrook, on the consideration of professional football players as heroes
- I don't understand American football at all. It looks like all-in wrestling with crash helmets. — English musician Sting, on the brutal and physical quality of American football, especially as against that of association football
