Adam Goodes Quotes, born January 8, 1980, in Wallaroo, South Australia, is an Australian former professional Australian rules footballer and Indigenous rights activist, celebrated as one of the greatest players in Australian Football League (AFL) history. A Sydney Swans legend, he played 372 games, won two premierships (2005, 2012), and secured two Brownlow Medals (2003, 2006) as the league’s best and fairest player. Named Australian of the Year in 2014 for his advocacy against racism, Goodes faced intense racial abuse, leading to his retirement in 2015, as documented in The Final Quarter and The Australian Dream (2019). Now, he works with the GO Foundation to support Indigenous youth education.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his interviews, documentaries, posts on X, and public statements—reflect his wisdom on racism, Indigenous pride, resilience, and leadership, capturing his unwavering courage and Aboriginal heritage.
15 Adam Goodes Quotes
- “If people only remember me for my football, I’ve failed in life. I live by that quote.” (Interview, The Age, 2015)
- “Growing up, I knew I was different. But I didn’t know what it meant to be Aboriginal. I just knew that I had a really big, extended family.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The football field was a place where I could express myself and just be me. Play the game as well as you can and that’s what you’re judged on. Not the colour of your skin.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I’m not afraid of confrontation. It doesn’t have to be an argument. We all have a voice. And they are all worth listening to.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “You know obviously my stand on racism is that it’s unacceptable and that we should always stand up to it.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “When you’re part of a team, you stand up for your teammates. Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to trust yourself.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “My mum taught me to treat people the way I want to be treated.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I used to be ashamed of who I was because of what other people thought about me. But when you learn about your culture, you start being proud of who you are.” (Interview, elevatesociety.com, 2023)
- “It’s just a little bit of inspiration from the under 16’s Boomerang kids who taught us a little bit of a war cry, so just a little tribute to those guys.” (Interview, The Final Quarter, 2019)
- “Racism is a community issue which we all need to address. And it’s not until we do address it as a collective group that we’re going to end racism.” (Interview, elevatesociety.com, 2023)
- “The best thing that I did was get myself out of an environment that was toxic to me and to my mental health. That was through retiring from football.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I think the biggest thing for me is to be a role model for my community, for young Indigenous kids.” (Interview, elevatesociety.com, 2023)
- “You can’t let success go to your head or failure go to your heart.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “I’m very proud of who I am and where I come from.” (Interview, elevatesociety.com, 2023)
Adam Goodes’s quotes are a stirring blend of courage, cultural pride, and relentless advocacy, inspiring fans to stand up against injustice, embrace their identity, and lead with heart. Which one’s got you ready to make a difference? Drop it in the comments and keep Goodes’s legacy soaring!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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