One of the best things about sports are the Cinderella stories, the underdogs, and the teams that win against all odds. These stories are so inspiring that Disney regularly makes movies about them, including “Rudy” and “Miracle on Ice.” Unfortunately, for many kids they have already written off their chances for success due to their below average size, speed, and strength. The good news is there is still hope and opportunity to help kids see that it really is “the size of the fight in the dog, and not the size of the dog in the fight” when it comes to getting the most from what you have in life. Mental toughness is often the difference, and can often make up for physical limitations and disadvantages. This week I would like to revisit a few of my favorite athletes who overcame all the reasons why they should not be successful — yet still turned out to be quite amazing.
Below is a list of athletes who overcame significant physical limitations—whether it was size, speed, strength, or perceived athleticism—and still achieved greatness. These individuals defied expectations and proved that mental toughness, intelligence, heart, and work ethic can beat other athletes with better measurables:
Allen Iverson (NBA)
Doug Flutie (NFL)
Obstacle: Only 5’10”, considered too small for an NFL quarterback.
Success: Won the Heisman Trophy, had a successful pro career including the famous “Flutie Hail Mary,” and played over 20 years in the CFL and NFL combined.
José Altuve (MLB)
Obstacle: Only 5’6″, was told multiple times he was too small to play professional baseball.
Success: AL MVP, multiple-time All-Star, World Series champion, and widely respected as one of the best contact hitters of his generation.
Spud Webb (NBA)
Obstacle: Just 5’7” in a sport where height is crucial.
Success: Won the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, had a solid NBA career, and became a symbol of what determination can achieve.
Rudy Ruettiger (College Football, Notre Dame)
Obstacle: Undersized (5’6″, ~165 lbs), lacked elite athleticism, and had dyslexia.
Success: Fought his way onto the Notre Dame team as a walk-on and famously got to play in a game. His story inspired the iconic movie Rudy.
Steve Nash (NBA)
Obstacle: Lacked elite speed, vertical leap, or physical strength.
Success: 8-time All-Star, 7 time All-NBA, 2-time NBA MVP, known for his intelligence, vision, and leadership as a point guard.
Wes Welker (NFL)
Obstacle: Considered too small and slow for the NFL (5’9″, undrafted).
Success: Became one of the most productive slot receivers in NFL history and a key piece in multiple playoff runs.
Dustin Pedroia (MLB)
Obstacle: Undersized second baseman (5’9”), doubted at every level.
Success: AL MVP, 4-time All-Star, 2-time World Series champion. Known for his grit and elite fielding.
Muggsy Bogues (NBA)
Obstacle: At 5’3”, he is the shortest player in NBA history.
Success: Played 14 seasons in the NBA and was a starting point guard, known for his defense and court vision.
The athletes listed above all went on to do amazing things in sports, things that few people thought possible. Without even knowing them personally, we can safely assume they were all told time and time again to forget about making it in sports — too small, too short, not fast enough, etc. Fortunately, none of them listened to the critics and all of them can now look back at their amazing accomplishments that serve as a reminder to all kids that just about anything is possible if you work at it.
Final thoughts
Kids often talk themselves out of success before they have even given themselves a chance for success. Negative self-talk, pessimism, and hopelessness are easy, but what happens when kids refuse to quit and instead really believe in themselves? If you ask the athletes described above, they would likely tell you that all kinds of incredible things really can happen! If you are a parent, teacher, or coach, the next time a kid begins a sentence with “I can’t…” challenge him or her to explain why? Success isn’t always easy, but you might be surprised to learn that it is possible, even in the most unimaginable situations. Inspire kids to do their best, and give them examples of amazing people that came before them and do so much, with seemingly so little.
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