Motivational Speech

During my senior season my coach was talking to the team after practice the night before the conference tournament.  He wanted us to be focused and ready to wrestle.  Then he asked if anyone had anything to to say.  It was quiet for a few moments and I said, "I have something to say coach."

Then I said, "Tomorrow is the conference tournament and we are going to dominate.  When we face our opponents tomorrow, we are going to show them what a Postville wrestler is made of.  Strength! Dedication! Determination!  I know this because I know that no one works harder than an Postville wrestler.  Some of you may be hungry.  Some of you may be tired or in pain but you do not stop.  You are not content!  You are are relentless!  When an opponent meets a Postville wrestler he knows he is in for a battle.  A Postville wrestler is not just working to be the best in the conference but the best in the state.  We proudly wear the red and black to represent Postville High.  A Postville wrestler will not quit, will not let up, will not stop until he has wrestled his absolute best!  I know that we will be victorious and will not rest until we have beaten our adversaries.  No match is too challenging!  No competition is too demanding!  Victory always!"

Actually, that is a complete and total dramatization.  I never gave any such speech, but I wish I would have.

I like inspiring words and speeches.  The speech above was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte, General George Patton, and a few other sources.


Napoleon's Proclamation to His Troops in Italy (March-April 1796)

Read it all here:  http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/nap1796.html

Here's part of the speech:


[March 27, 1796]


Soldiers, you are naked, ill fed! The Government owes you much; it can give you nothing. Your patience, the courage you display in the midst of these rocks, are admirable; but they procure you no glory, no fame is reflected upon you. I seek to lead you into the most fertile plains in the world. Rich provinces, great cities will be in your power. There you will find honor, glory, and riches. Soldiers of Italy, would you be lacking in courage or constancy?

[April 26, 1796]

In a fortnight you have won six victories, taken twenty-one standards, fifty-five pieces

plains in the world. Rich provinces, great of artillery, several strong positions, and conquered the richest part of Piedmont [a region in northern Italy]; you have captured 15,000 prisoners and killed or wounded more than 10,000 men. . . .

You have won battles without cannon, crossed rivers without bridges, made forced marches without shoes, camped without brandy and often without bread. Soldiers of liberty, only republican phalanxes [infantry troops] could have endured what you have endured. Soldiers, you have our thanks! The grateful Patrie [nation] will owe its prosperity to you. . . .

The two armies which but recently attacked you with audacity are fleeing before you in terror; the wicked men who laughed at your misery and rejoiced at the thought of the triumphs of your enemies are confounded and trembling.

Napoleon's Proclamation to the Troops on the Commencement of the War of the Third Coalition, September 1805:

http://www.societenapoleonienne.com/english/Life_Nap_Vol2_Chap11_b.htm

"Whatever the obstacles we have to face, we will be victorious and we will not rest until we have planted our eagles upon the territories of our enemies."

An excerpt from General George Patton's "Blood and Guts" speech found at:  http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/patton_20010914.html

I don't want to get any messages saying, "I am holding my position." We are not holding a Goddamned thing. Let the Germans do that! We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy's balls! We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all of the time. Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy.

The motto of the 1st Infantry Division of the U. S. Army (nicknamed The Big Red One):

"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great--Duty First!"