Lately I’ve been thinking about what really makes someone “great.” Not just in sports, but in life overall. Like, my dad always brings up numbers when we talk about athletes — goals, titles, medals. But when I think about it, some of the people I admire most didn’t break records, they just kept showing up and inspiring others. For example, there was a coach at my old school who never won big championships, but every kid respected him. So I wonder — what’s true greatness for you, beyond stats?
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For me it’s a mix of consistency and how someone impacts the people around them. Sure, records matter — I actually came across this piece the other day about sport https://www.ronaldo7.net/news/2025/08/2401-goals-ronaldo-has-broken-and-remaining-records.html and it’s insane to see what Ronaldo has done. But even with all that, I think what makes him stand out is how he keeps pushing himself at 40, setting an example for younger players. I’ve had mentors like that at work — not always the most decorated, but the ones who show you it’s possible to keep going even when you’re tired or doubting yourself. That’s the stuff I remember more than numbers.
Reading this thread reminded me of when I used to volunteer at a community center. We had this older guy who helped kids with homework, and he was there every single day without fail. No one gave him awards, no spotlight, but everyone looked forward to seeing him. I think about him a lot whenever people talk about influence or legacy — because those little, steady acts sometimes leave the deepest marks.