How many times have you needed the right words to stimulate your team, your kids, your colleagues, to lift them to greatness?

My friend Rick Houcek draws inspiration from motivational speeches.

Herb Brooks

USA hockey team head coach Herb Brooks gave this pre-game locker room talk before his team faced the heavily-favored Soviets in the 1980 Olympics:

“Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that’s what you have here tonight, boys,” he said. “That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game.

“If we played them 10 times, they might win 9. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.

“You were born to be hockey players – every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight.

“This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!”

The amateur USA team upset the veteran, professional Soviet team 4-3.

Rocky Balboa

Actor-writer Sylvester Stallone as a retired Rocky Balboa in the movie ‘Rocky 6’ was talking to his son.

The young man had just loudly berated his dad for returning to the boxing ring.

Rocky replies, “When you were a baby, I’d say to your mother, ‘This kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody.’

“It was great watching you, every day is a privilege.

“Then the time comes for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You let people tell you you’re no good. You started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine. It’s a mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

“It ain’t about how hard you’re hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving. How much you take and keep moving. That’s how winning is done.

“If you know what you’re worth, go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you.

“You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.”

Did this inspire you? Email the Sports Grouch at ChronicleSports@yahoo.com .