The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.

Vince Lombardi (1913–1970), the celebrated head coach of the Green Bay Packers during their 1960s dynasty, frequently framed competition in moral and character-based terms. In speeches and coaching remarks, he emphasized that championships and single-game outcomes are fleeting, while habits of discipline, commitment, and striving for excellence shape a person and a team over time. This quotation reflects Lombardi’s broader leadership philosophy in which “winning” is tied to preparation and inner resolve rather than luck or isolated events. It is commonly circulated in collections of Lombardi sayings and motivational sports literature, often detached from a specific dated occasion.

The quote distinguishes between transient “events” (a particular game, season, setback, or victory) and enduring qualities of character. Lombardi argues that what lasts—and what ultimately defines success—is the internal posture: spirit, competitive will, and the drive to excel. The emphasis is not on denying the importance of outcomes, but on locating meaning in the attitudes and standards that produce them. Read more broadly, it suggests a stoic, process-oriented ethic: circumstances change, but cultivated virtues persist and can be carried from one arena to another. In leadership terms, it elevates culture and mindset over short-term results.