This line can possibly be credited to Ric Flair, though the now retired pro wrestler originally cried: "To be the man, you gotta beat the man" (from WrestleWar 1989 where Ric Flair beat Ricky The Dragon Steamboat for the World Heavyweight Championship).
It's not known who first uttered the version "To be the best you have to beat the best" but many fighters/teams are fond of repeating the credo including boxer Matthew Macklin, footballer Adam Vinatieri, MMA fighter Pablo Alfonso, football coach Eric Mangini and more.
Cam Gigandet's character Ryan McCarthy in the 2008 movie Never Back Down said an identical line: "If you gonna be the best, you have to take out the best."
While sports are known for producing the most remarkable athletes, colorful characters, influential leaders and memorable heroes; its fans have only seen a small throng of individuals leave as significant a legacy with their words as they have with their ability.
Their words have left some puzzled and others inspired. Here are The 100 Best Sports Quotes of All Time featured on BleacherReport.com.