113 Best Uncle Rico Quotes (with Commentary)

Known for his humorous and sometimes poignant reflections on life, dreams, and the past, Uncle Rico is an unforgettable character from the famous film “Napoleon Dynamite”

His character, stuck in a reflective loop of his high school football days, delivers lines that are funny, as well as relatable.

This collection of “Uncle Rico Quotes” explores  the nature of his character—his quirks, his dreams, and his unique standpoint on life. These quotes will strike a chord with you if you have  ever looked back on your life with a blend of fondness and regret.

Top Uncle Rico Quotes

“How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains?” Uncle Rico

“Back in ’82, I used to be able to throw a pigskin a quarter mile.” – Uncle Rico

“If coach woulda put me in fourth quarter, we would’ve been state champions. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.” – Uncle Rico

“I’m just gonna go out there and let it rip today!” – Uncle Rico

“You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I’m wearin’ these bad boys? Forget about it.” – Uncle Rico

“I wish I could go back in time… I’d take state.” – Uncle Rico

“This is pretty much the worst video ever made.” – Uncle Rico

“Kip, I reckon you know a lot about cyberspace.” – Uncle Rico

“Napoleon, like anyone can even know that.” – Uncle Rico

“You ever come across anything… like time travel?” – Uncle Rico

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Uncle Rico Quotes on Dreams and Aspirations

“You gotta allow yourself to dream, and when you dream, you gotta dream big.” – Uncle Rico

“It’s all about pushing the limits and reaching for that ‘Hail Mary’ in life.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes life gives you a second shot, you know, for your dreams.” – Uncle Rico

“Never give up on your dreams, no matter how many times you got to throw that football.” – Uncle Rico

“Dreaming is free, man. And it’s the first step to turning the maybe into the definitely.” – Uncle Rico

“Remember, it’s not about what you lost, it’s about what you’re going to gain.” – Uncle Rico

“If you don’t have dreams, you’re just sleeping.” – Uncle Rico

“Keep aiming high. That’s how winners are made.” – Uncle Rico

“The dream isn’t what you see in sleep, it’s the thing that doesn’t let you sleep.” – Uncle Rico

“A true dream is the one that keeps you up at night and fires you up in the morning.” – Uncle Rico

Funny Uncle Rico Quotes

“I bet I could throw a football over those mountains.” – Uncle Rico

“Just think about it… Time travel.” – Uncle Rico

“I’m dead serious about running over that dog.” – Uncle Rico

“Don’t be jealous that I’ve been chatting online with babes all day.” – Uncle Rico

“I could wrap myself in this stuff. Feels like a warm baby.” – Uncle Rico

“Do you think people will vote for me because I’m really good looking?” – Uncle Rico

“I’m gonna go out there and make it the best day of my life!” – Uncle Rico

“It’s like I’m sailing a schooner through stormy seas!” – Uncle Rico

“Man, I wish I could go back in time. I’d take state.” – Uncle Rico

“Watch this, I’m gonna put about a quarter-mile on this ball!” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes on Nostalgia

“Back in ’82, I used to be able to throw a pigskin a quarter mile.” – Uncle Rico

“If coach had put me in fourth quarter, we would’ve been state champions.” – Uncle Rico

“Ohhhh, man I wish I could go back in time. I’d take state.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes I get the feeling like I was born too late. Like maybe I was supposed to be somewhere else.” – Uncle Rico

“You ever get the feeling like you could have done more? That’s me, every day.” – Uncle Rico

“I still remember the smell of the grass on that field. Man, those were the days.” – Uncle Rico

“Life was simpler back in high school. That’s when I was in my prime.” – Uncle Rico

“Remember the sunsets back in ’82? Nothing like the ones we got now.” – Uncle Rico

“I tell you, every time I put on that old tape, it’s like I’m right there again.” – Uncle Rico

“Those glory days, man… they haunt me.” – Uncle

Uncle Rico Quotes on Success and Failure

“You gotta throw the ball if you wanna score. Success is about taking those shots.” – Uncle Rico

“Failure’s just another way to learn how to throw better.” – Uncle Rico

“Back in ’82, I learned that success is not just about winning, but how you play the game.” – Uncle Rico

“Man, if I had just done things a little different, I’d be sitting on top of the world right now.” – Uncle Rico

“Every time I threw that football, I knew I could either fail or succeed, but I threw it anyway.” – Uncle Rico

“Success is like a game of football; you can’t win unless you take a chance and throw.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes, I think about what would’ve happened if I’d made that shot. Success was so close.” – Uncle Rico

“You miss all the shots you don’t take, even in ’82.” – Uncle Rico

“I’ve had my share of failures, but every throw taught me something about how to succeed.” – Uncle Rico

“In life, as in football, you won’t always score, but you’ve gotta keep playing the game.” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes on Family Dynamics

“No matter what, family is family. Even if they don’t always get your dreams.” – Uncle Rico

“Trying to get this family to function is harder than trying to throw a football over them mountains.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes you feel like the odd one out in the family, like a quarterback in a team of soccer players.” – Uncle Rico

“Family’s like a team; not everyone plays the same position, but everyone’s important.” – Uncle Rico

“Just like in football, every family has its star players and its benchwarmers. But you play with the team you got.” – Uncle Rico

“I sometimes think if my family understood me better, we’d be a championship team.” – Uncle Rico

“Every family gathering feels like a timeout from real life.” – Uncle Rico

“Family is like a football game; it’s all about how you handle the passes and tackles.” – Uncle Rico

“In this family, I sometimes feel like I’m the only one who knows where the end zone is.” – Uncle Rico

“Just because we’re family doesn’t mean we all see eye to eye, but it’s the team spirit that counts.” – Uncle Rico

Inspirational Uncle Rico Quotes

“Keep dreaming, keep believing. You gotta throw that football of life as far as you can.” – Uncle Rico

“Never give up. Not now, not ever. You never know when your moment’s gonna come.” – Uncle Rico

“Life’s like a football game, and every day you gotta get out there and give it all you’ve got.” – Uncle Rico

“It ain’t about how hard you can throw, it’s about how much you can dream.” – Uncle Rico

“You can’t rewind the past, but you can always make a new play for the future.” – Uncle Rico

“Remember, the game’s not over ’til the whistle blows. Keep playing, keep dreaming.” – Uncle Rico

“Every day is a new quarter. Forget the scoreboard and play your heart out.” – Uncle Rico

“Chase your dreams like it’s the last minute of the state championship.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes you gotta take a long shot, just to see how far you can really throw.” – Uncle Rico

“Believe in yourself, even when the stands are empty.” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes on Life Lessons

“In life, as on the field, you gotta take risks to make those big plays.” – Uncle Rico

“You learn a lot about yourself when you’re down in the fourth quarter. That’s when it really counts.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes, life throws you out of bounds. You just gotta get back in the game.” – Uncle Rico

“Life’s gonna hit you hard. But it’s about whether you can get up and throw the ball again.” – Uncle Rico

“Just like in football, life requires teamwork. You can’t win the game all on your own.” – Uncle Rico

“Every throw doesn’t lead to a touchdown, but every throw teaches you something.” – Uncle Rico

“You can’t change the past throws, but you can always make a better throw next time.” – Uncle Rico

“Remember, it’s not about how many times you get sacked. It’s about how many times you get up.” – Uncle Rico

“Life is unpredictable, like a fumbled football. You just gotta keep your eyes on it and be ready for anything.” – Uncle Rico

“In life, you gotta learn to call an audible when things aren’t going your way.” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes on Confidence

“You see these mountains here? I can throw a football right over them. Confidence is key.” – Uncle Rico

“If you believe it, you can achieve it.” – Uncle Rico

“You gotta have the confidence to bet on yourself, no matter the odds.” – Uncle Rico

“Confidence is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.” – Uncle Rico

“Back in ’82, I believed I could be a champion, and that’s half the battle.” – Uncle Rico

“It’s not just about throwing the football; it’s about believing you can make the throw.” – Uncle Rico

“When you step onto that field, you gotta know you’re the best player out there.” – Uncle Rico

“The difference between a good throw and a great throw? Confidence.” – Uncle Rico

“Stand tall, throw far. Confidence will take you there.” – Uncle Rico

“In life and football, you’ve gotta walk with a swagger that says you mean business.” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes from Key Scenes

“Back in ’82, I used to be able to throw a pigskin a quarter mile. Bet I could throw one over them mountains.” – Uncle Rico

“How much you wanna bet I can throw a football over them mountains?” – Uncle Rico

“If coach woulda put me in fourth quarter, we would’ve been state champions. No doubt.” – Uncle Rico

“I’m dead serious about running over that dog.” – Uncle Rico

“Watch this video. It’s pretty much my entire life.” – Uncle Rico

“Kip, I reckon you know a lot about cyberspace.” – Uncle Rico

“You ever come across anything… like time travel?” – Uncle Rico

“Napoleon, like anyone can even know that.” – Uncle Rico

“This is the worst video ever made.” – Uncle Rico

“Do you think people will vote for me because I’m really good looking?” – Uncle Rico

Uncle Rico Quotes on Relationships

“Sometimes you gotta throw the ball just to see if someone will catch it. Relationships are like that.” – Uncle Rico

“In relationships, like in football, you have to know when to pass and when to keep the ball.” – Uncle Rico

“Just because we fumble the ball doesn’t mean we can’t pick it up and score a touchdown next time.” – Uncle Rico

“Relationships are tough. It’s like trying to throw a perfect spiral in a storm.” – Uncle Rico

“You gotta be ready to throw the ball back when life throws one at you. That’s how relationships work.” – Uncle Rico

“Every relationship needs a game plan. Without it, you’re just throwing passes into the wind.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes, the best play in the book is just to sit down and talk it out.” – Uncle Rico

“In the game of relationships, the best defense is a good conversation.” – Uncle Rico

“A relationship without trust is like a football game without a quarterback: it just doesn’t work.” – Uncle Rico

“You don’t always have to throw long passes; sometimes, a simple handoff is all it takes to keep things moving.” – Uncle Rico

Philosophical Uncle Rico Quotes

“Life is like a game of football; every day you have to play in a new quarter.” – Uncle Rico

“Sometimes, you have to throw the ball just to see where it lands. It’s all about taking chances.” – Uncle Rico

“You can’t always control where the ball goes, but you can always control how hard you throw it.” – Uncle Rico

“If you keep looking back at your past, you’ll never be able to see the touchdown in front of you.” – Uncle Rico

“Time travel? It’s not about going back. It’s about fixing what needs fixing now.” – Uncle Rico

“You know, if you keep throwing things away, you’ll never know what could have been a catch.” – Uncle Rico

“Life throws you curveballs, but I like to think I can throw them right back.” – Uncle Rico

“The thing about time is, you can’t buy it, you can’t sell it. But you can make every second count.” – Uncle Rico

“I always say, if you’re going to throw, throw with all your might. Same goes for every chance you take in life.” – Uncle Rico

“Remember, a field goal is good, but sometimes, you’ve got to go for the touchdown.” – Uncle Rico

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Final Thoughts

When you reflect on “Uncle Rico’s Quotes,” you’re brought closer to the universal themes of dream, disappointment, and the human inclination to dwell on ‘what could have been.’

Uncle Rico’s character offers a funny yet insightful commentary on life’s setbacks and why it’s important to move forward despite them.

These quotes remind you to smile at your own flaws and the sometimes ridiculous lengths you go to reclaim your glory days.