It takes a certain amount of self-confidence, bravado even, in order to excel at the highest level in many walks of life. That may apply especially to competitive athletics, such as the National Football League, which is the apex of the game, representing the best of the best who have ever played football.
You almost have to believe that you’re great in order to drive yourself to greatness—even if nobody else sees you as great. Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco became the butt of jokes when he claimed himself to be elite, and perhaps, not unfairly, but I would expect nothing less for somebody in his shoes, and I’d imagine that if I were him, on that stage, in his position, I would have to feel I was elite as well.