When I was in Birmingham I used to go to a place called Redwood Field. I used to get there for a two o'clock game. Where can you make this kind of money playing sports? It was just a pleasure to go out and enjoy myself and get paid for it.

At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons so I really came very quickly in all sports.

While writing my first 90 books I was magazine editor publisher book publisher executive etc. so I was established in publishing. three of my seven or so books were biographies of sports stars and really opened doors for me in that area.

I believe God created sports for a good reason. It's recreation. It's something that we enjoy. It teaches us a lot as well... I believe God is a sports fan.

The sports page records people's accomplishments the front page usually records nothing but man's failures.

For a while I was on the cover of every Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue which was regarded as the pinnacle of success in America.

Winning isn't everything but playing and competing and striving and going through things can be a lot of fun and really important. As long as you're doing it in a way that's healthy sports can be an incredible opportunity.

Most people compliment me on maintaining my femininity while I'm on the court. People like the fact that I model. My fans or little girls always say they want to play sports but also want to be a model like me and I think that's great.

I played a ton of team sports growing up and team wins are just incredibly gratifying.

I'll go out but I leave early before the shenanigans. I don't really do the Hollywood party thing. I'd rather watch sports or play videogames or work out or sleep to be totally honest.