Pittsburgh Steeler Returns His Kids "Participation" Trophies

[Anonymous]

As a mom, I am very happy to know that this dad is teaching his kids the value of striving to do better.

I hate participation trophies. I want my kids to work hard and to recognize that sometimes other work harder than them and get the recognition. Competition is good and striving to be the best is a great goal, even if you may not reach it in all instances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is his Instagram post about this. Now this is a DAD:

I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy.

What this is, is a DAD who makes his kids do stuff to fit his own personal agenda.

You are wrong. It is a dad who is preparing his sons to face life.

+1

It is foolish and unrealistic to convince your kids that they deserve to be congratulated for participating. You don't get a bonus or promotion at work for showing up, you get it for showing up and doing a great job.

I've worked at several jobs that have given some small trinket (a water bottle for example, or a somewhat nice pen) to everyone who was employed at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is his Instagram post about this. Now this is a DAD:

I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy.

What this is, is a DAD who makes his kids do stuff to fit his own personal agenda.

You are wrong. It is a dad who is preparing his sons to face life.

+1

It is foolish and unrealistic to convince your kids that they deserve to be congratulated for participating. You don't get a bonus or promotion at work for showing up, you get it for showing up and doing a great job.

Not true. We give bonuses to everybody. Most people get jobs based on who they know not hard work. Most jobs that require a team approach reward the whole team when they give awards.

His kids will get way more out of life simply because he is rich, he know people and he can pay for a great education... no hardwork.

Exactly. The real world is not merit-based. And as Harrison exemplifies, people with a narrow, exceptional skillset are often raging assholes.

It's not the kids getting participation trophies we have to worry about; it's the kids who learn to measure their self-worth by their ability to win at all costs who cause problems.

[Anonymous]

Former division I athlete and I agree with him. Participation trophies are worthless. That said, I think accomplishments (outside of winning) like scholar-athlete, attendance, sportsmanship SHOULD be awarded. Winning isn't the only characteristic worth awarding in sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a mom, I am very happy to know that this dad is teaching his kids the value of striving to do better.

I hate participation trophies. I want my kids to work hard and to recognize that sometimes other work harder than them and get the recognition. Competition is good and striving to be the best is a great goal, even if you may not reach it in all instances.

Then he should give back his Super Bowl ring from a Super Bowl XL since he barely participated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, sounds like attention-seeking behavior to me. Don't want your kids to have the participation trophies? Fine, I have no problem with that, take them away or donate them to goodwill. Don't give them back and then generate drama about it on the internet.

+1

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I have a child with Anxiety. Her participation on the swim team represents a shitload of bravery from her. As far as I'm concerned, she earns that participation trophy.

Yes, but what did she contribute to the team?

Wow, you are an incredible asshole.

[Anonymous]

My kids have known that participation trophies mean nothing since they were eight years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been doing this since my oldest, now 14yr old got her first participation trophy. We tell every coach/instructor we will not accept a trophy or ribbon based on participation before the season even starts. I don't go on a tangent or push my own beliefs on them. I just let them know we won't need one.

For us, it sends the wrong message. Who wants a room full of trophies at the age of 14 for doing nothing but participating on a team? Talk about a waste of the environment. Not one kid is going to keep all those trophies given out 2-3x a year per sport.

Thank you! Participation trophies are for the kids of coddling moms. You don't deserve a trophy for playing 6 sixty minute games of a team sport over 2 months. My kids throw theirs out after a few months. They collect dust and mean absolutely nothing. I applaud this guy. I am really hoping the coddling helicopter days are coming to an end. Maybe college kids will be able to handle life a little better and the suicides and gun sprees will stop rising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, sounds like attention-seeking behavior to me. Don't want your kids to have the participation trophies? Fine, I have no problem with that, take them away or donate them to goodwill. Don't give them back and then generate drama about it on the internet.

+1

---------------

I have a child with Anxiety. Her participation on the swim team represents a shitload of bravery from her. As far as I'm concerned, she earns that participation trophy.

Yes, but what did she contribute to the team?

Wow, you are an incredible asshole.

Not the PP but your child didn't "earn" a trophy for being on a swim team. She earned a "great job, we are proud of you overcoming your fears!" from her parents. The kids that place 1st, 2nd and 3rd deserve the trophies. See the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is his Instagram post about this. Now this is a DAD:

I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy.

What this is, is a DAD who makes his kids do stuff to fit his own personal agenda.

You are wrong. It is a dad who is preparing his sons to face life.

+1

It is foolish and unrealistic to convince your kids that they deserve to be congratulated for participating. You don't get a bonus or promotion at work for showing up, you get it for showing up and doing a great job.

Not true. We give bonuses to everybody. Most people get jobs based on who they know not hard work. Most jobs that require a team approach reward the whole team when they give awards.

His kids will get way more out of life simply because he is rich, he know people and he can pay for a great education... no hardwork.

Exactly. The real world is not merit-based. And as Harrison exemplifies, people with a narrow, exceptional skillset are often raging assholes.

It's not the kids getting participation trophies we have to worry about; it's the kids who learn to measure their self-worth by their ability to win at all costs who cause problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a mom, I am very happy to know that this dad is teaching his kids the value of striving to do better.

I hate participation trophies. I want my kids to work hard and to recognize that sometimes other work harder than them and get the recognition. Competition is good and striving to be the best is a great goal, even if you may not reach it in all instances.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It is foolish and unrealistic to convince your kids that they deserve to be congratulated for participating. You don't get a bonus or promotion at work for showing up, you get it for showing up and doing a great job.

No, but I do get paid for showing up at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a mom, I am very happy to know that this dad is teaching his kids the value of striving to do better.

I hate participation trophies. I want my kids to work hard and to recognize that sometimes other work harder than them and get the recognition. Competition is good and striving to be the best is a great goal, even if you may not reach it in all instances.

This dad is teaching his kids the value of assaulting your partner, skipping out on team obligations, keeping dangerous animals, and insulting your co-workers. If you think he's setting a good example, how do you feel about Jameis Winston or Tom Brady?

[Anonymous]

Another mom of a kid with anxiety. To get up the guts to show up for a game takes everything he has and then some. Given the league is geared towards teaching kids and getting them to love the sport, I think medals for all makes sense. His effort is as great or greater than the kid who is naturally good.

I really appreciate the coaches that take the time to recognize the improvement in each child and not just the ones that are the best.

I realize as they get older, and the games get competitive the trophies should go to the best players. But at a young age, kids need encouragement to try. They will never get good if they do not at first try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another mom of a kid with anxiety. To get up the guts to show up for a game takes everything he has and then some. Given the league is geared towards teaching kids and getting them to love the sport, I think medals for all makes sense. His effort is as great or greater than the kid who is naturally good.

I really appreciate the coaches that take the time to recognize the improvement in each child and not just the ones that are the best.

I realize as they get older, and the games get competitive the trophies should go to the best players. But at a young age, kids need encouragement to try. They will never get good if they do not at first try.

I am starting to think the moms with kids that have anxiety are just coddling overprotective smother mothers who think just walking out the door deserves a medal. Way to set the bar super low.