Pittsburgh Steeler Returns His Kids "Participation" Trophies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Exactly. And most kids have anxiety BECAUSE of their parents. They are scared of germs, them falling, losing a friend, not being the best at school, dont leaving their side, fix their bad decisions, blame others, helicoptering etc... And then they wonder why their kids are so anxious and high stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are his boys? It just says elementary.

If they are third-sixth graders, good lesson.

If they are kindergartners, that kinda sucks.

Sucks all around. It's countering a kind gesture with a rude one, which is always unmannerly. If he were against such things, he could write a letter to the appropriate person expressing his dissent.

As someone I knew used to say, "Good manners are appropriate even in the devil's home".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had my DD say "no thank you" when she was little and given awards for showing up. She understands why. When she won MVP for her varsity volleyball team she was actually proud of it, because she busted her ass all season and was the only one to get the award.

What a nasty person you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had my DD say "no thank you" when she was little and given awards for showing up. She understands why. When she won MVP for her varsity volleyball team she was actually proud of it, because she busted her ass all season and was the only one to get the award.

This I can support. Using your status as a player on a professional football team to make a show of returning the trophy, not so much. What a sphincter he is.

Agree with the sentiment (immediate PP's, not nasty previous PP)... and I love the phrasing. I'm going to steal it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a major dick to me.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a major dick to me.

In the abstract sense of the phrase, mainly. It's another version of Mrs. Doubtfire's quote about men, big cars, and genitalia. But this is a parenting forum so I won't go on. I'm sure you know what I mean.

[Anonymous]

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.

His kids are going to end up with serious issues anyway. When you tell a little kid - " your best isn't good enough " - you are defeating them over and over before they even start.

Amen.

Signed, a daughter whose "father" was and is in that habit. When I talk to him about him to friends, I don't say "Dad" or "my father". I say "Mr. His Last Name". That's a good snapshot of what passes for a relationship between us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the battles a parent could choose to fight. And he chose this one. Wow.

+1000! People who make a fuss about something like this need some real problems.

THAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think he is likely an asshole and doing his kids no favors- I can just imagine them telling the other kids they don't deserve a trophy or it is meaningless. How else would a kid cope?

These participation trophies are merely a memento of your season acknowledging that everyone has contributed. They are kids. It is fine. In this area it is so competitive that most of these kids won't even get to play a team sport in high school.

And you sound just like a mom. Which is fine, because I bet you are. But he is a man, a father, and his comment is that "this is how he's teaching his sons to be men." He is a professional football player in his mid-30s who is still competing and knows what it takes to play at that elite level. And by the way, he himself is the youngest of 14 kids so imagine what that did to his sense of drive and perspective.

I very much like his comment, "sometimes your best isn't good enough." That's exactly right and nothing wrong with kids learning that at an early age. It doesn't mean you're a failure in life or a worthless person. It means that someone will always be chasing you, willing to work harder than you are and may be just more naturally gifted. Get over it.

Wasn't Harrison arrested for domestic violence? Yeah, fantastic idea to take parenting advice and cues on manhood from a woman beater. Super.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a tween with SN who will never earn a "real" trophy. He is proud of his participation trophies because they represent him trying his best.

Haters gotta hate on something benign all the damn time.

Thanks for sharing this. I hope it helps people pull their head out off their behind about the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think he is likely an asshole and doing his kids no favors- I can just imagine them telling the other kids they don't deserve a trophy or it is meaningless. How else would a kid cope?

These participation trophies are merely a memento of your season acknowledging that everyone has contributed. They are kids. It is fine. In this area it is so competitive that most of these kids won't even get to play a team sport in high school.

And you sound just like a mom. Which is fine, because I bet you are. But he is a man, a father, and his comment is that "this is how he's teaching his sons to be men." He is a professional football player in his mid-30s who is still competing and knows what it takes to play at that elite level. And by the way, he himself is the youngest of 14 kids so imagine what that did to his sense of drive and perspective.

I very much like his comment, "sometimes your best isn't good enough." That's exactly right and nothing wrong with kids learning that at an early age. It doesn't mean you're a failure in life or a worthless person. It means that someone will always be chasing you, willing to work harder than you are and may be just more naturally gifted. Get over it.

Wasn't Harrison arrested for domestic violence? Yeah, fantastic idea to take parenting advice and cues on manhood from a woman beater. Super.

Yes. He also received a participation ring for a Super Bowl that he did not play in.

[Anonymous]

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.

Sorry your daughter has anxiety. I suffer from anxiety attacks, albeit rarely, and I know what it means.

All those people who don't think about such aspects as SN kids and go on and on about what a catastrophe participation trophies/certificates/whatever are, are welcome write it on a piece of paper and mail it to the chapelain AFAIK. They're a meanspirited bunch who hate to see children happy, that's the long and the short of it IMO.

[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?

Not PP, but can you get any nastier? For a child with anxiety, showing up is already a huge thing. Your attitude is appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think he is likely an asshole and doing his kids no favors- I can just imagine them telling the other kids they don't deserve a trophy or it is meaningless. How else would a kid cope?

These participation trophies are merely a memento of your season acknowledging that everyone has contributed. They are kids. It is fine. In this area it is so competitive that most of these kids won't even get to play a team sport in high school.

And you sound just like a mom. Which is fine, because I bet you are. But he is a man, a father, and his comment is that "this is how he's teaching his sons to be men." He is a professional football player in his mid-30s who is still competing and knows what it takes to play at that elite level. And by the way, he himself is the youngest of 14 kids so imagine what that did to his sense of drive and perspective.

I very much like his comment, "sometimes your best isn't good enough." That's exactly right and nothing wrong with kids learning that at an early age. It doesn't mean you're a failure in life or a worthless person. It means that someone will always be chasing you, willing to work harder than you are and may be just more naturally gifted. Get over it.

That is all f'ing bullshit... just a bunch of ridiculous DC overachieving bull fing shit.

Elite level, sense of drive... blah, blah, blah.


Wee just need kids to get their fat asses off the couch and have fun... playing at an elite level GMAFB.

He better be nice to his kids, because he elite self won't be able to wipe his own ass when he is 50 due to the TBI he likely will suffer.

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

[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

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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.

x 1,000