NFL Star Discovered His Kids Got Participation Trophies. What He Did Next Has Some Praising Him.

NFL Star Discovered His Kids Got Participation Trophies. What He Did Next Has Some Praising Him.

When an entire generation of kids is raised on the idea that they’re all winners and there are no losers, they’re going to be doomed for a rough start in life when they inevitably have to face the real world. Steelers linebacker James Harrison isn’t having any of that, and when his sons came home with participation trophies, he did something amazing.

james harrison

Pittsburgh Steelers star James Harrison came home to discover his two children had received participation trophies — but they don’t get to have them for long.

Harrison, a linebacker for the Steelers, posted a photo of the ”2015 Best of the Batch Next Level Athletics Student-Athlete Awards” on Instagram and announced that they will be given back to Next Level Athletics.

In his lengthy social media post, Harrison said he was proud of his sons, but participation trophies are not in line with the values he is teaching his children.

“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. #harrisonfamilyvalues”

At time of publication, Harrison’s post had more than 1,200 comments from Instagram users and while some decried his decision, most exalted his parenting choices.

Kids need to learn that sometimes, they aren’t going to be the winner. That’s life, and this feel-good, everyone’s-a-winner, everyone-is-special, politically correct bull is so not helpful — all it does is set kids up for failure when they no longer have adults ready to coddle them through every tough situation.

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