James Harrison's post goes viral, draws nationwide praise

James the national spokesman for good parenting? His facebook post- [Participation trophies are for losers] is being covered by every sports television show and sports media outlet in "print", and is spreding into the mainstream.

Armour: Harrison's message needs to be heard

Quote :

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison may be the last person you want to take life lessons from, given his history of violence on and off the field. But his announcement Sunday that he was giving back his 8- and 6-year-old son's "participation" trophies because they hadn't earned them was dead on, and that message shouldn't be discounted simply because he was the one delivering it.

"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," Harrison said in a post on Instagram. "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."

Amen.

Trophy proponents say children should be rewarded for their efforts, that the prizes give kids incentive to always try their best and persevere. But isn't that what the orange slices and cookies are for? By handing out trophies and medals at every turn, it actually sends the opposite message, essentially telling kids it's enough just to show up.

Why should a kid strive to improve or put in the extra effort when he or she is treated no differently than the kid who sits in the outfield picking dandelions? Or, as NFL MVP Kurt Warner said on Twitter on Monday, "They don't let kids pass classes 4 just showing up!"

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/armour-harrisons-message-needs-to-be-heard/ar-BBlPaZK?ocid=bb7hp

Good move James.  "Trying" is nice.  "Winning" is better.  
As Yoda wisely said, "Do or do not.....there is no try."

A personal story.   Many years ago my 6 year old son won 3rd place in a township soccer dribbling contest.  He was thrilled when he received his trophy for his 3rd place finish.
Well, immediately after the winners were recognized, the "participation" trophies were awarded to all who showed up and competed.  I can still vividly remember his reaction and disappointment because his winning effort and performance was immediately devalued.

I am shocked at the amount of national media coverage this is drawing. Is it really that big of a story?

jak341 wrote:

I am shocked at the amount of national media coverage this is drawing. Is it really that big of a story?

Someone is finally brave enough to stand up to Big Trophy.

Who else would benefit from participation trophies? It's certainly not the children.

JonM229 wrote:

jak341 wrote:

I am shocked at the amount of national media coverage this is drawing. Is it really that big of a story?

Someone is finally brave enough to stand up to Big Trophy.

Who else would benefit from participation trophies?  It's certainly not the children.

Exactly, what good can come of an 8 year old getting a participation medal for working hard all season and being the 2nd string MLB??

Honestly, those trophies that Harrisons kids got were pretty big for just showing up. Kids really don't care about those awards in 2 weeks anyways, so if the organization wants to give them something for showing up, get them a cool t-shirt, water bottle or simple medal.

Herm Edwards sums things up pretty well in this video I think.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13447657/james-harrison-pittsburgh-steelers-takes-away-kids-participation-trophies-says-awards-earned

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I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words. They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

teegre wrote:

.
I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.  

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words.  They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

First they banned dodgeball to spare the fat kids. But I didn't speak up because I wasn't a fat kid.

JonM229 wrote:

teegre wrote:

.
I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.  

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words.  They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

First they banned dodgeball to spare the fat kids.  But I didn't speak up because I wasn't a fat kid.

teegre wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

teegre wrote:

.
I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.  

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words.  They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

First they banned dodgeball to spare the fat kids.  But I didn't speak up because I wasn't a fat kid.

Then they went and banned "tag." It's unfair and demeaning for somebody to be "it."

FrancoLambert wrote:

teegre wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

teegre wrote:

.
I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.  

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words.  They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

First they banned dodgeball to spare the fat kids.  But I didn't speak up because I wasn't a fat kid.

Then they went and banned "tag."  It's unfair and demeaning for somebody to be "it."  

Plus, the kids would run... and, heaven forbid that the kids run around and act like kids!!!

.

teegre wrote:

FrancoLambert wrote:

teegre wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

teegre wrote:

.
I commend him.  

There was an education article about this a few years back... something along the lines of "No one fails any more."  The summation of the article was simple: Students learn that they will always get a passing grade; they go to college; they fail; and, they drop out... at an alarming rate.  

In other words: we've created a nation of Starbucks baristas who think that they are the next Jack Kerouac in waiting.  And, "in waiting" are the operative words.  They do not go out and create their legacy; they sit back and wait for someone to give it to them.  

Everyone is a winner.  No one is allowed to lose.  Venti iced latte, please.  

.

First they banned dodgeball to spare the fat kids.  But I didn't speak up because I wasn't a fat kid.

Then they went and banned "tag."  It's unfair and demeaning for somebody to be "it."  

Plus, the kids would run... and, heaven forbid that the kids run around and act like kids!!!

.

And if the kids un around and act like kids, they need to wear helmets damn it!

Oh wait.....if they run around like kids wearing helmets, they're playing football! We can't have that.

I'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball.

So Dodgeball, Tag and participation trophies are not acceptable, but its OK for the Washington football team to have a derogatory name?

Still waiting for the expansion Mississippi Crackers to get awarded a team.

I'm old we use to play on asphalt playgrounds.

JonM229 wrote:

jak341 wrote:

I am shocked at the amount of national media coverage this is drawing. Is it really that big of a story?

Someone is finally brave enough to stand up to Big Trophy.

Who else would benefit from participation trophies?  It's certainly not the children.

I disagree

I've coached too many YMCA teams and I appreciated the efforts of the physically awkward kids trying something outside of their natural gifts. I think of it like giving a ribbon to the learning disabled struggling to read one fish two fish. I don't think saying this isn't for you, go away is the best idea for kid sports.

Some kids have to work harder to make one basket than others do to win the scoring title. At what age to we separate them into to groups only allowed to try those things where they will excel? Who makes that call?

Advocates to team sports are always pointing to the benefits of TEAM. Sharing those benefits with clumsy, awkward kids is worth a trophy here and there.

the best player on the bad team is never happy with the little trophy. But the nerd feels joy.

But nerds deserve to be outcasts and bullied...

MURICA!

damn jon was on fire in this thread ...

effyou515 wrote:

I'm old we use to play on asphalt playgrounds.

I remember those days like they were...................wait, what was I sayin'?

Master_Of_Puppets wrote:

damn jon was on fire in this thread ...

This will be Jon holding the Ravens' participation trophy at the end of the season:

Wallace108 wrote:

Master_Of_Puppets wrote:

damn jon was on fire in this thread ...

This will be Jon holding the Ravens' participation trophy at the end of the season:

Isn't that what James Harrison was holding last year after the Wild Card round?

JonM229 wrote:

Isn't that what James Harrison was holding last year after the Wild Card round?

Harrison says the Ravens should give back that win ... they didn't earn it.

Wallace108 wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Isn't that what James Harrison was holding last year after the Wild Card round?

Harrison says the Ravens should give back that win ... they didn't earn it.

He's one to talk about not earning it:

JonM229 wrote:

Wallace108 wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Isn't that what James Harrison was holding last year after the Wild Card round?

Harrison says the Ravens should give back that win ... they didn't earn it.

He's one to talk about not earning it:

Looks like #74 on the Ravens "earned" a holding call on that video clip. But the refs gave him a pass for just showing up.