NFL Star Returns Kids' Participation Trophies

NFL star James Harrison is raising his kids right. When he came home and found each of his two sons holding a shiny participation trophy, he snapped a photo and posted it to Instagram along with a message that is gaining him the admiration of parents across the nation. The message immediately went viral.  

Although he is proud of his sons and their accomplishments, Harrison wants them to understand that in the real world, you don’t get a trophy just for showing up. Along with the snapshot was the announcement that he will be returning the trophies to Next Level Athletics. His touching message ended with #harrisonfamilyvalues.

“I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies!” says the Instagram post. “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.”  

Comments poured in by the thousands. While a few commenters were offended, the majority respected and admired his parenting choices:  

“This is great! Thank you for setting a good example and teaching the importance of hard work and actual accomplishment.” – Instagram user Steve Glauser

“One must lose to know what it truly means to win. Something for nothing never made anyone a better person.” – Instagram user Tom Parker