NFL Star Makes Sons Return Participation Trophies

Pittsburgh Steelers star James Harrison has returned his sons' participation trophies to their coaches, saying they didn't "earn them" and I completely disagree with his decision.

Harrison explained his feelings about "participation trophies" in youth sports in a lengthy Instagram post this weekend.

Don't get me wrong.  I understand where Harrison is coming from.  He worked hard for everything he has.  He went from being a walk on at Kent State who went undrafted and was released several times before finally donning the black and yellow for the Steelers.  He's now appeared in five pro-bowls.  I know he has a far more impressive athletic resume than I do, but I respectfully disagree with his feelings about participation trophies.

When I was a kid I played soccer and I sucked at it.  I had trouble breathing running up and down the field.  I think I've scored more goals as an adult playing indoor soccer than I did in the 6+  years I played as a kid.  I just wasn't as athletic as the other kids and it was discouraging.  But you know why I didn't quit?  At the end of the season I got the same trophy as the other kids and that trophy kept me motivated enough to not quit the team.  Over those years, I learned the importance of teamwork, learned how to make friends with kids from other schools and picked up some soccer skills.  The experience made me a pretty well rounded kid and I would've missed out on those important lessons if I had quit the team when I was playing youth soccer.

Even before I knew about Harrison's post this weekend, my boyfriend and I were talking about participation awards in local road races.  My friends own Final Kick Events and their races, including the Idaho Wine Run I did this weekend, are moving away from age group awards.  They now give every participant in their 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon races a finisher's medal regardless of place or time.  While, I'm still competitive enough to have a shot at some age group awards I actually like this model far more because it encourages everyone to reach their own goals.

My mom is a perfect example. She's in her fifties and never participated in organized athletics.  She didn't get in to running when my dad and I did.  She's tried a ton of those over the counter, "miracle" diet pills to lose weight with very little success but recently, her friends got her into walking with them.  She's making healthier eating choices now too.  Why now, why at her age? She told me she wants to be around to see me and my little sister succeed in our lives and careers.  Mom's also hoping that her healthier lifestyle will help her get off her high blood pressure medication.  To go from couch to goals like that?  My mom is the type of person that deserves a medal at the finish line of her first 5K.  It took her a lot more guts to get there than it did to get me, someone who's been a runner since middle school, to the finish line of a half marathon.

If participation medals and trophies can inspire kids (and adults alike) to set and reach goals even if they're not the best of the best on the team, then I think they're great! So, sorry James Harrison.  Let's agree to disagree on this one.  I feel bad that your little boys don't get to keep their trophies for leaving it out on the field this season.