Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison recently returned sports trophies his sons were awarded purely for "participation," citing the need to teach his children "that everything in life should be earned."
The NFL player wrote on Instagram over the weekend:
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
Harrison received plenty of digital applause for his statement.
While he does not appear to identify publicly as a Republican or Democrat, the football star did notably snub Obama in 2009 when he and fellow teammates were invited to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl Championship title.
"I don't feel the need to go, actually," Harrison told local Pittsburgh media. "I don’t feel like it’s that big a deal to me."