Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams is waging a one-man battle against the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality. Williams decided to teach his kindergarten-aged daughter a lesson about winning and losing: he gave her teacher back her field day participation ribbon to encourage her earn a ribbon by placing in an event.
According to Williams, she then placed first in the next event.
Williams tweeted a picture of his daughter wearing the ribbons she won throughout the day.
I took her Field Day participation ribbon & gave it back to her teacher...then in the next event she got 1st place???? pic.twitter.com/SUusZsjjYW
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) May 12, 2016
While it may seem harsh to strip a participation ribbon from a young child, the majority of the replies to Williams' tweet were positive.
@DeAngeloRB go you that's the way to parent #steelnation
— Reilly Lavelle (@reilly_lavelle) May 12, 2016
@DeAngeloRB Awesome! I think you have another career as a #MotivationalSpeaker to fall back on... #MattFoley #Farley pic.twitter.com/YdyL2zt8Ik
— Smiling Anger (@orangefrank1979) May 12, 2016
@DeAngeloRB I recall a commercial w/similar theme - Good Call !!! + You can't just show-up!
— David Bevan (@SnapperFace) May 12, 2016
@DeAngeloRB lol good for you! I would have love to seen the look on her face!
— Matthew Williams (@matthewilliamsX) May 12, 2016
@DeAngeloRB kudos! Best thing I've heard all day!! Love it!
— Michelle Crowder ? (@Sailorshel) May 12, 2016
I think Williams taught his daughter a valuable lesson, even if she is on the younger side. It doesn't do children any good to teach them to expect an award just for showing up--those things should be earned. Not everyone can win all the time. This is a parenting win.
