James Harrison says he returned his sons’ trophies because they didn’t earn them
Outside linebacker James Harrison greets fans at Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Tuesday.
James Harrison has earned two Super Bowl rings during his 12-year NFL career. The star linebacker really earned the one in 2009, when he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown to help the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Arizona Cardinals.
So, one might say that Harrison has earned the right to put his foot down on awards received for anything but winning a championship. Check out his Instagram post from over the weekend:
"I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies!" Harrison wrote. "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."
He added: "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."
Harrison was a college walk-on who went undrafted in the NFL and was signed and released several times before finally making it with the Steelers. He went on to become the league's defensive player of the year in 2008 and is a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
He was asked at practice on Sunday about the status of the trophies.
They've already gone back," Harrison said.
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