Glenn has long talked about his frustration with the concept of “participation trophies” that have overrun most youth sports leagues and other competitive settings. Glenn is of the opinion that the only way to teach our children the true value and meaning of success is to differentiate between those who finish first and those who finish last. If everyone gets a trophy just for showing up, what value does that trophy have?
Well, at least one Texas youth league shares that same mindset. The Keller Youth Association Football Program in northern Texas made headlines when it made the decision to no longer hand out participation trophies. The league says it believes awards should be earned.
“I think this is the best thing ever. I think this is the best thing ever. I hate those damn participation trophies,” Glenn said on radio this morning. “You don't get trophies just for showing up, son. That's a lie. And I'm sorry that I taught that to ya… Does anybody have their participation trophy… Did they take those on with them to college? Did they save those and move those to the house when they got married?”
Those who oppose the league’s decision say children should be rewarded for maintaining team spirit and staying committed to their team throughout the season, but Glenn was not buying such reasoning.
“No, hang on just a second. Should the fans get the trophies for all of the years that the Red Sox did not get a trophy for not giving up on their team,” Glenn asked. “No. They love their team. They had passion behind it and they supported their team. You don't get a trophy for being a fan. You don't get a trophy for being a loser on the team.”
“As an Eagles fan, I can assure you there are no trophies,” Stu joked.
“Let's not think about all of the kids as winners,” Glenn continued. “You're a winner even though you lost. No, you're not. You're a winner when you win.”
Glenn, Pat, and Stu agreed that the decision of the Keller Youth Association is a step in the right direction.
“I think it's a great first step for Keller Football because… it's an attitude,” Pat said. “It's an attitude that needs to be pervasive throughout the whole community. And once you start that attitude, it's going to be contagious.”
Watch the ABC News report about the league’s decision: