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And the award goes to…

Awards. We are a country that recognizes everything. Medals, trophies, ceremonies, acceptance speeches, the spotlight, endorsements, the list goes on and on. “And the participation trophy goes to…”

Recently, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their recent inductees. Of course there is criticism about deserving candidates who were not voted in. in recent years, the selection process has been revised to be able to consider those worthy individuals who contributed in the past but are no longer eligible under the current system. This was an effort to consider who have been overlooked and that have no legions of fans. Baseball has made similar changes.

“America loves a winner…All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. Battle is the most significant competition in which a man can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base.” – Gen. George S. Patton

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame perhaps raises the most controversy with their annual list of inductees. The term “rock and roll” is a very nebulous meaning phrase. Traditionalist cry with the selection of those from different musical genres, and bemoan the exclusion of classic rock performers.

Sports and entertainment lead the way in highlighting accomplishments. Rookie of the Year, Best New Artist, Most Valuable Player, Record of the Year, Best Actor, etc., etc.

Trump wants his Nobel Peace Prize, so he has people nominate him. That’s a tough sell, but the world is upside down, so who knows?

Pete Rose was not selected for the Baseball Hall of Fame during his lifetime. Even if Trump pardons Rose, that doesn’t mean the writers will select him, but it will eventually happen.

Demi Moore was disappointed in not winning the Oscar this year, her only nomination ever, although he scooped up other awards for her role in The Substance. I did not see her film or Best Actress recipient Mikey Madison’s performance Anora, so I can’t judge.

Remember Kanye West taking exception to Taylor Swift’s MTV video music award win a few years ago? Or the outcry that Beyoncé took home the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Country Album?

Awards are also upsetting. “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you an idiot.” – Leo Durocher, HOF baseball manager

In 1989, the Grammy Awards introduced a new category: Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Recording. The nominees were Metallica, AC/DC, Iggy Pop, Jane’s Addiction and Jethro Tull. The projected winner was Metallica, for their hugely successful, …And Justice for All, but instead it was Jethro Tull for Crest of a Knave. The controversy that followed was loud, fitting for the category, as that year two award categories were merged, perhaps putting very different rock genres together. Anyway, the outcry was as intense as an Axl Rose scream.

“…losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out.” – baseball HOFer George Brett, who was likely talking from experience

Back to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a minute. This year, one name appearing on the senior ballot was AFL all-pro tackle Jim Tyre. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time first-team All-Pro, regarded as one of the best offensive lineman of his era. Easily a HOF contender. Tyre played 13 years and retired in 1974. So why isn’t he in the HOF? He killed his wife and then himself. A ghastly and sad event. Long story short: Tyre is now suspected of having chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease, a condition only diagnosed through autopsy testing. Tyre died long before CTE was first classified in players from repeated head trauma. Tyre played in the era when linemen were restricted from using their hands defensively against violent head-slapping and other head trauma. It’s a complicated tragedy. Tyre was not selected to the Hall of Fame this year.

 “There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise.” – Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

Mary Kay might be onto something (although I wonder about the sex part), we are a society that is hungry for, and demands, praise and recognition. At the same time, there is a forceful pushback against undeserved recognition, i.e., the participation award. On your way home from work, traveling the speed limit on the highway, notice the angry drivers on either side of you, and the person behind you with the middle finger pointed at you. There’s something about our society that is angry and needing their own lane and coming in first. We are a culture tired of waiting on hold, getting the wrong sandwich in the drive-thru, overlooked by the boss, and having your kid fail to make the team. We lead with our self-esteem and egos.

I’ll never make my high school hall of fame. I know the selection is rigged.