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Pagano opposes participation trophies; would still like a trophy

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano agrees that participation trophies don't do youth any favors by teaching them that everybody gets a prize regardless of performance.

But that doesn't mean he isn't hoping his 6-6 squad can still get a prize of its own.

Facing off against current AFC South leaders the Houston Texans on Sunday, Pagano says he's emphasized the importance of taking home the division crown to his players. However, in Pagano's analogy, the division crown is the only trophy.

"There's no trophies for second place, right? Saw a good YouTube video of a basketball coach explaining that, I think it was the women's basketball coach from Louisville," Pagano told Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star. "He was talking about our society today and everybody gets trophies. I thought it was pretty good.

"You can finish fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and everybody goes home happy. That ain't real life. There's only one trophy. There's only one division champ. That's how they're treating it, and that's how we're treating it."

A refresher: The NFL has eight divisions with eight division champions. There is one trophy ... but it's the Lombardi Trophy, not the AFC South division banner.

- With h/t to ProFootballTalk

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