Feel-good story of the day

[fyo]

A 10-year-old kid spent his savings (a pretty impressive $8.5k) on The Fridge's SB ring and returned it to him. I'm a sucker for these feel-good stories (no, "Tsunami-Dog Reunited with Owner" doesn't count):

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f1f46d/article/boy-10-uses-savings-to-return-super-bowl-ring-to-the-fridge?module=HP_headlines

[CF DolFan]

That is a good story!!  I didn't realize how messed up Perry was. As much as I love football there is no doubt it has side effects and we are just beginning to understand the effects on the brain. I have to wonder if this auto immune thing is related?

[Landshark]

Perry always was lacking in discipline.  That's how he ended up the way he is now.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

WTF. 

Totally irresponsible of the parents (well the mother) to allow a child to spend $8,500 of a COLLEGE SAVINGS FUND to waste on something not related to college. 

[Phishfan]

Touching story, but I have a few comments. I agree with Hoodie and the child's father (apparently the mother is a bleeding heart) I would never allow my child to use his college fund in this way. If he decides against college at the appropriate time, I'd give him the money to do as he sees fit (with my preference of college being known) but allowing a 10 year old to spend the money this way is foolish.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^ I am not sure I would go with "as he sees fit" 

If he wanted to spend it to go to a trade school instead of college - sure.

Wanted to use it to start a business.  (e.g. wanted to use the money to buy a large lawnmower and other items to start lawncare business) I would let him know I preferred college. 

If he wanted to use it on a trip to Vegas or buy a sports car, he would be told the money will be sitting in the bank waiting for him, when he decides to pursue higher education.  If he got a job was responsible and now in his mid-20s and it was clear he wasn't going to college nor really need to cause he got a decent job anyhow and was saving money, and wanted to use this as part of his downpayment on a house...yeah then he would get the money without school. 

"As see fit" for a 18 year old could just be a really large quantity of pot. 

[Sunstroke]

One might argue that the lesson he learned about "doing for others without thought of self-gain" could be as valuable to this kid's overall life education as $8,500 worth of classes at the local U...

But then again, I probably would have been the cautionary tale that Hoodie mentioned...and just bought a really large quantity of pot.

[Phishfan]

^^^ I am not sure I would go with "as he sees fit" 

If he wanted to spend it to go to a trade school instead of college - sure.

Wanted to use it to start a business.  (e.g. wanted to use the money to buy a large lawnmower and other items to start lawncare business) I would let him know I preferred college. 

If he wanted to use it on a trip to Vegas or buy a sports car, he would be told the money will be sitting in the bank waiting for him, when he decides to pursue higher education.  If he got a job was responsible and now in his mid-20s and it was clear he wasn't going to college nor really need to cause he got a decent job anyhow and was saving money, and wanted to use this as part of his downpayment on a house...yeah then he would get the money without school. 

"As see fit" for a 18 year old could just be a really large quantity of pot. 

Hence my statement of "at the appropriate time". I wouldn't just release the money to a kid that graduated yesterday and wanted to go on vacation.

[StL FinFan]

WTF. 

Totally irresponsible of the parents (well the mother) to allow a child to spend $8,500 of a COLLEGE SAVINGS FUND to waste on something not related to college. 

This.
If the child wanted to do some good, donate money to hurricane relief or something that will help more than just one.  Apparently, they thought it was the right thing to do but I don't get it.  If my kids get their college money to go to college, unless they get a scholarship, in which case, they can have the money no strings attached.

[bsfins]

The problem I have, I'm not sure if I saw it in the link posted,but in the Yahoo article...It mentioned, it was a replica ring....

From the Yahoo article...
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Boy-10-buys-then-returns-Refrigerator-Perry-?urn=nfl-wp819

A sports collection website rains on the parade a little by pointing out that Perry's ring sold three years ago at auction for $27,000 and it's unlikely the price would have dropped so much since then. Even if Cliff's ring was a replica though, it doesn't change the kindness behind his action.

If it's not the original ring, I have a problem with it...

[Phishfan]

I thought $8500 sounded low for what I expected a player's SB ring to go for. Being a replica makes this story even worse for me.

[Brian Fein]

The a-hole who sold it to the kid should be ashamed.  Selling a replica ring for $8500 is straight up theft.  May as well sneak into the kid's room at night and steal his piggy bank.

[masterfins]

Too bad this kid wasn't around for OJ Simpson, then maybe he wouldn't be in jail now.

[fyo]

The a-hole who sold it to the kid should be ashamed.  Selling a replica ring for $8500 is straight up theft.  May as well sneak into the kid's room at night and steal his piggy bank.

Unless the seller stated that it was a replica, it would be fraud. Then there's the issue of whether or not a replica SB ring in and of itself would even be legal. I doubt it. They are creative works and thus subject to copyright (in addition to possible trademark and "design patent" issues).

Clearly, selling such an item would be illegal.

[Brian Fein]

I have a replica World Series ring from the Marlins.  I doubt they are "illegal" per se, but I watch enough Pawn Stars to know that no replica anything is worth $8500, ESPECIALLY when the original is worth $27000.

A flawless replica of the Hope Diamond MIGHT be worth $8500.

I hope people break into the seller's home and rob him blind.  Greedy a-hole.