Netflix Lambasted For Highlighting Jeff Foxworthy 'Participation Trophy' Joke In New Comedy Special

Netflix, oft-parodied for hosting standup comedy specials from comedians purporting to drop hard truths that, more often than not, reinforce the status quo, is getting heavily ratioed on Twitter for highlighting a new joke from the famous comedian of yore, Jeff Foxworthy.

In his latest Netflix-exclusive special "The Good Old Days," his first solo effort in 24 years, the former Blue Collar Comedy ringleader indeed recalls the "good old days" when he jokes, "If you wanted a trophy, you had to finish in first place."

There are many mysteries here expressed in reactions from social media users, such as, "Why is Jeff Foxworthy telling a roughly 9,000-year-old conservative joke in his standup special?" and "Why is Netflix highlighting this as a key moment to entice viewers to watch?" While inquirers may never know the answers to these questions, the post nonetheless inspired a brutal roasting on Foxworthy and Netflix's comedy platform on social media.

Jesus F**king ChristThis is just sad. The "participation trophy" trope was old THIRTY YEARS AGO, and even though I grew up in the period in question, I never ONCE saw anyone get a participation trophy.Go back to your "you might be a redneck" shtick, @foxoutdoors. https://t.co/o77tsdcy8Q

— Слава Україні! Jedi 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈♿💛 (@JediCounselor) March 23, 2022

Thank you Jeff Foxworthy for speaking truth!!! Few comedians are brave enough to rip their material from a minions meme a 65 year old middle manager with their education listed as “The School of Hard Knocks” whose profile picture is 70% their chin posted to Facebook in 2014!

— Jesse’s Dwindling Online Presence (@MuskTillDawn) March 23, 2022

None of us asked for participation trophies, and all of us could differentiate between participation trophies and trophies you got for winning. Boomers invented participation trophies, not millennials. https://t.co/DNvhrATBfp

— Rabbit Cohen (@BathysphereHat) March 23, 2022

these days if you said something like that youd be cancelled. rip jeff foxworthy we hardly knew you :(

— thomas violence (@thomas_violence) March 23, 2022

You also used to have to have a solid hour to get a special https://t.co/rcDV4r1f9y

— Ron Funches (@RonFunches) March 23, 2022

As others have pointed out, at least Foxworthy's joke isn't outright offensive, at least in comparison to some other controversial comedians Netflix has recently courted. Still, even though the joke was criticized, at least it inspired plenty of humorous jokes in response.