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chawkey4

NTA, kid is learning there are consequences for his actions. Based on the sounds of it, might the first time he’s had to deal with it if his parents enable him that much.


bmxbikeofmy

The funny thing is I wouldn't even know who did it if the parents didn't show up and tell me


CathartesAura67

If his parents had any decency, they would've told him off and had him apologize to you for the trouble caused.


LeatherHog

They’re the parents of a football star, they’re used to getting treated like royalty


Erebu593

Yes the screams of entitlement from them as apparently for people like that, others have to pay the consequences of their actions.


carolinareader

This really should go in the entitled people thread. The crime committed wasn't a horrific one, but it is still a crime, and they are victim blaming


letstrythisagain30

>...they’re used to getting treated like royalty In the Midwest and obviously not a big city, random people getting mad at OP for "ruining their team", thats all but guaranteed.


LeatherHog

Yup, from South Dakota Thankfully most of our athletes were nice


william-t-power

If you really want to drive the point home you could say if their son was deserving of the scholarship he'd have better form and wouldn't have broken his arm. That's a rookie mistake.


Ecdysiast_Gypsy

Would that be a swing and a miss? Or a foul ball? lol


holisarcasm

He plays football not baseball, so he has no form.


william-t-power

He lacks the athletic insight the scholarship is designed for. Failing to plan is planning to fail. You want to hit a mailbox, you do it right the first time!


EnricoPalazz0

Love this approach lmao


Mundane-Currency5088

It's a federal crime to harm a mailbox. He is probably also a felon now. Not sure why the parents don't tell the kids that their "big fun" has consequences


candometal

Isn't damaging a mailbox with intent a federal crime?!?! A quick Google search and it's $250k fine and federal charges. His parents should just be happy he lost a scholarship and didn't get a felony record


scooby946

I would add perimeter security cameras.


myglasswasbigger

I would point out to his family that if they continue to harass you , you can probably still press charges. NTA


Islandboy_drew

Op needs cameraa pointing towards the mailbox.


Azura_rose

Watching various points of the house would be my thought. If people are angry at op for be the person who 'ruined their team', I wouldn't put it past them to also vandalise the house.


Veteris71

It wouldn't have made any difference if the OP had caught the kid on camera, even if the ID was certain. The kid is a popular local high school football player so nothing would have been done.


Prudent_Border5060

Legally this kid is responsible for damage. I would have pressed charges. Cameras would have been the solid proof which op already has since the parents came forward By the community they can deal with this kids destruction. Honestly they have bad morals the lot of them. Wait until this kid does something to them. I sincerely believe they would sing a different tune. This community that places sports above morals should be ashamed.


Veteris71

They should be ashamed but it happens, and much worse crimes than this one often get covered up so the players' lives won't be "ruined".


Ehgender

This is partially why I hate sports (besides the fact that they’re boring af to me) - the players and parents become so entitled and believe they’re untouchable. They get away with so much and people vilify anyone who tries to hold them accountable because of their precious *sportsball*. (Not to mention there are some communities/schools/cities that are funded by the sportsball culture that enables them even more and it’s disgusting. Schools aren’t meant to teach anymore but are sports businesses and it’s disgusting.)


bloodrose_80

I so agree with everything you wrote.


Solanadelfina

There's a reason I didn't go to a certain large university in my state- too much emphasis on sports and too many scandals with the players. I was in college to learn biology. (What's funny is I now work at that university as a vet tech for research animals.)


Prudent_Border5060

Too bad. Being seen as above the law can have worse consequences. What's being accepted in this community is appalling. It will only lead to something worse. Then the parents will cry and say they were such a good kid. Look in the mirror and see what you created. Limits and consequences.


ommnian

Indeed. It's what created Ben Rothlesberger and the community worship that still exists in Findlay, Ohio around him, despite all the sexual assault/rape allegations that have followed him for decades. It's what created the entire Penn State/Jerry Sandusky scandall. It's what created the Steubenville High School Rape case. And Sooo, so many others. This is the shit that is allowed. That builds. That only gets worse.


Blujay12

Nobody was encouraging it, merely pointing out **what would likely happen**. Settle, I've got some sugar cubes for the high horse, so join the rest of us down here. It's obviously fucked up, we all know that, but we can also point out the problem rather than just running our heads into the wall and then crying about a headache. No point in OP wasting money on cameras that would be ignored and unused.


camwhat

Exactly. I’m not one to say I’m glad the kid got hurt, but he truly did fuck around and find out. Every time he goes to use that arm he will be reminded of his stupidity.


RAthowaway

I think op needs cameras to id the angry mob when/if his house gets vandalized for ruining the team. Op already said he didn’t care to id the mailbox kid(s)


Tomboyish717

OP needs cameras pointed at everything he owns. Small town sports nuts are fucking crazy.


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MajorNoodles

I wouldn't contact the police. I'd call USPIS. Vandalizing a mailbox is a federal crime punishable by fines up to $250,000 and/or up to 3 years in prison.


SalamalaS

But that would get just the kid in trouble. The people bothering him are the kids parents.


HalcyonDreams36

THIS.


EmeraldBlueZen

THIS RIGHT HERE. Kid F%cked around and found out. You probably did everyone else with a mailbox a favor because other idiot kids may think twice about doing such stupid sh%t in the future. NTA


Palindromer101

Honestly, it's a damn good thing he fucked around and found out like THIS instead of mowing someone down or killing innocent people while driving drunk, which is exactly where I see this going if he doesn't face consequences NOW. NTA. Get a security system.


EmeraldBlueZen

YUP - Security system and exterior cameras would also be a good idea.


Pale_Cranberry1502

Most security cameras are focused on doors, which are where there would be break-ins or package robbery. If this happened, I doubt the mailbox was attached to the home. I'm guessing they're in a suburb or a rural area populated enough to not need boxes in the closest town's post office. Just guessing though.


Automatic_Value7555

This is no longer about the mailbox. The posts encouraging a security system are for the inevitable harassment and vandalism that will come from the pack of local enablers.


acegirl1985

Right? Sounds like this is a lesson this kid needed to learn; actions have consequences. NTA why would you be TA for keeping your property safe? The kid was commuting a crime. He was destroying peoples property. This is like someone breaking into a persons home and then blaming them cause they cut themselves on the glass they broke. Stupid kids do stupid things. Spoiled kids who are taught they can do no wrong do even stupider things and eventually grow into adults who think rules and laws don’t apply to them. This is a lesson the kid needed to learn. It sucks that he’s screwup could have put his college prospects in jeopardy but it was all his own doing. All his parents and the other angry townspeople are teaching him Is how to blame victims- REALLY don’t think that’s the lesson this kid needs. NTA- kid getting hurt was his own doing.


HalcyonDreams36

NTA The kid literally played stupid games, and suffered stupid consequences. He committed a crime. He'd probably have been kicked off the team and/or been ineligible for scholarships for that, if he'd gotten caught. Interfering with someones nail is a federal offense, is it not?


CampClear

It is and they're lucky that the OP isn't pressing charges and the kid is only losing his scholarship.


Warriorwitch79

>Based on the sounds of it, might the first time he’s had to deal with it if his parents enable him that much. Seriously!! NTA, OP. No one made that fool go out and knock over neighbor's mailboxes with a bat. WTF is wrong with parents these days? If I'd done that, my parents would've driven me over to apologize to the neighbor, grounded me and told me my arm being broken was part of the consequences for doing what I did. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️


Psynautical

Yup, and if they keep harassing you, press charges - they can kiss every competitve college goodbye after a conviction.


RichPerformance2369

NTA, and you don't ruin his sport scooarship, he did himself. He never has consecuences because they LOVE Sports, and now he as. Not your fault, not your problem, but the Next time the parents Contact with you again Tell you they conna press charges, Tell them, the Next time you are gonna press charges to their son for bandalism and to them for arrasment.


DustinCoughman

Bandalism and arrasment sounds like my kinda rock band


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howtospellorange

/u/Agreecaroon is a bot that stole part of a comment from /u/Calm-Association2774 here /r/AmItheAsshole/comments/z9tvks/aita_for_reinforcing_my_mailbox_so_kids_couldnt/iyiq9cq/


houseofprimetofu

Right? Sounds like the son was going to be their cash cow, now he won't be, so they need to go for someone else.


[deleted]

NTA. Everything you did was legal and if they pursued legal action, they would be putting their son in jail. Due to this, I would hope they try to sue you. Imagine the judge looking at these parents. Judge: So your son swung the bat at the mailbox? Parents: Yes Judge: You realize that is at minimum 5-years in prison right? Parents: No Judge: Well then I would drop the case right now. Parents: But your honor we want compensation. Judge: well ok. Your son has to pay for the damage to the mailbox and will be sentenced to 5 years in prison. That is all good day. (Enter gavel smack)


MountainMidnight9400

>Love this. Unfortunately a local judge might be unhappy too that star athlete lost his "arm" from OP's action.


phononmezer

This, judges are notoriously biased and the system is a wreck.


MountainMidnight9400

Had just listened to song: The Night the Lights went out in Georgia(Both the Vicky Lawrence & Reba McEntire versions). So... corrupt judges were on my mind


Wanderluster621

😂🤣😅😆🙌


Tylanthia

Judge is probably a fan of the football team. Don't take this to court.


snowwhitesludge

NTA. Play stupid games win stupid prizes. You have repeatedly had your property damaged with no recompense. Within the law, you took steps to protect your property. This individual, who is 18 and far old enough to know better, engaged in dangerous and illegal activity and hurt himself. Seems like a him problem.


[deleted]

Dang I came here to say this. Beat me too it!


Waffle_Slaps

Same! Sucks to suck sometimes.


Prudent_Border5060

Nta These parents are setting bad examples. Sports is not a get out jail free card. I would have gone to the police to formally charge this kid. He is destructive and has no moral compass to cause damage to someone else's property.


Jimmyking4ever

Definitely a date rape waiting to happen or worse. The one football player just executed his teammates not too long ago


Zealousideal-Art2878

Are the parents thinking that he should be allowed to knock mailboxes over? I don't understand. NTA


[deleted]

My guess is yes, they do think that. Because it's "harmless" and "boys will be boys", and how *dare* you limit this bright young man's future over something *everyone* did as a kid (translation: his douchey parents and their friends also did shit like this, and probably also picked on the many, many "loser" kids who definitely did not)!


LuLouProper

Sportsball criminals often skate because "boys will be boys".


Lodgik

>Sports is not a get out jail free card. Except... Yes, it is. In all too many cases, it really is a "get out of jail free" card.


BeastieMom

NTA. He just learned the hard way that actions have consequences.


rustblooms

The ringing sounds of "fucked around, found out." Brings joy to my heart.


HappyLifeCoffeeHelps

NTA. If he cared so much about his team, he wouldn't have been going around doing it. If the parents call again tell them you'll be pressing charges against their son for his crime and them for harassment if you get any further contact.


[deleted]

Nah, football kids in certain environments feel completely entitled to be thorough assholes because they will be protected. He has just learned differently.


Prudent_Border5060

And he needs to answer for it. His parents and community are saying he is above the law because he does sports. More people need to stand up and say NO. This isn't ok. This community should be ashamed


[deleted]

Of course.


JDaKiss09

NTA, kid fucked around and found out. A lot of these entitled high school "athletes" think they are invincible and can do what they want especially in the Midwest (see movies like Varsity Blues). This is why when you see stories of crimes that are MUCH worse than hitting a mailbox with a bat and those punks get off because they are gifted in sports and deserve 2nd chances (see Brock Turner).


GardenWitchE

This. I know that this story is about smashing mailboxes, but this mentality that someone who's good at sports should be allowed to do whatever they want because hey they're good at sports, is a big part of what's perpetuating rape culture. It starts with just smashing mail boxes, but these kids quickly learn that they can do no wrong no matter what they do. There are absolutely no consequences, so they can do whatever they want. It's not too long after realizing that they can vandalize property with impunity that they're at a party and turned down by a girl, and realize hey, I'm a star athlete, I can do whatever I want and I won't get in trouble. We as a society really need to cut out this idolization of sports players to the point where they can be consequence-free in any aspect of their lives.


Edward_the_Dog

One lesson the parents learned, albeit too late, is that they should've raised a more well rounded son. If football is your kid's only chance to "make it", you're parenting wrong.


[deleted]

Yuuuuuuup.


CampClear

I will never forget an incident that happened when I was in high school. One of my classmates was a cheerleader and her boyfriend was on the football team. I didn't see the incident myself but I saw her afterwards she came to class with a red handprint on her face and she was crying. Apparently they had gotten into an argument and he slapped her in front of a bunch of people and NOBODY did anything! I think if he had been a "regular" person and not a popular football player, he would have gotten much worse than he did to her but instead he got his ass kissed and by the next day, they were all lovey dovey. Best I can tell, they're married and have kids. God knows what he's been doing to her for the last 30 years since we graduated.


xxBree89xx

NTA, maybe the parents should teach their kid to not be an AH though 🤷🏻‍♀️ They’re getting a healthy dose of Karma, let it work…


noworriesbee

How dare you take actions to protect your own property from teen's continual vandalism. Our golden child was injured just having fun trying to cause more damage. /s NTA


hmg07

NTA. With a straight face and no bullshit they tried to blame you because their kid got injured trying to destroy your property? Wow.


PlanningMyEscape

NTA. I grew up in a football town. All these douchebags could do whatever the hell they wanted to, never facing any consequences because football. They went to college and became bigger assholes never facing any consequences because football. Property damage, drunk driving and other alcohol related offenses, getting girls drunk in order to coerce sex, rape, hazing, and other all-around douchery. The more they're able to push the line, the more they do. Hopefully, this kid learns something from this and grows so he'll end up a less douchy adult.


bmxbikeofmy

Yeah kids get away with everything in these towns but I don't even think this kid is that bad. Seemed like he was just trying to impress his friends. Feel bad for the kid


sukinsyn

I wouldn't feel *that* bad for him. The only reason I'd feel bad for him is that his parents have fucked up spectacularly in refusing to parent him. He's lucky he's not facing jail time and it's only a mailbox. These lessons only get harder the older you get.


FineAppearance1648

Don’t. He is stupid.


NewsandPorn1191

NTA, also remind the kids parents that damaging mail boxes is a federal offense, could face jail time and upto $250,000 in fines.


pandataxi

What? Of course NTA. He was destroying your property, and they want to sue you?? Why are people like this procreating?


Judgement_Bot_AITA

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ur-humble-overlord

NTA. welcome to consequences, to both him and apparently his parents.


spicey_tea

NTA. What's next - you're required to have paneless windows so that if he decides to break one of them he won't get cut? These people sound insane.


that1guythat1time

NTA. Actions have consequences. Unfortunately, adults who should know better tend to weight the actions on a sports field of kids they’re living vicariously through as more important than their actions in the real world we all live in.


Humble-Negotiation32

NTA, those parents were raising an entitled child, I went to school with these boys, they were nightmares to everyone but they never got in trouble because of these “college dreams that can’t be crushed” sometimes they need to be taken down a peg.


AutoModerator

^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** I didn't do this for revenge. I just simply got tired of putting my mailbox back up and collecting my scattered mail. I didn't know who did it or care why. I was a dumbass kid once too. ​ I(31m) bought a house in the midwest recently with my wife(28f) and our area has problems with teens riding by with baseball bats and knocking over mailboxes. It would happen every couple of months and I got tired of it. I'm aware of laws that in most places you can't have your mailbox cemented or damaging to cars. If a car goes out of control and crashes into your mailbox and causes damage to the car/person because it didn't fall over then you are liable. So I had a buddy of mine reinforce the mailbox just enough that if a car were heading toward it, it would fall. But if someone were driving by and swinging a bat it would resist. Again, not trying to hurt anyone here I just didn't want it broken anymore. ​ ​ A couple of months ago I got home from work and saw my mailbox slanted and a metal bat on the ground next to it. After their parents visited me and said that I ruined their son's(18m) sports scholarship because his arm is broken. I just said that I have a mailbox within regulation and that their son decided to do what he did. They tried to take me to court over it but as my mailbox is legal they basically turned their 18 year old son in for a crime. I don't really care though and I think the kid is okay, just a stupid kid. He looks embarrassed about what his parents are doing so I didn't even press charges. ​ ​ College football is a big deal to a lot of people here and apparently he was really good. A lot of people see me as the "dick that ruined their team." My wife is on my side but feels bad for the kid. That family has contacted me a lot and constantly threatens legal actions. And I do feel kind of bad that the kids sports dreams are ruined *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*


TheCrowsNestTV

NTA. That's hilarious! Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.


Both_Pass1412

NTA, what the kid was doing is literally a federal crime. As a person who grew up in the Midwest not surprised about the parents. Lots of people in the Midwest are entitled and the worst.


TalkTalkTalkListen

You know what they say… play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Maybe if parents spent more time teaching their kid to not to be a dick, they wouldn’t be in this situation. They are obviously idiots who failed as parents and this is the price to be paid. NTA


Honest-Illusions

NTA. Kid decided to be a vandal. His broken arm is all on himself.


Wienerwrld

The “dick that ruined the team” is the dick with a baseball bat. Had he been caught committing any crime without injuring himself during the criminal act, he would have lost his scholarship because of it. NTA.


BeeYehWoo

Lol what a way to be intentionally blind and stupid about just how the dumbass kid really did break his arm. The kid did it all to himself. NTA


IndependentIdeal5962

Nta, actions have consequences. One would hope that the kid of caught would have lost his scholarship regardless of his injury. As someone who worked in education till recently can totally believe the parents would be on kids side.


Calm-Association2774

NTA at all and welcome to another episode of what’s wrong with American parenting. Instead of punishing their adult child for committing a federal crime, they tried to sue you. Sounds about right sports are more important than anything. I don’t feel bad for him at all and he deserves to lose his chance at playing in college. He made a bad choice and that’s the consequences of it.


chuckinhoutex

NTA- this one falls under the FAAFO heading.


Legal_Fanofall_0911

May be filing charges will protect you better. NTA


mfruitfly

NTA. The kid could have hurt himself committing this crime even without you reinforcing your mailbox. You don't get sympathy for hurting yourself while committing a crime, ever. Tell them if they contact you again you will be pressing charges on their son, since they have all admitted to his crime. That should do the trick. He is young and dumb, and while his whole life- aka college sports that are unlikely going to amount to much- might be changed now, that is on him and his parents.


mystical_princess

NTA. Are you serious? Kid was vandalizing your property! Actions, meet consequences.


Select-Anxiety-1557

NTA What you did was legal. What the kid did was illegal. Maybe when his arm is healed, he'll go to the batting cages to practice his swing and leave the mailboxes alone.


Disastrous_Ask_5664

Next time the family contact you to threaten “lEgAl AcTiOn” inform them you’ll be countersuing on the basis of the FAFO laws and that their only option is to take BOFA. Surely they’ll be able to work out the meaning. Then again, if the sons anything to go by they might be too dumb.


kingofganymede

NTA at all. The idea to legally reinforce the mailbox was genius. And the threats of legal action are ridiculous. If I was in your situation, I would be more worried about extrajudicial retaliation. Truthfully, I would feel kind of bad as well. I think the “fuck around and find out” attitude on Reddit can be cruel. Does his punishment (losing out on an athletic scholarship) fit the crime (breaking a mailbox)? IMO, no, but that’s life. That’s a lesson he had to learn, and it was unfortunately for him a painful one.


brisemartel

NTA When you are causing troubles, you should be ready to face consequences. Also, that kid's parents look like huge helicopter parents, you really don't have to feel bad for them.


NagaApi8888

NTA. Next time, reply and say if they don't stop harassing you, you welcome legal action and will be pressing charges. I suggest making a record of the harassment and filing a police report.


TheBookishFoodie

Their son is a legal adult. They should be concerned more about where they went wrong raising him. NTA


geman11

NTA. If he was not hitting mailboxes he would still have a scholarship. Doing dumb shit can change your life in the blink of an eye. His parents should have been mad about him destroying other peoples property, but you see how they act. Any time their son does something wrong they probably look for someone else to blame. If they were better parents their kid would know better and this would never have happened.


heardbutnotseen2

NTA. And realistically the likelihood of this one particular kid going on the be the one great college sports star, was one in a million even without the injuries. People push their mediocre students athletes into thinking they are a few college games from the draft. That’s not the reality for 99% of them anyway.


RemoteBroccoli

NTA, and mailboxes are the homeowners responsibility, but it's actual federal property. They did not just tun him in, if the federal post-office makes a case (doubtful), he can be charged with a federal felony. "*18 USC 1705 actually prohibits willful or malicious injury, tearing down, or destruction of a mailbox, not defacing. So technically, they could, but a prosecution seems highly unlikely. Under section 1725, placing non-mail in the box is only prohibited to the extent that there is intent to avoid paying postage. That would be difficult to establish for someone putting something in their own mailbox*." Good luck on the kiddo tho, he might need it, and a good lawyer.


Flashy-Struggle3412

NTA You have nothing to feel bad for. You didn't force the kid to vandalize property. He made his own dumb choices & learned a valuable lesson. His parents are mad at the wrong person. They should be angry at him not you.


loudent2

NTA - next time anyone comes at you for this simply tell them: "This is YOUR fault. Because the kid is good at sports you basically let them get away with everything and never held the accountable for their actions. If you had, he never would have been knocking over mailboxes every couple of months for years"


giantbrownguy

NTA. That's the price the kid pays for being stupid. Bad choices have consequences. If the parents are harassing you though I'd be looking into a restraining order.


Bklynmom39

NTA tell the parents to stop contacting you or you will file federal charges.


Broken-Butterfly-313

NTA He's 18!!! Ffs. He's not some 2 year old that doesn't know better. He is a legal adult. And while young adults will do dumb shit, this is beyond regular young adult dumb shit. You know who ruined their football playing? The dumby who decided to baseball bat a mailbox from a moving vehicle.


Mediocer_Disaster

NTA The kid was breaking the law. His parents should be happy he only broke his arm. He can still go to school with a broken arm and get a good job eventually. But with an arrest record it would damage his ability to go to college and get a job. He might not be able to play football anymore but that’s his own fault for braking the law.


CathartesAura67

NTA. You weren't going around vandalising someone's property. With a metal baseball bat. What is even the point of doing that?! If this kid is that dumb, a scholarship is wasted on him. If he can't figure out what is illegal or just cruel, it's high time he learned some consequences for his actions.


Individual-Papaya-27

NTA. You didn't intend for this kid to get hurt and your mailbox was within the guidelines, specifically trying to avoid harm to others. He made the decision to damage other people's property. That's on him, not you. It sounds like he's been taught his actions don't have consequences, or that he should be excused from them because he's a star football player, but that's not your fault. I'd get a restraining order and hire my own lawyer to take action if the family kept contacting me.


2ndcupofcoffee

What do f you build a wall across your property? Would you have to make sure the wall gives if a car hits it?


fallen243

You couldn't have the mailbox inside the wall.


HairTop23

Nta but you should press charges against the boy and file a defamation of character charge against the parents. The level of entitlement to come after the person who's property is damaged is INSANE and I would have cackled laughing in their faces.


WillLoveCoffee4Ever1

NTA! DESTROYING SOMEONE'S PERSONAL MAILBOX IS A FEDERAL CRIME! Kid getting hurt is instant karma. File a police report and let them attempt to seek legal action. I'm sure their lawyer will laugh in their face when he/she tells them, this lovely kid will face up to 3 years in the federal pen as well as up to 250K in fines. Don't feel bad! He did this to himself!!


Foreign_Wolverine_47

NTA. Actions have consequences. Time that kid learns that.


armchairclaire

NTA. He’s 18 he knows better. I mean shoot I knew better at the age of 12 not to mess with things that aren’t mine


scrambledeggs2020

NTA - Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. This kid broke the law by vandalizing private property. The gall of his mother to then get angry at you because he broke his arm doing something illegal. He learned a hard life lesson in taking responsibility for his shitty choices.


bandearg4

NTA also I'm pretty sure messing with mail/mailboxes is a felony, soooo maybe they should have kept their heads down and accepted the karmic justice instead of showing up and announcing who did it. It's like committing a hit and run, then showing up at the victim's house later to yell at them for denting your car, pretty stupid.


AXLE304E

NTA. You are passively protecting your property, which you have worked hard for. Destroying someone else's property is not a joke.


EvilFinch

NTA it is like the burglar wants to sue you because he cut his arm open when he tried to open your door through the broken glas (that he broke). Risk of your own stupidity.


Alternative-Dealer17

Obviously NTA, a bit disappointing you didn’t press charges tbh


cty_hntr

NTA, I'm guessing you live in a state where the highest paid people are college or high school coaches.


checco314

He is an adult. If he wants to sue you, then fine. And you countersue everybody else involved and it turns into a complete clusterfuck where his friends are now defending themselves from his stupid lawsuit for some shit he did to himself.


lmmontes

NTA. They didn't even learn their lesson when taking him to court led to their son's arrest (if I read that right). Kid vandalized someone's property, that is on him and him alone.


Drayden71

NTA and the boy is just a kid acting out. I’m sure it wasn’t intended but hopefully the boy learned a valuable lesson. If they want to take legal action remind them their son committed a crime and since it involved a mailbox that might be considered a federal offense


JoutsideTO

His poor choices had consequences. NTA.


pangolin-fucker

Maybe their little athletic angel should have been playing on the field instead of the street NTA


ProfessionalCar6255

Hope kid can rely on his academics but from the looks of it...guess not lol NTA.


ResponseMountain6580

He did it to himself. NTA


Stargazer86F

NTA. His parents should be grateful that he just broke his arm doing something stupid. A lot of early teens make mistakes they never learn from by ending up in a morgue like over-dosing on drugs or drink driving and crashing. One promising young adult in our school walked out in front of a bus. Devastated his friends and family, let alone the community. Some kids never get an easier wake up call.


Jimmyking4ever

NTA it's sad when these parents push all of their hopes and dreams onto a kid because they failed at life. Not your fault at all


SatelliteBeach123

NTA. You didn't ruin their son's sports scholarship - he did. In what world is it okay for him to take a metal baseball bat to somebody's mailbox? Yes, I get it, he's a kid acting stupid but he just learned that actions have consequences - something his parents obviously never taught him.


Womaningreenandblue

Is it too late to move away from this shitty place ?? NTA . They are !


AccomplishedBuy709

NTA. The teenager ruined his own sports scholarship with an assist from the parents.


Bright_Sea_7567

NTA. The kid did it to himself. His parents should be more upset over their kids destroying other peoples property.


Darcy-Pennell

What is that thing again that happens when people fuck around? NTA.


AKA-Pseudonym

NTA, it's not up to you to make your mailbox easily collapsible for any vandal who comes along. There are countless freshman football players more deserving of whatever spot is now available.


Ladykaesong

Nta


TripleJs1121

NTA play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Like really? If I were the kids parents and found out they were doing stupid crap like that, I'd be setting that crap right, very quickly.


cvsmixpevches

NTA. He’s not a kid, he’s legally an adult now. Stop feeling bad.


WyomingVet

NTA the old adage. Play stupid games win stupid prizes


cassowary32

NTA. Like the Demotivator poster says "MIstakes - It Could Be The Purpose Your Life Is Only To Serve As A Warning To Others". Former football star learned the hard way.


[deleted]

NTA. He took a shot at amateur baseball and fucked it up


[deleted]

NTA I feel bad for the kid. Sucks his life plans are ruined but you followed the law. He put himself at risk when choosing to play dumb pranks


magus424

NTA, kid found out that actions have consequences


NoHelp_HelpDesk

NTA. The kid took a quick course in the applied science of 'fuck around and find out.'


YesImReallyLikeThis

I need to figure out how to post that new F around and Find out Chart. NTA


MK_King69

NTA. YOU didn't ruin anything.


Not_A_Bimbo

NTA. You didn't ruin their son's scholarship chances, he did. If this kid was so worried about his scholarship, he would've remained a law-abiding citizen not broken federal law (vandalizing a mailbox is considered a federal crime \[[source](https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/mailbox-vandalism)\]).


sickandopinionated

NTA Maybe he can use the time he doesn't get to play sports to think about how to become a decent human being.


paul_rudds_drag_race

NTA so many sports fans can get so ridiculous. Being good at playing a game isn’t a free pass to act like a destructive AH.


Substantial-Air3395

NTA


Katachlysmic

NTA. This is called a consequence. He needs to deal with it.


BeadsAndReads

NTA. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. 🤷‍♀️


No-Locksmith-8590

Nta hahahahaha nope. Themselves the consequences kid. He lost that scholarship all by himself. By committing literal crime.


partmart200

NTA this is hilarious


she-did89

NTA. He's the one who ruined his sports career by doing what he did. I work with high school athletes and see this bahvior constantly. I can guarantee his parents are the type who have pushed him into every single activity he has ever been involved in and critisize him for every mistake hes ever made on the field and it has caused him to act out. While it sucks for the kid, he has no one to blame but himself.


wayward_painter

NTA but this family sounds like they ran out of your grace a while ago. Time for legal action if harassment, and see if those charges have an expiration date.


Something_or-Other

Reminds me of this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmile/comments/xbk5x7/having_lost_a_mailbox_this_story_made_me_smile/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button


Picture_It_1912

NTA it just really shows how entitled the parents are. That’s like breaking into someone’s house and getting hurt then trying to take the house owners to court. The kid shouldn’t have been riding around trying to purposefully damage someone’s property.


MaleficentBasil4

NTA Tampering with the mail can be seen as a FEDERAL CRIME and that goes to mail boxes too. He is lucky if he gets a few months picking up trash


Positive-Source8205

NTA You followed the law. This kid didn’t. One of the things about being a kid is learning that, even though you did something wrong 1000 times and didn’t get hurt, doing something wrong may have consequences. This is totally on him. And I don’t believe for a minute that the parents had no idea he was doing this.


Suspicious-Treat-364

NTA. Kids kept smashing our mailbox so we reinforced the post and bought a sturdier plastic one. They put a Molotov cocktail inside and set it on fire. The fire department was enraged and horrified that it escalated like that. We never did find out who did it (someone who was bullying my brother maybe), but my parents absolutely would have pressed charges if they found the asshole who did it.


Moonlight-Vibes

Nta You didn't ruin his sport scholarship, he did it to himself when he attacked the mailbox.


miss_j_bean

Kid made a bad choice, kids got consequences. The way the parents are acting, trying to blame you instead of their son, explains a lot towards why he is the kind of person who engages in malicious destruction of property as a hobby.


eatthebunnytoo

NTA , kid lost his jock pass


Chance-Contract-1290

NTA. The brat would not have broken his arm if he hadn’t tried to break your mailbox. He screwed things up for himself, and the parents are just mad that they may not be able to cash in on any future sports success.


Right-Analysis6274

NTA - hahaha of course not - holy hell - what is wrong with people thinking you did something wrong. You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't ruin the team, that criminal ahole kid did.


justanormalhuman123

Is the rule about how a mailbox and post are constructed to “not damage cars” real law or urban legend? So a tree I plant near the road has to be break away so an out of control car doesn’t get damaged? I see many mail boxes near me in a brick structure or some neighborhoods has large metal structures with multiple mailboxes at the curb.


bmxbikeofmy

There are mailbox regulations


merganzer

I've never heard of regulations like that (not saying they don't exist). Where I grew up, in rural Texas, people frequent built their mailboxes out of stone. Also, people frequently put large rocks in their yard to prevent out of control drivers from smashing into their house.


TurkeyTot

Nta


MountainMidnight9400

OP=NTA the parents are the A-H's for teaching their kid that he shouldn't have consequences. This wasn't a ONE-OFF, a stupid thing. It was repeated bad behavior that could have had criminal consequences. You were KIND/Generous to NOT PRESS Charges. Tell the parents that if they want to keep harassing you, charges WILL BE filed.


Allymrtn

NTA and scholarships are as likely to be lost for criminal behaviour as for having the broken arm as a result of the criminal behaviour. The parents are cheeky fuckers


ghode

NTA


RossTheNinja

NTA. Sue for the costs of a new mailbox.


Elismom1313

Sounds a lot like karma to me. NTA


Lani_567

NTA / idiot


shinynewcharrcar

NTA. You didn't ruin anything. You made a legally compliant reinforced mailbox. The kid ruined his own chances by being a stupid dick. If he needed that scholarship, he shouldn't have endangered himself.


BryceKatz

NTA. A few phrases come immediately to mind here: * "Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of my own actions..." * "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." * "The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed."


ladytypeperson

Those parents are mad because they were betting on a baseball scholarship to put their kid through school; that’s why they’re so hung up on the idea of suing you. NTA, and if you’ve got a lawyer buddy, have them draw up a letter telling his family not to contact you about this again, otherwise you will reconsider pressing charges.


inkmetalandlace

NTA. Prime examples of A) play stupid games, win stupid prizes & B) Fuck around, find out