Highlights
- In a world where it is difficult to find positive portrayals of married families, the Schefflers not only display commitment to each other but true enjoyment of marriage and parenthood. Post This
- Instead of a spectacle of professional success alone, Scheffler’s example proves that being a husband and father provides even greater joy. Post This
- While the most successful or “elite” Americans benefit greatly from family stability, it is rare that they publicly encourage others to follow this sequence. Post This
A new Nike advertisement—featuring golf champion Scottie Scheffler and his toddler son—is winning applause on social media, signaling the profound pro-family influence that athletes can have. The ad was released following Scheffler’s fourth major win at the 2025 British Open and congratulated the 29-year-old golf phenomenon on his wins “on and off the course.”
Scheffler is at the top of the golf world, but he takes every chance he gets to talk about what really matters to him. "I'd much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer," Scheffler told the media ahead of The Open Championships last week. "At the end of the day, that's what's more important to me." Outlets from Sports Illustrated to The New York Times have spotlighted how Scheffler’s values seem to propel him to greatness at home and in his career.
A highlight of watching sports is seeing players celebrate with their families. Scheffler is known for being calm and collected, uninterested in the frills that accompany fame. On Sunday, his usual demeanor prevailed through the 18th hole where he sought to maintain a four-stroke lead. He was impressively calm as he made the final putt that would seal the victory. But it was his family—his wife Meredith and son Bennett—who lit up the golfer’s world. Seeing his family come towards him brought out a new level of emotion rarely displayed by the serious competitor. The family of three relished the moment together, and Meredith and Bennett would stay at Scottie’s side throughout the trophy celebration and press conferences.
Scheffler and his family are a breath of fresh air for those who share the golfer’s perspective on the rewards of home life. In a world where it is notably difficult to find positive portrayals of married families, the Schefflers not only display commitment to each other but true enjoyment of marriage and parenthood. Their example speaks volumes to the millions of young people who are watching and hopefully learning about how to really achieve a happy life. Instead of seeing a spectacle of professional success alone, Scheffler’s example proves that success as a husband and father provides even greater joy.
“This is not a fulfilling life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart,” Scheffler shared in an interview last week. “Faith and family are far, far more important.”
Other high-profile athletes have also used their spotlight to honor the family members that support them behind the scenes. For example, 2025 Master’s champion Rory McIlroy celebrated his win in April alongside wife Erica and daughter Poppy. But the heartwarming instances of happy family celebrations in professional sports are not reflected ubiquitously among viewers. In reality, only about half of children in the United States are living with married birth parents by the time they are in high school. Ambivalence and uncertainty about the desirability of marriage and parenthood is at a record high among young people. Fewer children are being born as more people decide they “just don’t want them.”
The prominence of positive images of marriage and family among professional athletes reflects the fact that those with high levels of education and income tend to have the highest levels of marriage and family stability and to spend the most time with their children. IFS Senior Fellow Brad Wilcox makes the argument that while the most successful or “elite” Americans benefit greatly from family stability, it is rare that they publicly encourage others to follow this sequence. Scheffler has displayed the benefits of marriage and family in his actions and in his words, emboldening others to do the same, and it’s refreshing to see Nike pick up on this theme in its recent ad.
Scheffler stands out because his commitment to family is evident in the highs and lows of his professional golf career. What is even more striking is his enjoyment of his family—demonstrating that investment in marriage and fatherhood are the ultimate markers of a happy—and successful—life.
