I would absolutely make fun of him if he did it shirtless in the freezing rain, sporting a Born To Coach tramp stamp.

I know this really struck a nerve for you, but quit trying to make yourself a victim. Nobody is mocking players for showing the work they put in; what's being mocked is the ridiculous backstory they feel compelled to add to make their effort seem greater than others'. You, as a parent, may think that's completely badass, but it's really demeaning to the real work they're putting in.