From the biographies I've read, I'm amazed at how many sports stars received similar ego building encouragement from family members as children.
IMHO, this situation is incomparable to what you refer. This is a child that his parents believed would not live, other than through God’s grace alone. They prayed for his life, and if granted, promised to God that his life would be offered to God’s service. The miracle is real, and it is all to God’s glory.