He has always cheated at games and on school work. He once punched my son in the chest so hard that he gave my son an irregular heartbeat and we had to take him to the hospital. My son told me the boy's dad was abusive and asked me not to make the police report that the hospital wanted to, so then I had to deal with hospital staff saying I was an irresponsible parent for not forcing my son to tell hospital personnel who punched him. So, while I empathize with the boy to some extent, I do not particularly like him or find him admirable.

My point also was that you cannot always predict who will be popular and that people can be popular for different reasons. In reference to what the original poster said, sometimes people become popular as a result of being open with their issues and asking for help and support. Some because they always offer support. Some because they do a combination. Some others appear popular for no reason that is discernable to me.