Maryland Student Reprimanded for Wearing Terrell Suggs Inspired Ball So Hard Sweatshirt

A 12-year-old student was reprimanded for wearing a “Ball So Hard University” sweatshirt to school, Bel Air Patch reports. The “Ball So Hard University” phrase was popularized by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who on Sunday Night Football introductions said his alma mater was “Ball So Hard University.” His statement was a joke (and reference to a Jay-Z and Kanye West song), and it immediately became a trending topic on Twitter.

The 7th grader who wore the sweatshirt to school was confronted by an assistant principal at his Southampton Middle School and told to either take it off or turn it inside out. The school told the boy’s father that the shirt sent a mixed message and that the phrase had been banned.

The decision left the boy and his father confused considering the sweatshirt said “Ravens Nation” and had Ravens symbols on it. It was clearly an article of clothing supporting the team, not one suggesting bad language.

“I understand banning clothing that promotes violence or drugs or foul language, I get that,” the boy’s father said, “But a sweatshirt that is clearly promoting our team that everyone is excited about having in the playoffs is absolutely appropriate.”

The school has reversed its decision and decided that the sweatshirt is no longer a problem.

I really have to wonder how someone gets in trouble for wearing a sweatshirt like that, but a kindergartner can wear a t-shirt like this without pause.

Thanks to Deadspin for sharing the story.