Kid mocked for homemade Tennessee shirt gets heartwarming response from UT; faith in humanity restored
A heartwarming story during this bye week. A young student in Florida wore a homemade Tennessee Vols shirt to school for collegiate pride day, and was left in tears after some students mocked him for it (he attached a piece of notebook paper that said "UT" to a plain orange tshirt). His teacher decided to contact UT about it, and not only did the school send him a full box of Vols swag, but they actually designed an official UT shirt for their store that's based off the kid's homemade design. I'm as cynical as they come, but I'll be damned if this didn't make me a little misty eyed on a Monday morning. Hats off to UT on this one.
September 9th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
Being a Tennessee fan will traumatize that kid far worse than the bullying over the long term. There should be an intervention.
September 9th, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
I hope the parents of those kids are ashamed.
September 9th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Thousands of kids probably produce better designs than that every day, and never get any recognition for it. This kid cries about his and gets it made into an official shirt. Tennessee is teaching kids the wrong lesson here.
September 9th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
Well done UT and even more props to the kid for popping back up after getting knocked down.
September 9th, 2019 at 12:24 PM ^
The "official" UT release shirt turned out great. I would wear a similar M shirt happily. The design looks like something a pretentious NYC designer dreams about for his/her $200 t shirts. I have always viewed Tenn as being closer to the dark than the light, but they've won this skeptic's respect.
September 9th, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
Frankly, we should aim the mgomoneycannon and buy a ton of those shirts.
September 9th, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
If the UT football coaches are smart, they bring in this kid and make him an honorary captain for a game. They buy each team member one of these shirts and remind them that there are fans big and small who love the school, the game, and the players. Playing to get yourself into the NFL is one thing. Playing for a cause and a kid who looks up to you will rev you up more. Could turn their season right around...
September 9th, 2019 at 1:06 PM ^
You're not the only one. Per their Twitter, demand has crashed their site. Great story. I get it. If this was Michigan instead of Tennessee I'd buy one and wear it until it was threadbare.
September 9th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
I HATE Rocky Top, and I'm happy they are 0-2.......but today, I applaud UT and everyone involved in this great gesture......
he's from Florida too. One dedicated young fan.....
Except I won't buy a UT shirt.......I'm going to make one like the kids shirt....orange shirt with paper logo......
September 9th, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
When I was in second grade, in 1965, team apparel was not a big deal. However, that did not stop me from taking a blue marker to a white t-shirt to make a Cazzie Russell jersey.
It did not go well, 'Michigan' and '33', were not centered and they slanted up from left to right. To make matters worse, my Mom was not amused that I put marker to clothes.
To right this childhood trauma, I would like Michigan to send me a bunch of apparel. ;-)
September 9th, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^
Great story. My experience, Mom’s in 60s support clean clothes more than creativity
September 9th, 2019 at 3:50 PM ^
I wish I would have seen this before Saturday. I might have not rooted for them to lose to BYU . . .
September 9th, 2019 at 5:12 PM ^
Seems Rich Eisen agrees with me!
He should do it for every school and every school should do it for the same cause. I’d take one and wear one for @UMichFootball https://t.co/fWkbQOq9Hd
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 9, 2019