Advertisement

Oklahoma youngster forced to turn his Michigan shirt inside out at school

A 5-year-old boy learned the hard way that Columbus, Ohio, isn't the only place that hates Michigan -- apparently Oklahoma does too.

Young Cooper Barton wore his favorite Michigan shirt to Wilson Elementary in Oklahoma City and was told it violated the Oklahoma City Public Schools dress code and was asked to turn the shirt inside out. According to the dress code, students are only allowed to wear Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or apparel from another Oklahoma state school. Everything else is a violation (especially Texas).

"They should really worry about academics. It wasn't offensive. He's 5," Cooper's mother Shannon Barton told News9.com.

The dress code also prohibits professional apparel.

This isn't the first time a kindergartener has been asked to ignore their collegiate allegiance. In February, Emma Burton of Olathe, Kan., refused to color a University of Kansas Jayhawk because she and her parents were devout Kansas State fans.

According to the television station, the Oklahoma City Public Schools dress code was created in 2005 as part of a way to rid schools of gangs and gang apparel.

Obviously, it's a little ridiculous to think 5-year-old Cooper was trying to rep his gang colors. His parents are just big Michigan fans and so is he. Consequently, the school district will revisit the dress code policy.

Perhaps it will be overturned so Cooper can rock his shirt for the big game against "Ohio" (as Brady Hoke would say).

More sports news from the Yahoo! Sports Minute:

- - -
"Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday