Illinois botches Terrence Shannon Jr jersey retirement ceremony with hilarious gaffe during unveiling

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How about we try that again, Fighting Illini? 

During a halftime jersey retirement ceremony for University of Illinois great men’s basketball player, Terrence Shannon Jr., the unveiling of his retired No. 0 threads went awry at State Farm Center on Saturday. 

Everything looked great until Shannon’s jersey was upside down when he pulled the cord to show everyone in the arena. 

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Former Fighting Illini player Terrence Shannon Jr. reacts as he reveals his jersey at State Farm Center, on Feb. 15, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Illinois apologized after the gaffe led to a viral moment. 

"Before we get into the substance of the game tonight, obviously, we had a regrettable situation at halftime with the jersey around [Shannon’s] celebration," Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said after the 79-65 loss to Michigan State, per The New York Post. "Obviously, a really regrettable moment. It’s a shame that it happened that way. 

"Of course, I didn’t hang the jersey, but I’m ultimately responsible for everything that happens in this building, and ultimately, that means that was on me tonight. We need to make sure we understand that in life, mistakes happen. But there are also certain moments where mistakes can’t happen. And tonight, we stole that moment from [Shannon] and that’s on us and something that we have apologized to him for, apologized to his mom. We want to make sure that we apologize to our fans and everybody who was excited to be a part of this experience tonight."

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