What was the reason for the young boy's humiliation regarding his sweater?

The young boy's humiliation regarding his sweater stemmed from the fact that it was a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater. In the context of hockey culture, especially among young fans, team allegiance can be a significant source of pride or shame. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rich history and a passionate fanbase, but also a longstanding record of not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967, which can lead to rivalries with fans of other teams. If the boy was in an environment where supporting a different team was the norm or where the Maple Leafs were looked down upon, wearing that sweater could have drawn derision from his peers, leading to his feeling of humiliation.

The other options, while plausible, don't capture the unique cultural dynamics associated with team rivalries and community identity in hockey, which make the boy's embarrassment connected to the specific team he chose to represent with his sweater.