Dec 18, 2013 01:51 PM EST By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Sam Mcnair, 17, ended up with a year-long suspension from his suburban Atlanta high school for hugging his teacher, Reuters reported.

McNair was suspended from Duluth High School on Dec. 3 after a school hearing officer ruled he violated the Gwinnett County Schools sexual harassment policy.

The suspension could delay the high school senior's college plans.

"He's a senior; he plays football. He was getting ready for lacrosse season, and you are stripping him of the opportunity to even get a full scholarship for athletics for college," April McNair, Sam's mother, told television station WGCL.

The boy's mother said she was dumbfounded to learn of her son's suspension for hugging a teacher because she and her son call themselves "hugger," CNN reported.

Sloan Roach, a spokesperson for the school system, told CNN the suspension was handed down after hearing officers reviewed "known facts" and the student's past disciplinary history - including long-term suspensions that result in alternative school placement

Sam told WGCL he does have a discipline record and previous suspensions but not for sexual harassment.

"I have five months left in my senior year. I don't see why they would take that away from me," Sam told WGCL.

Surveillance video shows Sam placing his arms around the teacher and giving her a hug. The teacher then pushes him away, according to CNN.

Citing a discipline report they obtained, WGCL said the teacher accused Sam of placing his lips and cheeks on her neck. She also said that she has warned him about hugging in the past.

In a WGCL interview Sam said he did not kiss the teacher. He said he has hugged teachers many times before, including this teacher, and has never been warned, Reuters reported.

Sam's mother plans to appeal the school board's decision. She also said the school should have notified her of the incident before suspending him.

A petition was started to get Gwinnett County public school system to overturn their decision. It has more than 4,000 signatures.

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