Reader Says Everyone Does It, So Why Not USC?

The misconception created by Terry Shepard (Viewpoint, August 31) when he referred to USC and Illinois football players as felons cannot go unchallenged.

No laws have been broken! No crimes have been committed! Only rules laid down by the universities themselves through the NCAA have been violated. It’s hardly an occasion for the prison stripes Terry suggests as appropriate uniforms.

I attend football games regularly all around the country and I see players’ tickets sold openly on every campus I visit. They’re in demand because they are good seats. USC’s “crime” is being repeated every game day, everywhere.

The real problems are trying to enforce unenforceable rules, uneven enforcement and ill-conceived penalties. The small colleges dominate the NCAA through force of numbers. They are jealous of their big brothers. Their enforcement of rules smacks of vindictiveness.

ROBERT MURLIN

Whittier