Saying "it is legal" is not enough. College athletics are supposed to train and prepare student-athletes for life after college and sports. Changing numbers just seems low class. It is certainly unethical. There are many ethical standards that have nothing to do with legal standards, but they are equally important in how we get along with others.
USC football should stand for much more than winning. It should also stand for "how the game is played". I thought the Washington game was horrible for not playing by the standards of the past. Going back to Jess Hill and beyond, USC football has stood for persistence and determination. It has stood for hard-fought but fair football. This determination was exemplified by being a second half and fourth quarter team.
Please excuse the double negative, but we should play to win, and not play to "not lose". In Washington, we played to "not lose the game". We should be honest and forthright in how we play the game as well. Changing player numbers is dishonest because USC is telling a lie to anyone watching. Is that how we want to be known for how we play the game? USC is better than that.
Saying "it is legal" is not enough. College athletics are supposed to train and prepare student-athletes for life after college and sports. Changing numbers just seems low class. It is certainly unethical. There are many ethical standards that have nothing to do with legal standards, but they are equally important in how we get along with others.
USC football should stand for much more than winning. It should also stand for "how the game is played". I thought the Washington game was horrible for not playing by the standards of the past. Going back to Jess Hill and beyond, USC football has stood for persistence and determination. It has stood for hard-fought but fair football. This determination was exemplified by being a second half and fourth quarter team.
Please excuse the double negative, but we should play to win, and not play to "not lose". In Washington, we played to "not lose the game". We should be honest and forthright in how we play the game as well. Changing player numbers is dishonest because USC is telling a lie to anyone watching. Is that how we want to be known for how we play the game? USC is better than that.