10th Loss to the Irish Seems to Be Last Straw for USC Football Fans

It isn’t unusual for a broadcast company to hire an unabashed booster to announce a local team. But when the play-by-play man, Tom Kelly, is so subjective as to make the former USC coach and color commentator seem the voice of reasoned restraint, Prime Ticket fumbles its professional obligation. In addition to sounding more resentful of Reggie Brooks than admiring his exciting, remarkable game, Kelly constantly whined about the refereeing, which Prime Ticket’s own replays (and John Robinson’s indications) showed to be favoring USC at least two bad calls to one. Mr. Kelly ought to be reminded that we thousands of Notre Dame fans are among his audience, too.

And neither Kelly nor six pieces by The Times’ own team of partisans chose to mention the disgraceful sportsmanship shown by USC players at the end of the game, when most of the team ran off the field rather than congratulate the Irish at midfield.

Granted, 10 bitter pills are an overdose, but childish behavior should not be ignored by The Times’ writers, as their silence constitutes consent.

GREGORY SOLMAN

Los Angeles