UCLA Suspends 2 Players

Two more UCLA football players were suspended for the team's first two games of the season for allegedly obtaining and using disabled parking placards unlawfully, the school announced Wednesday.

Senior running back Keith Brown and senior safety Eric Whitfield will sit out the Boise State game Sept. 4 at the Rose Bowl and the game at Ohio State on Sept. 11 for "breaking team rules."

They will join nine of their teammates, seven of whom pleaded no contest to criminal charges in the matter last month and two who are to be arraigned Aug. 25.

Neither Brown nor Whitfield had been charged as of Wednesday.

"Given the evidence developed by the UCLA Police Department during its investigation, we feel it is appropriate to suspend the two student-athletes for the first two games of the season," athletic director Peter Dalis said. "This is consistent with the manner the other students with similar violations have been disciplined."

As with the other players, the school said, Brown and Whitfield will be required to assist in educational programs designed to help raise awareness about the rights and needs of people with disabilities. They could also face additional university sanctions.

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