(Columbia) - Former USC football player Moe Thompson is suing the school, according to his attorney.
Lawyer Hemphill Pride released a statement Wednesday saying Thompson has filed an action in federal court against the university and its general counsel, Walter H. Parham.
Thursday, officials with the University of South Carolina said they will not comment on the filing.
Pride's statement says the university didn't follow its own procedure when it dismissed Thompson from the school. His lawyer claims the school responded in a punitive manner, which caused Thompson to not only lose the ability to play for the Gamecocks, but also other colleges. The document also says the university didn't allow Thompson to matriculate at a reduced rate, even though he should have because he has a verbal and reading disability.
Thompson was sentenced in December of 2005 for his role in the attempted burglary of a dorm room on USC's campus. The judge in the case gave him five years of probation. At the time, Thompson's lawyers had tried to argue that the incident was part of a prank.
USC coach Steve Spurrier dismissed Thompson from the team in March of 2005 after he was charged.
Thompson signed a contract with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year. Thompson is not on the team's roster currently.