Before I write anything regarding Reggie Bush, the USC Trojans or the NCAA I will give a full disclaimer; I am a diehard USC Trojans fan and have been for all of my life. I don't believe the preceding is relevant to what I have to say on this subject just I don't believe the dislike that many of you have for USC (due to rooting interests) should be either. To me this issue is about right and wrong along and how we punish people for their indiscretions.
Let's first assume that something went on with Reggie Bush's family receiving some sort of improper benefits; I say assume because it was never proven. Keep in mind the NCAA investigation is not a court of law, there is no evidence presented in public for examination and scrutiny. The NCAA gets to be judge, jury and ultimately the executioner. I find this humorous because outside of boxing, I am not sure I know of an organization in sports more corrupt and self-serving than the NCAA. Let's all keep in mind that this organization makes billions of dollars off amateur student athletes and then they act surprised when a poor kid, without the money to purchase a pizza on a Friday Night takes money from a blood-sucking agent who wants to represent the kid when he heads to the NFL, NBA etc. to make his millions.
If Reggie Bush or his parents received improper benefits, that's wrong. Reggie and his family jeopardized his legacy as one of college football's truly great players. Now I will say that the man who held most of the "evidence" against the Bush's was a convicted felon and former gang member; does that mean he's lying- not necessarily. However, it does make his testimony less than credible.
I want to concede that something happened here so we can move on to the real point of this piece- context. Even if we assume Bush did this and we agree that what he did is wrong, I find it astonishing that this young man, who by all accounts is a fine human being, is being treated like Charles Manson by the NCAA and media throughout the United States. Keep in mind, Bush is a young guy who upon signing his rookie contract in the summer of 2006 watched Hurricane Katrina's aftermath unfold before his eyes while in training camp with his pro team, the New Orleans Saints. What did Reggie Bush do; he donated $1mm to help victims of the hurricane. Does that sound like a self-absorbed professional athlete, a bad person? Again, this action doesn't excuse what he potentially did during the 2005 season while at USC but it puts his actions into context and the bigger picture of his body of work- his life- as a whole.
The NCAA has since required that all references to Reggie Bush be removed from the USC campus- his jersey, his picture, his banner in the Coliseum next to USC's other 6 Heisman Trophy winners. This is where the story makes real life seem like fiction. USC has 6 Heisman Trophy winners besides Reggie Bush; Mike Garrett, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and yes a guy named O.J. Simpson. Yes, that guy the double murdering, armed robber now serving 9 years in a Nevada penitentiary. I know, Simpson was found not guilty of murder but I have $30mm reasons to believe he committed the crime since that is what a civil jury (deciding on a preponderance of the evidence, 12-0 not required) awarded the Goldman family. Considering this civil award against Simpson and that the LAPD never looked for the "real killer", I am going to assume Simpson murdered two people and beyond that was subsequently convicted of armed robbery in Nevada for which he is now serving time.
Here is the funny part; Simpson's jersey hangs proudly in the Coliseum and he remains and integral part of the USC history books. The NCAA has no problem with a convicted felon being a part of the history of one of their "Blue Blood" programs. Keep in mind, this is the USC Trojans, the Trojans of 11 National Titles and most Bowl victories (along with Alabama) not some small school in the middle of nowhere. Better yet, when Simpson gets out of jail in 9-years, he can put on a suit and tie and go to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City for the Heisman ceremony as he is still a proud member of one of sports most exclusive clubs. You think I'm being ridiculous, check it out this is all true.
Context is important for everything we do in life; after all we don't execute someone for robbing $20 of potato chips from the convenient store. For some reason, the NCAA doesn't feel any need for context as they sit in their Ivory Tower in Kansas City dispensing justice upon young athletes and counting money from TV contracts, merchandise sales and other related activities earned on the backs of these kids. Vince Young said it best when asked this week if he would like the 2005 Heisman, "why would I want it, as far as I am concerned Reggie won the award, it's his". At least someone is seeing clearly these days.
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