Reggie Bush was on top of the college football world at the USC in 2005. Bush’s gridiron excellence – which earned him the Heisman Trophy – was not enough to carry his team past Texas within the title game, but his brilliance was evident. But none of this prepared University of Southern California for what was soon to come. A Reggie Bush scandal involving pro agents sent the NCAA Committee on Infractions into motion. For accepting money and gifts from two professional agents, Bush and his family violated NCAA rules for amateur athletes. The 2005 Heisman Trophy was forfeiture. For USC, the 2005 season is now unofficially memoria non grata – an unwelcome memory.
Scandal with Reggie Bush ensues him to the National football league
Under investigation for the Scandal with Reggie Bush, University of Southern California waited with baited breath for four years for the NCAA Committee on Infractions to rule. USC is now under probation and can’t participate in bowl games for four years. Not only that, however Southern Cal loses 30 athlete scholarships over the next three seasons. The brand new York Daily News reports the NCAA has agreed to allow current and prospective University of Southern California players under letter of intent to renege and transfer without being penalized. Some players have jumped ship and more may follow, leaving new USC head coach Lane Kiffin with his work cut out for him.
'Like free agency without a cap on salary’
Coach Kiffin likened USC’s current situation with players and recruits to free agency in college football, which technically does not exist, as players must not be paid if they’re to maintain their amateur standing (and hence eligibility to play under NCAA rules). ”We’re dealing with free agency with no salary cap on our players,” Kiffin told the media. ”They can leave anytime to go anywhere and they can play right away. There’s no cut-off date until following the final day of add-drop. It makes for a difficult situation”.
USC desires a fast start to this year’s season will erase doubts
Matt Barkley, USC’s promising sophomore quarterback, may be able to help USC overcome adversity in 2010. However, media scrutiny will be intense as the school tries to pick up the pieces following the Scandal with Reggie Bush. But Barkley seems to be free of illusions. ”I signed (at USC) because it was the best chance for me to get to the league,” he told the Daily News. When Kiffin responded to the statement by asking Barkley if he prepared to remain with the team through his senior period, the young quarterback said, “Yeah, hopefully. We’ll see”.
Within the meantime, USC will take the wait-and-see position on their 2010 period. The Scandal with Reggie Bush might be devastating.
Further reading
Babble
blogs.babble.com/famecrawler/2010/09/07/details-of-the-reggie-bush-scandal/
Los Angeles Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/26/sports/la-sp-crowe-20100827
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/sports/college/2010/08/21/2010-08-21_usc_looks_to_wipe_away_bush_scandal.html
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Bush
No comments:
Post a Comment