Reggie Bush

     Reggie Bush and his family are now being linked to over $250,000 in cash, gifts, and rent during his tenure at USC.  Some of this is easily proved, while other information is being collected.  Reggie alone was given hotel stays, travel, and even a car.  Everyone seems to know he did it.  Carroll and the entire USC are taking a major distancing stance from him (He was refused a sidelines pass to the Rose Bowl).  He even acts guilty, although he says he is innocent, by not cooperating with the NCAA investigation. 

     The actions Bush and his family are accused of are clear violations of several NCAA bylaws, including ones that state athletes and their families cannot accept benefits from agents or marketing reps. (12.3.1.2) and athletes cannot receive special treatment because of an athletes payback potential (12.1.2.1.6).  The punishment for committing these infractions is clearly stated as ineligibility.  Which means if his college career is considered ineligible, USC would have to forfit the Championship it had won (with Bush) in 2004.  Also he could lose his Heisman trophy as they state that the athlete has to be compliant to NCAA rules. 

     USC is playing dumb about the whole deal, although they can't deny that Michaels (one agent involved) was on the sidelines during an USC game, another violation.  USC stands to lose what it had won, but potentially more in the future.

     It will be interesting to see how much backbone the NCAA will have at the outcome of this investigation.  If even half of it is true, USC and Bush should have the games declared ineligible.  NCAA did it with Michigan's basketball team, which involved 4 players for around $600,000.  Per player dollar amount, Bush wins.  They (UM) lost several seasons of post-season records (including one final four) and many future seasons of post season play.  The only difference is that the coaching staff of Michigan were more hands on with the donor, while USC was smarter, and choose to look the other way. 

It would be nice to see the NCAA be consistent with its policy making (hostile vs non-hostile indians).  Could you imagine the NCAA removing the tiltle from USC.  I don't think they would because of the PR nightmare, but, If they put the hammer down on Bush and USC, it would restore a lot of confidence in the perception of the organization.  If they don't, then why do they exist?  The arguement of the colleges and coaches making way to money from 'cheap' labor is a topic for another day.

Interesting sidenote is that a lot of the reporting is from Yahoo sports (where my info is from) and other 'B' list news.  Is it because ESPN, USA Today, and the AP are afraid of the NCAA, or at least afraid of losing their press passes?  Is the NCAA keeping this story quiet by bullying the 'big three'?  So much for unbiased journalism.