Why, Reggie, Why?

Reggie Bush, arguably one of the best players to ever wear a Trojan uniform, was a god at USC. As an incoming freshman in 2005, I had inherited one of the strongest football teams that college football had ever seen. Among the laundry list of offensive weapons that that particular team had, Bush was easily the most dangerous. Each time Bush touched the ball, you were forced to hold your breath from fear of having it taken away. Unfortunately, even gods make mistakes.

Back in 2006, rumors surfaced about the possibility that Bush and his family had broken NCAA rules by accepting improper benefits from prospective sports agents. A lawsuit was filed against Bush by sports agent Lloyd Lake, who claimed that Bush and his family had accepted almost $300,000 in financial benefits during his career at USC. According to NCAA legislation, an athlete must retain his amateur status in order to compete for his respective school. An athlete loses his amateur status if he uses his athletic skill for financial compensation in any form, or if he accepts any promise of pay, even if it comes after his collegiate career is over. According to the allegations of the suit, Bush and his family had started asking for money in late 2004, claiming that they had fallen on financial troubles and were no longer able to support the particular lifestyle they wished to have...

Supreme Court Judge Joan Lewis recently denied a motion brought by Bush’s attorneys to settle the lawsuit through confidential arbitration as opposed to a public trial. This spells good news for the NCAA, which will have greater access to evidence from a public trial.
However, even if Bush is found guilty of accepting improper benefits while competing as an amateur collegiate athlete, it remains to be determined whether the University of Southern California will be punished as well.

Back in 2001, the NCAA amended its policies that relieved some of the responsibility that schools bore for their amateur athletes who are constantly approached by agents and organizations. The deciding factor on whether or not the University of Southern California will be punished will be how much the university knew of Bush’s actions, and when they knew it by.

If Lake’s allegations are found to be correct, Bush will almost undoubtedly be found guilty of breaking NCAA regulations. What IS debatable, however, is how exactly Bush and USC should be punished for their wrongdoings. According to experts, if Bush and USC are both found guilty of breaking NCAA regulations, Bush may have to give up the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005, and USC may have to retrospectively forfeit games won in 2004 and 2005. Most importantly, USC may have to cough up the national championship they won in 2004 by defeating Oklahoma.

In my opinion, the punishment should always fit the crime. NCAA rules are very specific about an athlete’s amateur status. If Bush and family are found to have accepted improper financial assistance while Bush was supposedly an amateur athlete at USC, he will be found to have forfeited his amateur status at USC, meaning he was never eligible to play football for USC. It would thus make sense for Bush to relinquish his Heisman Trophy from 2005, likely handing it over to Vince Young. And since it is alleged that Bush’s family began accepting improper finances in 2004, it would also make sense for USC to forfeit their national championship in 2004 for suiting up a non-amateur running back.

As a Trojan myself, I will be the first to express my disappointment at the emergence of these allegations against Reggie Bush. But I will also give my fellow Trojan the benefit of the doubt, and will choose to believe nothing until all the evidence is revealed at the trial.