Scandal with Reggie Bush results in very first Heisman forfeiture in history

USC running back Reggie Bush tore up the gridiron in 2005. Despite his team’s loss to Texas in the title game, Bush burned up the stat sheets all year long. 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 cash and gifts from two professional agents, Bush and his family violated NCAA rules for amateur athletes. The 2005 Heisman Trophy was forfeiture. USC also felt the sting in the form of penalties.

Reggie Bush scandal explodes throughout his junior and senior year

Under investigation for the Scandal with Reggie Bush, USC waited with baited breath for four years for the NCAA Committee on Infractions to rule. USC now faces four years probation, which wipes away the possibility of bowl game births over that span. Adding insult to injury, the university has also been forced to give up 30 athletic scholarships over the next three years. Current players and recruits have also been given the green light to transfer to an additional school without being penalized by the NCAA, as outlined by the new York Daily News. 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 salary cap’

Coach Kiffin chided the NCAA’s ruling, saying that it creates something akin to free agency, which violates operating 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 after the final day of add-drop. It makes for a difficult situation”.

A good season would lessen the pain for USC

Matt Barkley, USC’s promising sophomore quarterback, may be able to help University of Southern California overcome adversity in 2010. However it probably will not be easy, as the media spotlight will shine as the vultures search for a carcass. Barkley is realistic about the situation, nevertheless. He told the Daily News that “I signed (at USC) because it was the best chance for me to get to the league”. Kiffin easily began to worry that Barkley would head to the National football league before his senior period, and Barkley’s response was not entirely reassuring.

USC could have to wait and see whether the Scandal with Reggie Bush has indeed rocked the giant of a team from its exalted position atop the college football beanstalk.

More on this topic

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