Kevin P. Chavous: College Readiness Is More Than Academics
Reggie Bush is about to make history once again. Sources say that the Heisman Trophy Trust will strip the former University of California running back of his Heisman Trophy. In the 75-year history of the award, Bush would be the first player to have it taken back. The report says that the decision will come down by the end of the month.
Back in June, the NCAA found the University of Southern California in violation of NCAA rules because of knowing and doing nothing about Bush's receipt of cash, gifts and other benefits as a student-athlete. The NCAA determined that Bush was ineligible for part of the 2004 season and all of the 2005 season, when he was awarded the Heisman Trophy.
The University of California's punishment for the violation includes victories from late 2004 to 2005 being vacated (plus the school's Orange Bowl victory in 2005), the loss of 30 athlete scholarships over the next three years and banishment from participating in any bowl games for the next two seasons.
Bush has yet to respond to the report, but earlier this year he was taken aback by the punishment his alma mater was receiving, although he didn't admit to any wrong-doing:
"This thing, regarding USC and the NCAA, is the closest thing to death without dying because I have such a great love and respect for the university," Bush told the Associated Press back in June. "This has been one the toughest things I've had to deal with in my life. I believe that there's a lot of untold truth to this matter, there's a lot of fabricated lies to this matter, but it is what it is, and I can't sit here and cry about it. I can't sit here and make up excuses. Ultimately, it's a responsibility that's placed on USC and my shoulders. It's because of me. So all I can do is continue to try to help them and move forward with the situation. God works in mysterious ways and at the end of the day I think this, too, shall pass and hopefully we can grow stronger from this."
Comments: (14)
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By: mswll4 on 9/08/2010 3:44PM
@SONYA, This is not a race issue. THIS COLORED GUY knew the rules.
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By: Marmalade on 9/08/2010 4:11PM
Hey, d*ckcheese. It's "black," not "colored."
True, Bush played himself out by accepting the gifts. However, ALL OF THE ATHLETES DO IT. I knew athletes in college who took gifts with no shame to their game. Bush is just the one they decided to dethrone. NCAA has its rules, and no one really listens. I wonder who he pissed off in order to get snitched on.
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By: Igby on 9/08/2010 4:26PM
Bush is responsible for the bad choice he made. However, this is America and racism has never taken a holiday. Were this a white athlete, would they be as likely to take the Heisman from him? It is a fair question, not an excuse.
If you study the panorama of America's history, you'll conclude that the black male athlete receives fickle respect from the media and fans. As long as he is the antithesis of white male fears (someone they can control) he is on their good side and his transgressions go pathologically unnoticed; the minute he steps out of line and no longer acts like their "boy," they kick the pedestal right out from under him and kick him when he is down.
This is just history repeating itself. While Bush is accountable for his choice, and he is not the only athlete to break the ethical rules. He's just the one who got caught.
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By: Donna on 9/08/2010 10:24PM
I agree...this has nothing to do with racism..it has to do with following the rules...and he knew the rules.....!!!!!!...so get over it!!!!
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