Kevin P. Chavous: College Readiness Is More Than Academics
Apparently, Sarkisian isn't exactly grateful to Bush for giving him his big break. He recently said that Bush was "acting like an idiot" for giving back his Heisman Trophy last week. Sarkisian might want to sit down and shut up for a second, so I can tell him just how silly he looks.
I am not sure if Sarkisian has a bone to pick with Bush, but it appears that he does. His disdain for Bush is yet another reminder of how everyone at USC seemed to have no problem profiting from Bush's productivity on the field, but were quick to dismiss him when things went wrong. I quietly wonder just how much Sarkisian knew about Bush's side payments and how hard he worked to protest anything that might have kept Bush from keeping his eligibility. The shadow of shame cast on Bush after the Heisman scandal extends directly to anyone associated with the USC program during Bush's time on the field. All the while, I'm one to argue that there is nothing wrong with a $1 million asset like Bush getting a piece of the money he's making for everyone else.
What's also interesting is that beyond the millions made by the NCAA from Bush's abilities, Sarkisian and other coaches saw themselves getting multimillion-dollar opportunities on Bush's back. Because of the stellar season USC had while Bush was a student there, many USC coaches were getting offers from NFL teams, and I'm sure the school saw a substantial boost in revenue from jersey sales, ticket sales and revenue from television deals.
While Sarkisian might consider Bush the idiot for giving back his Heisman, I would imagine that one could define an idiot to be a coach who builds his career off of the demise of young men and then turns around and insults them. His comment was not only one of low class, but it was also embarrassing to the already humiliated football program at the University of Washington. Reggie Bush's career will continue, but with sequential records of 5-7 and 1-2, I'm sure Sarkisian's days are numbered at Washington. So, who's the idiot now?
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (13)
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By: kmaakheru on 9/19/2010 1:13AM
Is this anything new? In all profitable areas black talent is exploited to others benefit until the golden goose is no longer profitable. Unfortunately, blacks are too deluded and divided to take advantage of their own skills and assets. If someday they come to realize that they alone must change their condition by stop groveling to integrate the system of their oppression, this type of reportage will cease to exist. But, alas, all systems have a place for their clowns and entertainers.
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By: ex baller on 9/19/2010 2:27AM
Reggie is still an idiot, for what he did to his team,school,fans.
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By: bro man on 9/19/2010 2:31AM
So if sarkisian`s record was better,he would be right?
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By: Theda on 9/19/2010 10:25AM
Dr. Watkins, thank you!! You wrote this piece and hit the head of the nail! Keep up the excellent work.
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By: black man on 9/19/2010 3:59PM
What work ,his Race Baiting work?
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By: Kimberly Marie Ganter on 9/19/2010 12:18PM
Don't forget about the alumni funding for sports that rolls in like fire-hydrant water when schools perform well.
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By: sharon on 9/19/2010 5:23PM
Really, time out. Reggie Bush, like the majority of Black Male athletes get caught up. They are so enthraled iwth the money, notoriety..and let's not forget the caucasian women, that they actualy BELIEVE they are Invisible.
Sorry, you are and ALWAYS will be a Black Guy in America. No amount of Money will EVER change that!
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By: lily on 9/20/2010 10:05PM
Is it hot in here, or is it just you?
===== BlackwhiteFlirts.c o m =====
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By: Jamaica on 9/21/2010 2:20PM
When you sling mud, you tend to get dirty.
While I'm not thrilled at Reggie Bush's decision to give back the Heisman, or even the act that is the reason why he's chosen to give it back - I would stop short of criticising him. He's not perfect, and when we're young we tend to make mistakes. Yes, he may have been caught up in the hype and the money, but that has nothing to do with race. It's a world that has its own rules and every athelete has been faced with playing them well, or getting burned by them. I applaud him for coming forward and being a man about it. How many of you on here slinging the mud we be just as humble to do the same?
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By: realblkman on 9/22/2010 5:25AM
Reggie Bush is an idiot who got blinded by the white. Then he hooks up with a that ho Kardashian who every man has seen between her legs and bare butt. He broke the rules and took money from drug dealers,pimps and gangster rappers and not worthy of keeping the Heisman Trophy or to set foot back on the campus. Black ball players feel they are getting used and abused at white schools then don’t go to them and be used. The NCAA accepts black boys who can’t read or write but can play ball on a high level. Once there it’s up to the ball player to demand that he get all the help he needs to get a degree. But they don’t because they all think they are going to the pros and make millions when they see only a few ever see a day with a pro team. Even some of them don’t make it. They wouldn’t get through the gates as grounds keepers if they weren’t blessed with athletic skills and even when some do they blow their opportunities because they just can’t stop acting like a gang banging ghetto thug fool. They refuse to go to black colleges and make their team’s great competitions. The pros will come calling. I get sick of hearing about how much money they make for schools yet can't wait to get to them and get a white woman. Who would ever think black boys would go to Notre Dame after the way they treated their first black coach firing him in a humiliating racist way. Not being ashame to say they had to lower academic standards because they are missing out on talented dumb black boys who were being accepted by other schools. And what’s with their poor families are not reaping the financial benefits from the boys talents from the schools. I was dirt poor when I went to college but academically strong, got a partial scholarship, student aid and a part time job during school and full time during summer break. The thought that the school owed my poor family a living would have been absurded. Ball players get full scholarships and perks that other students can only dream of getting and that all they deserve. If they want a salary than go straight to the pros or if family is that poor than stay home and get a job and help them out financially.
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