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Teams, Intelligence, Players, NCAA, Blogs
Teams, Intelligence, Players, NCAA, Blogs Monday
01May
Keeping Focus
Monday, May 1, 2006 at 02:25PM A lot of accusations concerning USC have hit the presses. More are certain to arrive.
But something I've been focused on since the beginning, and eventually everyone else will need to focus on concerning USC's and Reggie Bush's role in this---is proof.
I was watching the movie Training Day recently and several times in the movie Denzel Washington's narcotics officer character commits a string of crimes---robbing a friend, killing innocent people, and otherwise doing evil things. However, he's able to evade punishment because he's crafty and follows one basic principle:
it's not what you know, it's what you can prove
For the Reggie Bush story, every single allegation may be true... but somewhere along the line there's going to have to be more concrete proof to seal his fate.
That goes for all the other accusations about USC that are floating out in the public eye. At some point people will start discussing punishments and sanctions---but however well-sourced, the NCAA will need something more concrete and tangible. I think that's what HP alludes to here.
Los Angeles was the perfect setting
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Reader Comments (2)
Sanchez - Still waiting for the proof, but since this is a serious criminal case, the evidence won't be out in the open for a little while. This is a definite wait and see situation. However, there definitely is proof that he engaged in activity common on a college campus, ie, underage drinking and having a fake ID. Fact is, though, its considered against the law and he should be punished like every other under-age college student who gets caught.
Leinart/Jarret - I think there has been ample evidence/proof that Jarret was getting a good deal on his living arrangement. Its now up to the NCAA to determine what kind of a violation this would be. But the whole case kind of takes away from feeling sorry for Leinart for passing up the NFL's millions and returning to college for his senior year. Remember that interview where he lamented not having the money to buy his girlfriend a decent birthday present and how he would have to drive a beat up truck for another year? Not really feeling that bad for him now that you find out that his dad can afford a $4K a month apartment for him.
Bush - What evidence/proof are you looking for? I think its becoming pretty clear that his family wasn't paying for the house they were living in or they would have been as quick to produce cancelled checks, money orders, or receipts as Bob Leinart was to offer his.
Pun totally intended, but you can't have much more "concrete" proof...
But yeah, the point is gotten. Haters shouldn't count their chickens, and there's plenty that could get explained.