It's unmistakable that the NCAA had a vendetta when handing down sanctions against USC more than five years ago. This week's ruling from a California appeals court was just the latest episode casting doubt on the fairness of the sanctions as well as USC's culpability in Reggie Bush's violations.
Just don't expect for those vacated wins or Bush's Heisman to be reinstated. Regardless of what knowledge former assistant coach Todd McNair had of Bush's arrangement with Lloyd Lake, USC remains guilty by association.
I spoke with a university official today who reiterated what so many fans and even media covering USC seem to lose sight of. While the severity of what happened in the NCAA's eyes is clearly at question, it doesn't change the fact that rules were broken. Bush received improper benefits while a member of the USC football team, which automatically stripped him of his amateur status. The Trojans thus had to vacate every win in which Bush was an ineligible participant, most notably the 2005 Orange Bowl. This is also why he cannot claim, and will not reclaim, the Heisman Trophy.
Even more unfortunate for USC, the penalties levied apart from Bush that could have been avoided are now irreparable. There's no undoing the two-year bowl ban and loss of 30 scholarships. (There's no way the NCAA awards USC extra scholarships in the future because of the advantages that would create.)
Perhaps the NCAA will face some type of legal punishment for its own improprieties in this matter. Maybe USC will someday be awarded a financial settlement. If McNair is innocent then you hope he receives justice as well.
But what the football program and its supporters treasure — official recognition of USC's accomplishments — will not be restored. Fair or not.
Just don't expect for those vacated wins or Bush's Heisman to be reinstated. Regardless of what knowledge former assistant coach Todd McNair had of Bush's arrangement with Lloyd Lake, USC remains guilty by association.
I spoke with a university official today who reiterated what so many fans and even media covering USC seem to lose sight of. While the severity of what happened in the NCAA's eyes is clearly at question, it doesn't change the fact that rules were broken. Bush received improper benefits while a member of the USC football team, which automatically stripped him of his amateur status. The Trojans thus had to vacate every win in which Bush was an ineligible participant, most notably the 2005 Orange Bowl. This is also why he cannot claim, and will not reclaim, the Heisman Trophy.
Even more unfortunate for USC, the penalties levied apart from Bush that could have been avoided are now irreparable. There's no undoing the two-year bowl ban and loss of 30 scholarships. (There's no way the NCAA awards USC extra scholarships in the future because of the advantages that would create.)
Perhaps the NCAA will face some type of legal punishment for its own improprieties in this matter. Maybe USC will someday be awarded a financial settlement. If McNair is innocent then you hope he receives justice as well.
But what the football program and its supporters treasure — official recognition of USC's accomplishments — will not be restored. Fair or not.
