The Disappearing Scandal of Reggie Bush

There was a scandal just three years ago that should have rocked the world of college football, and the USC Trojans. Yes, I am talking about the Reggie Bush scandal.

Bush was a star tailback at USC. He won the Heisman trophy in 2005 and started on USC’s national championship team in 2004. However, there was substantial proof that Bush and his family accepted over $100,000 of improper benefits while still playing at USC.

But, the NCAA simply slid the case under the rug, and after a while, it was like it never happened at all.

Why? Well, the answer to that question is actually pretty simple, but we’ll get to that in a little bit. Right now, let’s review all the allegations and evidence against Reggie and his family for those of you who don’t know about them, or if you forgot like the NCAA.

Two sports agencies wanted to sign Bush and handle his contracts and endorsements. They were Mike Ornstein, his current agent, and Michael Michaels and Lloyd Lane of New Era Sports and Entertainment, who were planning to make Bush their first client.

Documents and on-record interviews show that Bush and his family received benefits from Ornstein.

Reportedly, they were given round-trip tickets from San Diego to Oakland in November of 2005. They were for Bush’s step-father, LaMar Griffin, his mother Denise, and his younger brother. The family went to see Reggie play against the University of California in Berkeley.

The cost of the trip was close to $600, and the fees were charged to the account of one of Ornstein’s employees.

There was also limousine transportation provided for the family during that same weekend. The $250.65 charges were placed on the same account as the plane tickets.

Ornstein also provided suits for LaMar, and Bush’s brother to wear to the 2005 Heisman trophy ceremony. Bush’s mother also received a makeover, and the family was again given limousine transportation. There were also reports Bush’s family received $1,500 weekly.

So now you’re probably saying, “Well, it was just his family so he can’t be punished for that.” But NCAA by-laws strictly prohibit athletes, their families, and friends from accepting transportation, loans, or other benefits from agents.

Orstein’s gifts were just the tip of the iceberg. Several documents linked Bush and his family to New Era as well.

For three days in March of 2005, Bush stayed at a hotel in San Diego. His $1,574.66 expenses were charged to Michael Michaels' credit card. The receipts were all signed by Bush.

He also charged over $600 of expenses to Michaels' card a week later at a hotel in Las Vegas. The receipts were yet again signed by Bush.

Reggie was also given close to $13,000 by New Era to purchase and modify a 1996 Chevy Impala LS, but this isn’t even the biggest part of the scandal.

Bush’s family lived in a home owned by Michaels in Spring Valley, California for close to a year. They did not pay $54,000 worth of rent. The family was later evicted for failing to pay the lease, but they took $12,000 worth of furniture owned by Michaels.

It was also later discovered Michaels and New Era settled close to $28,000 of pre-existing debt for the Bush family.

The Pac-10 and NCAA launched an investigation when they heard about the allegations. If it was found that Bush, or his family accepted any of these benefits while at USC he could have lost his Heisman trophy. The NCAA could have also taken USC’s 2004 national championship away as well.

But it all seemed to vanish one night and no action was ever taken against USC, or Bush.

Reggie turned pro in 2006 and was drafted second overall by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft. He hired Ornstein as his agent.

Later that year, when everyone had forgotten about the investigation a federal investigation team discovered recorded conversations between Bush, LaMar Griffin, and an investor of New Era. Four sources said they discussed financial agreements dating back to 2004.

Circumstantially, those tapes seemed to be swept under the rug along with all of the other allegations against Bush.

Why has the NCAA to this day not done anything to the USC football program? Well that’s because the NCAA wouldn’t want to break up a dynasty would they? I mean come on people, if this was any other program they would be getting hammered.

Look at the Fab Five case at Michigan. Michigan basketball was placed on probation for five years, and lost scholarships during those years as well. In addition, they had to remove several banners including one of their national championship banners, but the Fab Five NEVER won a national title.

This case is ten times bigger than the Fab Five’s case and the NCAA hasn’t done a thing to punish USC.

In addition to Bush, there were confirmed reports not to long ago that former USC basketball player O.J. Mayo received over $50,000 worth of benefits. Has the NCAA done anything about that either? Nope, they haven’t done a thing.

However, the NCAA has been busy hammering Kelvin Sampson for recruiting violations involving phone calls.

USC is a perfect example of the bias in college athletics. The NCAA is sending the message that they will pretty much ignore violations as long as your program wins championships year in and year out.

This is a serious problem we have going on. The NCAA needs to take a good hard look at itself and do the right thing. At the minimum, Bush’s Heisman should be taken away and USC’s national title from 2004 should be taken as well.

But, my friends, I would bet my bottom dollar the NCAA won’t punish USC for anything they ever do as long as they continue to win championships.