USC Football: Haiti Trip Is Difficult to Put into Words for Trojans

Khaled Holmes looked off into the distance as he talked, as if trying to recall a singular moment or an image that might help him explain everything more.

“You know what I’ve kind of shared—and what everyone else has similarly shared—is that it was difficult to put into words.”

Which is why several of the 16 players that traveled to Haiti last week, casually gathered in Heritage Hall to talk to the press. In every corner of the room there were huddles of people. Questions were asked. Stories were told. And after a while, it all started to come together.

No, you can’t completely put into words the palpable change one witnessed in the young men that stood in the room that day. But it was there. And after listening to a few stories, everyone understood why.

Matt Barkley told everyone of a young man he saw sitting under a tree with a text book and an old fashion chalkboard.

And on that chalkboard he sat practicing calculus. The Haitian 18-year-old knew a few words of English, which was just enough to explain that he also knew Creole, French and Spanish. Barkley knows just enough Spanish to hold a conversation.

“We ended up speaking for about two hours in Spanish,” recalled Barkley. “We ended up talking for a long time just about his life, America, Jesus and stuff.”

Each person you talk to has a story about a child.

Kyle Negrete befriended an 8-year-old who went by the name of “Sir Nelson.” He wanted Negrete to have his last cookie from the gift bag the young men had just handed out. His actions were indicative of the Haitian people’s approach toward life.

Yes, the Haitian people were happy. But they were happy before these USC football players showed up to build them four houses and as far as anyone knows, they are still happy now.

To these children, Cyrus Hobbi looked more like a friendly monster and Kevin Greene deserved to be sung “Happy Birthday” in not one, but two languages.

And Nickell Robey, who left his family in Florida shortly after losing his mother to start a new life in California, suddenly felt at home again. Robey’s grandfather was Haitian and his surrogate brothers on the team say the connection to his roots was clearly visible.  

“There is a joy and a love that only comes from above that is found in every one of those smiles and every one of those sets of eyes,” said Negrete. “Once you take a step back and you see that, you reevaluate yourself.”

Now, these stories are traveling through the locker room creating a domino effect.

There is finally something in the air near L.A. other than smog.

And though, like Holmes said, it is difficult to put into words, spending an afternoon hearing stories and observing these temporary missionaries gives you an idea of the intangible feeling that has evolved in the Trojans' locker room.

“Now if you hear someone complain how hot they are or how hungry they are or how thirsty they are, all you have to say is ‘Haiti,'" said Negrete.

It may be the only word that personifies the experience. It defines their common knowledge.

It a word that is stronger than “sanctions.” It is more powerful than the NCAA. For with its utterance comes a focus and a perspective that is nothing short of life-altering.

And there are no words for that.

All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.