Reggie Bush was once a name synonymous with the USC football teams of the early 2000's. Many of us grew up playing with USC on the latest NCAA Football video game only to run the ball with him every offensive snap just because he was that good.
For those who have been living under a rock for nearly the last two decades, in 2010 after a nearly four-year investigation, the NCAA accused Bush and his family for taking payments under the table in a pay-for-play arrangement where his family received benefits such as a house in California, cash payment, and travel tickets in return for his continued play for the USC football program - which, at the time was not allowed by a student athlete or their families while actively on a roster and enrolled at the university. As a result, the NCAA imposed a 2-year postseason ban on USC, ordered the program to vacate several wins during Bush's tenure (including a BCS Championship in 2004), and imposed a sanction of 30 lost scholarships for the coming years on the school. Personally, Bush had year's of stats formally removed, was required to disassociate from the school for 10 years, and had his Heisman Trophy revoked. Since the new NIL rules were passed in 2021, allowing all collegiate athletes to benefit off their Name, Image, and Likeness financially or otherwise, Bush is now attempting to not only restore both his image and the school's but to in the end have his Heisman returned to him - which many feel is the right thing to do. However, the NCAA still upholds their statement that the NCAA to this day does not allow their student athletes to engage in a pay-for-play arrangement of any kind. Bush contends that while his family did benefit from a "would-be agent" who was unaffiliated with USC at that time that he did not entertain any payment as constituted by the NCAA. According to his legal team at the McCathern Law Firm, pay-to-play was "widely understood to mean that Mr. Bush received payment in return for playing football" and not that his family couldn't benefit from his status within the program as long as he himself did not directly take payment for playing in games or participating in on-field activities. Bush's entire Heisman-winning 2005 season was vacated in 2005 as a part of the sanctions imposed by the NCAA. As such, the Heisman Trophy Trust, who governs the award and associated activities, continues it's claim that Bush is ineligible to have his Heisman returned to him. This leads to the famed RB's goal of having his stats returned to him as a part of his suit against the NCAA. If he can get those re-issued to him, there would be nothing to prevent the return of the Heisman - and his standing as one of the all-time best players in collegiate football.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Navy Midshipmen have played each other every year since 1927 (excluding 2020 COVID year when the two were set to meet in Dublin, Ireland). In that time, the series record leans strongly on the Irish with an 81-13-1 lead over Navy. Some may call it a rivalry, but let's be real and take it for what it has typically been the last few years - football in August. Sure we have NBA and NHL playoffs to look forward to after the NFL season is over. But for most of us since early February after the final whistle blows during the Super Bowl, we go through the dog-days of summer "watching" nothing but baseball, tennis, and golf with the college football season looming in the distant future. Well, that time is here now and we have Week 0 of the 2023 college football season approaching this coming weekend. And while yes, it is football, and football that counts - it isn't your typical Saturday in the fall. No, I'm not talking about how it's still 90+ degrees outside for most parts of the country and that the Starbucks PSL hasn't come out yet. I'm talking about how Week 0 has some of the most boring football all season lined up for us when we sit down with our Coors Lights in front of the TV. Let's look at the slate - Highlights here are ND and USC both ranked but playing teams they should handle with ease. Then again, it is a new season and college football where upsets are not infrequent. But that is about it. Not much else to write home about here.
So not only does football not start till 2:30 in the afternoon but the games throughout the day are those you'd typically find playing on a Thursday or Friday night come mid-October. But we'll take what we can get, right? Football is football. It is an excuse to hang out with our friends on the weekend, eat unhealthy food and drink good beer. So although the games on paper may not be a Top-10 matchup, at least we have football that counts. If you're a bettor, there should also be some easy money waiting for you this weekend too - don't take my advice though. Plus, you never know, maybe Navy is in for their 14th win this weekend across the pond. |
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