USC invites Leinart, snubs Bush

[kjbad]

Classic move by USC...emphasis mine.

Bush: USC asked me not to show

The USC Trojans have done something defenders have been unable to do in Reggie Bush's rookie year — they've stunned him dead in his tracks.

The Saints running back and former Heisman Trophy winner told FOX NFL Sunday and FOXSports.com that USC officials have asked that he not show up on the sidelines for the Trojans' Rose Bowl matchup against the Michigan on New Year's Day.

Bush called the athletic department Friday to get his credentials for the game, but was told it would be better if he didn't attend the game.

"It's ridiculous," said Bush. "I guess I won't be going."

"Per BCS policy, schools in a BCS bowl are allowed five VIP sideline passes and we've already divvied those out," USC spokesperson Tim Tessalone said. "So it's kind of a moot issue. It's not like it's a home game where there's unlimited passes. That's what I can tell you about it."

According to Tessalone, those five passes were provided to Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Charles White, Matt Leinart and John Papadakis.

Previously, Bush had said he believed all the negative stories that surfaced earlier this year regarding alleged financial impropriates caused them to put forth such a request and he's obviously not happy about it. Thus, Bush is making no plans to show up — despite winning the Heisman for the university a year ago and helping lead them to the national championship game two years in a row.

USC is likely trying to distance itself from Bush after a man named Michael Michaels alleged that he allowed Bush's parents to move into a $757,000, 3,000-square-foot home he owned in Spring Valley, a San Diego suburb. According to Michaels, Bush's parents failed to pay any of the agreed upon $4,500 monthly rent on the property before Michaels evicted the family. Michaels also alleged that he paid for Bush's family to travel to some USC road games during the 2005 season.

However, Michaels also promised that he would have corroborating evidence to these claims and much more yet to this day nothing has been proven.

Had anything been proven, USC could have been stripped of its 2004 championship. But considering the man has yet to be proven guilty of anything, to shun one of your biggest stars and most beloved players at this point is absurd — especially considering O.J. Simpson has been allowed to attend certain USC events. O.J. can come to practice but Reggie is asked not to come to a game?

Hmmmm.

[M0J0]

Classic move by USC...emphasis mine.

USC is likely trying to distance itself from Bush after a man named Michael Michaels alleged that he allowed Bush's parents to move into a $757,000, 3,000-square-foot home he owned in Spring Valley, a San Diego suburb.

Ya think?

[FightOnCards!]

THIS SUCKS!!! I hope it is not true. If they only have 5 passes, who the &*($ else are they gonna give them to - Reggie is BIG.

[AZFAN777]

I didn't really care about this game but I started off kind of leaning towards USC.

Thru the course of the game as USC showed how little class they had I completely started rooting for Michigan.

The USC players acted like a bunch of high school kids and were given several unsportsmanlike penalties. (flipping the ball in MI players faces, taunting after touchdowns.) Even the commentators seemed disgusted. The one guy said it best, this is what he said:

"These guys need to emulate LARRY FITZGERALD, NOT Terrel Owens."

Now after reading this it's clear that the classless attitude comes from the admins not just the players... After everything reggie did for them, they turn their back.


Congrats on the big win but,

Bad for USC, bad form.

[Boldinfan]

i think that they are trying to be nice to reggie bush and say that he should be praticing with the saints cause he's still playing he's in the playoffs unlike matt.

[lkratavil49]

I didn't really care about this game but I started off kind of leaning towards USC.

Thru the course of the game as USC showed how little class they had I completely started rooting for Michigan.

The USC players acted like a bunch of high school kids and were given several unsportsmanlike penalties. (flipping the ball in MI players faces, taunting after touchdowns.) Even the commentators seemed disgusted. The one guy said it best, this is what he said:

"These guys need to emulate LARRY FITZGERALD, NOT Terrel Owens."

Now after reading this it's clear that the classless attitude comes from the admins not just the players... After everything reggie did for them, they turn their back.


Congrats on the big win but,

Bad for USC, bad form.

Funny, I did not notice any such behavior, they certainly were fired up in the second half.....I can believe however, that they did act like high school kids, most of them ARE barely out of high school.

I just got back from that game so I will take a look at the recording...Pete Carroll does not tolerate that type of behavior. We spoke to many Michigan fans after the game and we all expressed respect for "two football powerhouses" with a great and storied history.

I find it ironic that anyone from Arizona would be offended by supposed "unsportsmanlike" behavior....aren't you guys the kings of the "trash talkers" and "late hits", etc.???

[lkratavil49]

Funny, I did not notice any such behavior, they certainly were fired up in the second half.....I can believe however, that they did act like high school kids, most of them ARE barely out of high school.

I just got back from that game so I will take a look at the recording...Pete Carroll does not tolerate that type of behavior. We spoke to many Michigan fans after the game and we all expressed respect for "two football powerhouses" with a great and storied history.

I find it ironic that anyone from Arizona would be offended by supposed "unsportsmanlike" behavior....aren't you guys the kings of the "trash talkers" and "late hits", etc.???

I watched the game that I tivo'd last night and was very disappointed in my boys.....truly unsportsmanlike behavior......Dwayne, what were you thinking?? All I can say is that I hope Pete Carroll addresses that behavior immediately. Shame on you boys, grow up and act like the winners you are.

The loss to UCLA was humiliating, and instead of regaining your pride with this game, you diminished it by acting like punks. :frown:

[M0J0]

Even the commentators seemed disgusted. The one guy said it best, this is what he said:

"These guys need to emulate LARRY FITZGERALD, NOT Terrel Owens."
That could be said about a bunch of players.

I did not like how Dwayne was behaving but in his defense there was a lot of trash talk going on between USC's receivers and Mich Dbacks. I think Mich got pretty confident after the first half and they let Dwayne know about it. When he took over the game in the second half he let them know about it. BFD.
Now after reading this it's clear that the classless attitude comes from the admins not just the players... After everything reggie did for them, they turn their back.
I don't blame the University for attempting to distance themselves from Reggie after the problems he had with the NCAA. In the end if something comes of the allegations the University will be punished Reggie won't suffer at all.
Congrats on the big win but,

Bad for USC, bad form.
Wasn't that big a deal.

[kjbad]

Basically, Bush has to wait for one of the five ahead of him to die or commit an OJ if he wants to get a pass...only at SC. :)

[M0J0]

What was a big deal. Everyone thought that USC couldn't beat Michigan.
WRONG!:exclamationmark:

Everyone thought Michigan would blow them out.
WRONG!:exclamationmark:

Everyone said the dynasty was dead.
WRONG:exclamationmark:

Everyone said Michigan would dominate the LOS.
WRONG:exclamationmark:

BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY passing everywhere!!!!!!!!
FIGHT ON!

[M0J0]

Basically, Bush has to wait for one of the five ahead of him to die or commit an OJ if he wants to get a pass...only at SC. :)

He'll get a pass. Just not right now while the School is under the gun from the NCAA.

Maybe he'll get a pass to USC's next BCS appearance. Isn't next years BCS game in Florida:garfield: I'm sure Reg would prefer Fla over the Rose Bowl, been there done that!

[kjbad]

Pretty classic that USC would rather invite the QB that knocks up basketball players on campus than invite the guy who got a house and $$$ from a booster...how do you make that choice? :lollollol:

[M0J0]

Pretty classic that USC would rather invite the QB that knocks up basketball players on campus than invite the guy who got a house and $$$ from a booster...how do you make that choice? :lollollol:

Don't know.... but they will probably have the same problem next year :biggrin:

Sucks for them! :lollollol:

[lkratavil49]

He'll get a pass. Just not right now while the School is under the gun from the NCAA.

Maybe he'll get a pass to USC's next BCS appearance. Isn't next years BCS game in Florida:garfield: I'm sure Reg would prefer Fla over the Rose Bowl, been there done that!

I agree 100% with all your posts on this thread.....Fight On!

[lkratavil49]

[B[/B]? :lollollol:

Classy kjbad, you just plummeted down to gunny's level......no matter how much you or anyone else wants to paint it, they both thought they were in love and stated as such when they were together, as college sweethearts.....it is how they conduct themselves as parents from here forward that really matters. You and your family must be perfect and free from 'sin'....either that or you would have handled this situation differently by destroying the evidence.

[lkratavil49]

Pretty classic that USC would rather invite the QB that knocks up basketball players on campus than invite the guy who got a house and $$$ from a booster...how do you make that choice? :lollollol:

EDIT:
Classy kjbad, you just plummeted down to gunny's level......no matter how much you or anyone else wants to paint it, they both thought they were in love and stated as such when they were together, as college sweethearts.....it is how they conduct themselves as parents from here forward that really matters. You and your family must be perfect and free from 'sin'....either that or you would have handled this situation differently by destroying the evidence.

Reggie is a smart kid.....he should understand the reasons the university wants to distance itself from him while the NCAA stuff is going on. Reggie Bush is much loved at USC and always will be, the jury is out on his parents......

[kjbad]

EDIT:
Classy kjbad, you just plummeted down to gunny's level......no matter how much you or anyone else wants to paint it, they both thought they were in love and stated as such when they were together, as college sweethearts.....it is how they conduct themselves as parents from here forward that really matters. You and your family must be perfect and free from 'sin'....either that or you would have handled this situation differently by destroying the evidence.

Reggie is a smart kid.....he should understand the reasons the university wants to distance itself from him while the NCAA stuff is going on. Reggie Bush is much loved at USC and always will be, the jury is out on his parents......

You missed my point, but that's OK, I'll break it down for you...Leinart's child out of wedlock is not the issue here, feel free to debate that on the politics forum. You may not like how I chose to phrase Leinart's actions, but guess what? He knocked up a basketball player on campus and had a child with her. That's a fact.

The issue here is how USC makes decisions, specifically who gets passes and who doesn't.
The university had only 5 passes to give out. Someone had to make the decision to select 5 people out of all the possible recipients to be present at the game. How does someone make that decision? Is it based on contributions to the university's legacy? Is it based on current public perception? Is it first come, first serve? Are the five people selected more deserving than Bush? What about Carson Palmer, did they forget him too? I'm curious as to how they made the decision, aren't you?

And then you basically call out Bush for not knowing that USC would un-invite him? Come on, lkratavil49, Bush was their latest Heisman winner, not Leinart...Bush was the guy everyone expected to see go #1 overall. And Bush is the unlucky guy who, with all his accolades, cannot crack the top five. Why? Can't USC separate on-the-field glory from off-the-field indiscretions? (They sure had no problem doing that with Leinart.) If the jury is out on Bush's parents, then don't invite his parents. Every one of those guys has some "reason" to not invite them to the game...but call a spade a spade; Bush got hosed.

[lkratavil49]

You missed my point, but that's OK, I'll break it down for you...Leinart's child out of wedlock is not the issue here, feel free to debate that on the politics forum. You may not like how I chose to phrase Leinart's actions, but guess what? He knocked up a basketball player on campus and had a child with her. That's a fact.

The issue here is how USC makes decisions, specifically who gets passes and who doesn't.
The university had only 5 passes to give out. Someone had to make the decision to select 5 people out of all the possible recipients to be present at the game. How does someone make that decision? Is it based on contributions to the university's legacy? Is it based on current public perception? Is it first come, first serve? Are the five people selected more deserving than Bush? What about Carson Palmer, did they forget him too? I'm curious as to how they made the decision, aren't you?

And then you basically call out Bush for not knowing that USC would un-invite him? Come on, lkratavil49, Bush was their latest Heisman winner, not Leinart...Bush was the guy everyone expected to see go #1 overall. And Bush is the unlucky guy who, with all his accolades, cannot crack the top five. Why? Can't USC separate on-the-field glory from off-the-field indiscretions? (They sure had no problem doing that with Leinart.) If the jury is out on Bush's parents, then don't invite his parents. Every one of those guys has some "reason" to not invite them to the game...but call a spade a spade; Bush got hosed.

Excuse me kjbad, YOU were the one that brought up Matt having a child out of wedlock - you started that. Matt's selection to attend may have more to do with the the fact that he was inducted to the USC Athletics Hall of Fame...in 2006, less than 1 year after graduation, a distinction that Carson or Reggie have not yet reached. Reggie or not, he was the undisputed leader of his football team for 3 years. Reggie was without a doubt THE most popular and spectacular athlete, why should draft order influence an invitation BY THE UNIVERSITY, or for that matter the Heisman? Carson was not there either. Certainly USC does not have to justify who is selected to be on the sidelines....Marcus Allan has always been there for every important game for the Trojans, as well as the others and Anthony Davis? The man bleeds cardinal and gold, he attends thousands of functions and rallies.

Unfortunately kjbad, Reggie's supposed 'indiscretion' could cause profound and serious reprocussions to said University - namely sanctions which could topple a proud and storied football program for an extended period of time....and not the least, we could lose a beloved and great coach because of it, what is there not to understand kjbad?? Matt's 'indiscretion' will only effect him and his family, a personal matter. The relationship between Reggie and this university needs to have a clear distance for the time being till the end of this investigation with is currently ongoing. Do not speak about anything you know nothing about kjbad....your beloved University is not in danger of losing so much because of one player's family indescretion.

Reggie is a good and decent kid, and we will always love and respect him - no matter what the outcome of this investigation - but although I feel he is innocent, his parents actions could bring serious and damaging reprocussions to USC. I understood that he was not 'uninvited' just not invited, could this have been part of legal counsel given to the university??

One last thing kjbad, the Arizona Cardinals did not sign Drew Brees.....who I know you wanted. Sorry, but that's life, you are stuck with Matt Leinart, aka 'Tommy Trojan', so your little petty personal judgements just reflect your disappointment.....life goes on.

[kjbad]

Thank you for finally providing a somewhat credible answer for why Leinart was chosen over Bush...you have done more than the entire athletic department at USC did. :)

Too bad Reggie gets 'punished' by his alma mater...I'm sure he's really hurting in the Big Easy, but he'll get over it. As for toppling a proud and storied program, i doubt that will happen since they seem to have rebounded from the Ted Tollner days quite well.

Do not speak about anything you know nothing about kjbad....your beloved University is not in danger of losing so much because of one player's family indescretion. Did I not ask why the decision was made? Did I not want more information? Where in my posts did I claim I "knew" what USC was thinking? :confused: By the way, you can clearly tell my University is not USC if you check the avatar. :)

One last thing kjbad, the Arizona Cardinals did not sign Drew Brees.....who I know you wanted. Sorry, but that's life, you are stuck with Matt Leinart, aka 'Tommy Trojan', so your little petty personal judgements just reflect your disappointment.....life goes on.

No, they didn't. Their loss, NO's gain. Matt will be a fine player, and I didn't bring up the family issues to spite Matt. I brought them up because I didn't understand how you choose one Heisman winner over another when both have skeletons in their closets. My "petty personal judgements" reflect my disappointment in USC, not in Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush. The University made millions off of both "student-athletes", and they will make their millions in the NFL, so there's no losers here.

So sorry that I offend you by thinking Matt could have waited to have a child, I forgot this is 2007. As long as the guy doesn't turn out to be Steve Garvey or Shawn Kemp... :eek:...

[lkratavil49]

Thank you for finally providing a somewhat credible answer for why Leinart was chosen over Bush...you have done more than the entire athletic department at USC did. :)

Too bad Reggie gets 'punished' by his alma mater...I'm sure he's really hurting in the Big Easy, but he'll get over it. As for toppling a proud and storied program, i doubt that will happen since they seem to have rebounded from the Ted Tollner days quite well.

Did I not ask why the decision was made? Did I not want more information? Where in my posts did I claim I "knew" what USC was thinking? :confused: By the way, you can clearly tell my University is not USC if you check the avatar. :)

No, they didn't. Their loss, NO's gain. Matt will be a fine player, and I didn't bring up the family issues to spite Matt. I brought them up because I didn't understand how you choose one Heisman winner over another when both have skeletons in their closets. My "petty personal judgements" reflect my disappointment in USC, not in Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush. The University made millions off of both "student-athletes", and they will make their millions in the NFL, so there's no losers here.

So sorry that I offend you by thinking Matt could have waited to have a child, I forgot this is 2007. As long as the guy doesn't turn out to be Steve Garvey or Shawn Kemp... :eek:...

kjbad, I want to end this miserable thread. But, I will say your choice of words in referring to Matt's fatherhood is what I found objectionable....and your statement that I could be offended because you think Matt should have waited? Young man, I grew up in the 60's in the "free love" era, yet I managed to actually deserve my white wedding dress; I doubt if you could be more conservative than I, but I have never, nor will I ever judge others because of the circumstances in which they bring a child into this world. This was not a random relationship or a "one night stand".

Tolerance, a forgiving nature and most of all the realization that even with the best of children or in the finest of families a situation like Matt's can occur.....yet, thank God, they chose to have this baby.

Lastly kjbad, USC did nothing that any other university would have done under the circumstances in this situation.....all these colleges make an enormous amount of money on their student atheletes, if this were your alma mater you certainly would not be so casual about possible sanctions.

The University has not punished Reggie, but rather his family has punished not only USC, but their son because of greed - IF these allegations are true.

I am now done with this.