It looks like we have an official addition to the life certainties of death and taxes: a Lane Kiffin-coached football team will never, ever -- ever -- be boring.
The latest proof of the newest addition to that Benjamin Franklin quip comes courtesy of USC fullback Stanley Havili, who apparently took issue with one of his teammates late last week during a conditioning workout.
According to multiple reports, cornerback T.J. Bryant underwent surgery Thursday to repair a broken left cheekbone. The source of the broken face? One of Havili’s fists, during a conditioning workout that apparently included a heated and intense drill.
(LeCharles Bentley could not be reached for comment on this particular aspect of the game of college football.)
Kiffin said earlier today that Bryant will be out of action for at least three weeks and possibly as many as four as he recovers from the injuries suffered during what looks to be a one-sided scuffle.
Kiffin, the Associated Press wrote, wasn’t happy to learn about the incident, but has not yet decided if he will punish Havili.
“It’s something we’re not excited about right now, but we’re looking into it,” the USC coach said.
For his part, Havili feels bad about the teammate-on-teammate violence.
“I feel terrible about it, horrible about it,” Havili said. “Emotions were high. When emotions are high, intelligence is down. It was an intense workout, and I let it get the best of me. ... We shouldn’t have gone that far.”
Havili added that he and Bryant have spoken since the “incident” and are “on good terms”, and will address this “issue” together with the media later in camp.
Until then, USC will continue to “Fight On!”. Literally, it seems.