So, you just wanted to watch some football, right? Not so fast. What would the football season be without some off-the-field distraction?
It just so happens to involve the No. 1 team in the country, USC, which will kick off its season against Hawaii later tonight. The Los Angeles Times reports that “A key figure in the ongoing corruption scandal at the Los Angeles County assessor’s office said he gave cash and perks worth thousands of dollars to two USC athletes while they were still in school, actions that could violate college sports rules.”
Specifically, the allegations involve former running back Joe McKnight, a car and an airline ticket. Basketball player Davon Jefferson is also connected to about $3,700 in cash. USC athletic director Pat Haden (pictured) replied to the paper with a response of “We are dedicated to playing and competing the right way.”
There’s a lot going on today, so you’re probably better served to just read the story HERE (and here’s more response from USC). We’ll have more on it later as I’m sure the story will be a developing one.
This is an incredibly inopportune story to come out for a program that is coming off a two-year bowl ban and will play the 2012 season with 75 scholarship players because of NCAA sanctions.