Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
I wonder if Reggie Bush would enjoy that song. He's certainly accused of a failure in scholarship follow-through much like what Dunder-Mifflin's dunderhead did. Except, you know, he actually has the money to fund them.
In March 2007, Helix High School seniors Brandon Fountain and Matt Cobb were presented a $10,000 scholarship from Bush to use for college."I think it's always been in my heart, just a desire to be able to come back and give back to the high school I grew up in," Bush said in 2007.
...
Each received a $2,500 installment on their scholarships in their freshman year. Both ran into problems the following year when trying to contact the scholarship's trustee, Jerry Michaels.
"Mr. Michaels never responded. A couple of weeks later, he (Brandon) sent a second e-mail and still no response," said Fountain's father, Bruce.
It was the same story for Cobb, and after weeks of wondering they received an answer they were not expecting.
"That's when we were told he was out of funds and due to the economy he didn't have the money," said Cobb.
"Due to the economy" sounds like an absolutely terrible excuse for a professional athlete with both a lucrative contract and a wheelbarrow of endorsement cash, doesn't it? (The report does allege that the scholarship, before Bush was involved, was tied to the stock market, so that part might not be on him.) It's hard to see how the money that was promised to the students hasn't been delivered, no matter how you examine this story.
It's not like the $20,000 in question is a fortune to an NFL player; it's a fraction of a game check, and about what Bryant McKinnie spent on alcohol on one night in Miami recently, according to Dan LeBatard. Bush stiffing two students from his high school for a relative pittance is impossible to spin into a positive story, too: Are Bush and his people going to allege it never happened, claim temporary insanity, or plead bankruptcy?
Here we have a sticky situation that barely counts as a Super Bowl sideshow. Bush may not be able to juke his pursuers on this one, but he'll probably shake more than a few fans.
(HT to Second-String Fullback.)
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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i dont know about the scholarship, but his chick is kinda slutty.
by scurds on Feb 7, 2010 4:32 PM EST reply actions
Myself I have no doubt. If there is one unlikable Saint, he’s the one.
by Radatz on Feb 7, 2010 10:53 PM EST reply actions
the Office took the same nosedive this site and the sporting news magazine took last year.
by sycofnc on Feb 8, 2010 9:59 AM EST reply actions
If this is true, then this is whole new low. $20,000? Not only is it a fraction of a game day check like was mentioned before, it’s only a fraction of what he was paid at USC.
by ftlgator on Feb 8, 2010 10:18 AM EST reply actions
I REALLY like how ‘five-touch/no points’ Reggie Bush nominated himself as the only other player than MVP Brees to be on the Super Bowl podium after the game. Garrett Hartley deserved the nod, or the safety who picked off Manning and Favre, much much much more.
Not a guy I want on my team. And clearly even the Saints can win a Super Bowl without him.
by oklahomazeppelin on Feb 8, 2010 11:34 AM EST reply actions
How lame. The article doesn’t say Bush is even aware of the issue. No one called him. Both guys in the article called the trustee, Michaels. I’m sure if Bush was aware he’d have no problem giving the money to students from his own high school. But go on and hate, haters. It’s what you do best.
I’m not sure you can say the Saints can "clearly" win a title without him until they actually do it. Like it or not, he is a starter and a contributor on a Superbowl winning team. One of only a handful of players with a college NC, a Heisman trophy, and a Superbowl ring. If he’s a "bust" I’ll bet there are a lot of NFL players who wouldn’t mind the same designation.
You can hate him because he’s not your prototypical running back if it makes you feel better, but if you’re hating on him because he stiffed some high school kids maybe you should wait until there is one scrap of evidence that he’s unwilling to pay the money.
by CCTrojan on Feb 8, 2010 11:43 AM EST reply actions
He is a great athlete, but he wasn’t a difference-maker by any means vs the Colts and the Vikings. I admit I exaggerated saying they’d win without him — a bit — but he clearly had no business putting himself on the podium. That was very, well, Reggie Bush-like.
by oklahomazeppelin on Feb 8, 2010 11:48 AM EST reply actions
I’m not sure how they do math in Oklahoma, but Bush had 9 touches on offense for 67 yards. He averaged 5 yards/carry and 9.5 yards/reception. And with so many weapons on that team do you really blame him for not getting more touches? He did just fine with what he was given.
by CCTrojan on Feb 8, 2010 11:49 AM EST reply actions
If he did that to one of my students, I would find him and kill him.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Feb 8, 2010 12:26 PM EST reply actions
I didn’t look up touches. I felt like less than nine. And by no means did his 9.5yds have the impact of a handful of other Saints offensive players, including the other main RB.
I do find it quite odd that he had the gumption to stand on the podium. Ahead of the safety that beat the Vikes and Colts, and Hartley that sealed it vs the Vikes n OT — or Vilma that broke up a potential TD when the Colts still lead and so on.
Good luck with the sanctions. Your team really deserves them.
by oklahomazeppelin on Feb 8, 2010 12:28 PM EST reply actions
An Oklahoma fan talking trash about sanctions? LOL. I’m sure we’ll be fine.
by CCTrojan on Feb 8, 2010 12:43 PM EST reply actions
Oh I KNOW you’ll be fine. Little Bomar took $1000 and his career was over, teflon USC’s great citizens takes $20,000 (to begin with) and get Heismans and the NCAA takes several years to consider looking into it.
We KNOW all about how fine you’ll be…
Sure a lot of teams cheat. But if USC ever gets its due, just ask us folks in non-TV-friendly markets for advice. We know what it’s like.
by oklahomazeppelin on Feb 8, 2010 1:54 PM EST reply actions
That is Superbowl Champion/BCS Champion Reggie Bush!!!
by SailorGabe on Feb 8, 2010 3:35 PM EST reply actions
I don’t know if he ripped off the students, but he sure is ripping off the Saints. And his 63 yards of opportunistic total offense beat his season average by 18! Definite MVP material. "Most Vain Pinhead". Worth every M-note!
by Radatz on Feb 8, 2010 5:12 PM EST reply actions
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