More than three years after he left USC, running back Reggie Bush finally met with NCAA investigators looking into the question of whether his eligibility was compromised via the receipt of cash or other benefits while playing college football.
According to Jason Cole and Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, the interview occurred prior to the 2009 NFL season.
Per the report, Bush denied receiving cash or other benefits from a prospective marketing agency while he was playing for the Trojans. The claims previously have resulted in a reported settlement with one of the principals of the agency, and a lawsuit filed by one of the other owners of the firm.
The problem is that the NCAA can’t force Bush to talk -- and they have no ability to impose any consequences on him for failing to tell the truth. If the NCAA ultimately uncovers sufficient evidence to prove that the allegations are accurate, Bush could be required to pack his 2005 Heisman Trophy up in a box and send it to Nashville with a packing slip that reads “Vince Young.”
The fact that the NCAA is still pushing the matter might have had something to do with coach Pete Carroll’s decision to leave USC for the NFL, especially since Yahoo! Sports reports that the NCAA has broadened its probe of the Trojans’ athletics department in the past year.
With Carroll possibly in line for a black eye once the NCAA issues a notice of infractions, which according to Yahoo! Sports could come as soon as March, it arguably makes sense for Carroll to escape now.
