USC's Shady Dealings: A fan's rant

Lots going on in the City. And as I am forced to watch the Lindsey Lohan foolishness play out on all media everywhere, my angst and attention goes toward the unfolding drama over at the University of Southern California... The effects of being banned from bowl games and other severe sanctions as a result of the school's violations of NCAA rules were a bit shocking and disappointing. Mike Garrett "retires" after 17 years as Athletic Director. All references, salutations and commendations to Reggie Bush and basketball player OJ Mayo on campus are wiped away. Including the return of  Reggie's 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trust.

USC President Mikia said in a statement, “The Trojan family honors and respects the USC sporting careers of those persons whose actions did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes. Accordingly, I have instructed the senior vice president for administration to remove athletic jerseys and murals displayed in recognition of O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush by mid-August – before the incoming class of students moves on campus – from Heritage Hall, the Galen Center , and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The university will also return Mr. Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust in August.”

Dag. Persona Non Grata at the university you led to national championships. SMH....

And no, I am not an alum of USC, however I have always loved their football team - particularly because we do not have a professional football team in Los Angeles. The Trojans are the city's team. National Championships. Top contenders. Football fans in LA look forward to Saturday afternoons.

Reggie Bush was a hero around town, even as he was a college player. His number 5 was prominent around the City as urbanites rocked his jersey... He was the man around here... But even so, over the years, it didn't matter much who came out of the backfield, the USC Trojans always contended for the top and they are OUR team.... LA's team. The top QB's.... The top tailbacks, wide receivers, lineman... our team - LA's football team was the bomb....

It is painful to hear the news of improprieties in the athletic work of  USC. We didn't win it fair and square... I mean this is a slap in the face of the citizens here in the City of Champions(ok, Inglewood is the City of Champions I know, but that was then and this is now....)

I suppose we would be foolish to assume that college sports is this squeaky clean administration. Let's face it. Schools are making millions in ticket sales, concessions, and merchandising. The television and radio rights are HUGE revenue streams for the University. The fight to recruit and retain the best athletes in the land is ferocious and cut-throat. To be the best in your conference and yet best in the land means millions and millions of dollars. And as it is written, money is the root of all evil.

For the player, to be courted and recruited by major universities is an alluring opportunity especially if they come from humble roots. Just think of the neighborhood kid from the 'hood, playing football, mom and dad struggling to make ends meet. The kid has a gift and is heavily recruited. USC calls. Now the kid has a chance to attend one of the finest universities in the land, gain a top notch education and play before one of the largest audiences in the world. Suddenly, the kid and his loved ones are exposed to unmitigated adoration, boundless perks and unbridled excitement - all the sensory overload that comes with starring center stage... The temptations and opportunities to accept or participate in the finer things of life as offered by wealthy and influential people (aka alumni) is difficult to resist. If the need is for a car, who are we to refuse? A house? cool. Cash? now this we can keep on the low, but heck yeah!!!

Besides, they probably would not have time or interest to go back and consult a lawyer or counselor each and every time such an opportunity arises. After all, to accept these things as gifts, benefits or incentives to stay and play are highly illegal in the NCAA. There are rules and standards in place to preserve the integrity of the college student athlete. Rules and Standards that should help keep the focus on the student's academic success while supporting their athletic success. but alas..... the evil that men do.....

I cannot help but feel the pain of being stripped of  national championships. I am disappointed that the team has been from post season play including bowl games for two years. I wince from the notion that the school returned the Heisman Trophy presented to Reggie Bush. His number and any reference to him removed from the hall of champions. He is in the same category as OJ Simpson. Campus hero. College Football superstar, stripped of all recognition on the campus where he was the center of attention.  Persona Non Grata.

As for OJ Mayo, USC announced that it had determined Mayo was ineligible for the 2007-2008 season because he received improper benefits. As a result, USC vacated all 21 of its wins from the 2007-08 season, dropping its record to 0-12. A vacated game does not count as a win for the other team, but is officially treated as having never happened. USC also withdrew from postseason consideration (including the Pac-10 conference tournament) for the 2009-10 season. A winless season. Persona Non Grata.

The debate of whether Coach Pete Carrol knew of the coming sanctions is an interesting sidebar. It is kind of suspect that he took a pro football coaching gig just before this stuff hit the fan... The "retirement" of Mike Garrett saves face for both the school. It's time for him... after all 17 years is a long time and he's done his due.... time to move on.... take this cash and go play golf.

Whether money and benefits should be paid to student athletes is another vociferous debate.

OJ is now playing with the Memphis Grizzlies enjoying millions and building himself into a solid player in the NBA. He's not hurting from this one bit.

Reggie. Here he is kicking it with Kim Kardahsian. On the rise as the running back on the sentimental favorite team in America. Just coming off a championship season... On a team that was just awarded the ESPY for best team of any sport in America.... Reggie's got it all going on!!! He got his education. At one of America's finest schools. He's on the cover of magazines. He's in the spotlight.... a rising star.... He's not hurting from this.

What about the guys coming up behind him?? Those who reveled in his exploits, made life decisions based on what he did on the field and very probably what he said during the recruitment phase. The students who are now locked into a school that cannot compete. a school that cannot win even if they win. Imagine going undefeated only to be unable to play in the championship.  Shameful.

Reggie's business dealings are obviously messy. And so the gauntlet has to fall. But he will not feel the pain. the young ones who came up behind him.. the innocents will have to pay the price for his mess. OJ followed the counsel of greed and unscrupulous people.. and now the innocents have to pay.

Shady.

BET Awards 2010: The Paradigm of Redemption

The classic song of redemption reminds us that "We fall down, but we get up".... and so it is for the 2010 BET Awards...

This time last year, the fans were incensed. We were terribly shocked at the news of Michael Jackson's death. The world was reeling with grief, shock and awe as we grappled to understand the sudden passing of the King of Pop. The BET Awards, already set and ready to rock at the time of MJ's death; was now the center of media scrutiny as the world looked to the show as the supreme articulation of cultural perspective into the untimely demise.... Instead, we got coonery.... we were shocked and appalled... it was an embarassment.... BET had committed serious cultural crimes even as we sought to honor the memory of Michael while celebrating the best black music had to offer.

This year, the BET Awards was the catalyst for cultural redemption.  Oh yes, this year was a tremendous turnaround. With the addition of Queen Latifah as host, and the Lifetime Achievement Award performances from a visibly pregnant Alicia Keys climbing on top of her grand piano, Janelle Monae, and the legendary Patti LaBelle - all in honor of Prince, the Awards made a quantum leap in quality, presenting a dramatic, redemptive, first class perspective of black entertainment. The Awards took its rightful place as the premiere awards show saluting the best of the best in black entertainment. We fall down, but we get up.

A major element of this redemptive presentation was the tribute to Michael Jackson as the Awards found itself once again at the center of media scrutiny as the world paused to contemplate the one year anniversary of  Michael's untimely death. At the center of this keynote presentation was the controversial Chris Brown, who delivered an incredible dance tribute to MJ - the key influence in Chris Brown's "stylepath" to stardom. It would be one of the first tributes that included Chris, who has been sitting in the cultural corner enduring derision and fan disappointment. It was time for Chris to get his turn, And boy did he deliver.

His moves evoked memories of MJ. His moonwalk sent the crowd into an ecstatic uproar. But then it came time to sing "Man in the Mirror". The song's message of love and support to global crises rang true and deep, however it was soon apparent that the message took a personal turn for Chris. Overcome with tears, he was unable to finish the song.....

We witnessed a powerful moment in this young man's life as he gained the forgiveness and respect of his fans while paying proper and excellent tribute to the primary influence on his art... The essence of the song rang true and deep in his soul... It was one of those hallelujah moments.... you know that cleansing tearful exfoliation of the burdens in one's life.. He is free..... We fall down, but we get up.

 Some have speculated that the tears were contrived, but most have felt Chris in this moment, clearly understanding the significance of the performance. Redemption. 


We Fall Down But We Get Up.....The 2010 BET Awards. A Paradigm of Redemption.

Soul on Ice

Ok, so one day, I get this phone call from my friends at AEG... "Hey Greg, how are you?? listen, the Los Angeles Kings are celebrating Black History Month...." I was like "yeah right... now I know we have a great relationshp but...... hockey??" c'mon..... Black People? and a hockey game? I have done a few five star events with them so I was glad to hear from them... But I was really surprised at what they had in store this time... I mean, we did parties with Serena Williams, inaugurated the Home Depot Center with world class track and field atheletes but nothing could prepare me for what I was hearing this time...

But quickly they would inform me that one of the LA Kings brightest stars this year was a young black man named Wayne Simmonds... yup, in the middle of the NHL Hockey season, the Kings are looking really competitive and one of the central reasons was this kid from Toronto.... They were really enthused with his play.... They told me he could score... he was not afraid to fight, obviously a key attribute in Hockey.. They compared him to Kobe Bryant's entre' into the NBA inasmuch that he did not play college Hockey nor come up through the NHL minor leagues... 

Ok. this is kind of interesting... but will it resonate with my audience.... We'll see...  So my colleague Marc Gaspard and I put our heads together and the promotion began... we really took the time and care to make this promotion a huge deal in the community of black Los Angeles.... We hooked up with Ingrid Hutt and the Los Angeles Sentinel and Eugenia Wright handled the PR.... we wanted this event to really pop and pop it did...

Thursday, Feburary 11 was the night as we descended on the Staples Center to witness history... The Kings faced off against the Edmonton Oilers. It was a beautiful night and our guest list was a veritable who's who of Black Los Angeles... I mean business leaders, politicians and celebrities rolled thru... Tachina Arnold sang the National Anthem and Willie O'Ree dropped the first puck...

We had a VIP suite in the Staples Center and hosted an awesome after-party complete with red carpet and paparazzi.... Just imagine 300 black people, none of whom really knew the game of hockey, all in one place to celebrate young Wayne Simmonds and the Los Angeles Kings. Even the Reverend Jesse Jackson came out to witness this awesome event. We met Willie O'Ree, the first black man to play in the NHL.... The game was exciting.... I even met a lady who exclaimed, "hey this is better than football!!" Imagine that!

In the end, the game went into double overtime and then a shootout.... The shootout is one on one hockey- one player and the goalie... The player shoots and if he makes it, the other team gets to shoot, gaining a chance to answer... Here, the Kings and Oilers shot it out into the late hours of the nite... King after King got up to shoot, eveyone missed..... But then Wayne Simmonds took the ice..... GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!! the Staples Center erupted into what would be the largest ovation of the nite... But alas, Edmonton would answer and even beat the Kings resulting in a loss for the Kings...

At the after party, all of our dignitaries gathered in the San Manuel Room of the Staples Center to celebrate and acknowledge Wayne... It was a nice affair with DJ James Reece spinning.... NHL Hall of Famer Luc Robaitaille, GM of the Kings came thru...  it was a really nice affair. It was here that Wayne was showered with proclamations and commendations from politicians from all over the region....

Black History Month with the LA Kings.... what an awesome event...... and you know what, now that I have experienced Hockey, I find myself keeping up with the sport.... I am a new fan.....

This is soul on ice.....

Lamentations of San Diego

So the San Diego Chargers lost to the New York Jets 17-14 in the AFC playoffs... Congrats to the Jets as they advance to the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts... It's good to see USC's Mark Sanchez doing so well.... But I was pulling for the Chargers. I was born and raised in San Diego. Although for most of my adult life I have called Los Angeles my home, I have been in and around San Diego a lot over the last year. i just wanted to see San Diego get into that championship celebration mode all across the city...

We have never won a championship. All my life, the Chargers would get close, but never close the deal...I did not live in San Diego during the Fouts years,, but I watched and cheered from Los Angeles. I mean I loved my LA Raiders, but the hometown has a special place in my heart. But each time they would get close, but never close the deal. Oh yeah, they did make it to the Super Bowl one year, against the San Francsco 49ers.... but no deal. Matter of Fact, they were scorched 49-26.

 The Padres.... a little better with two World Series apperances, but no deal.

The various NBA teams (errr, they NEVER got close, they just lost..).. San Diego Clippers, Rockets - yes. the San Diego Rockets, San Diego Conquistadors.... all lessons in losing...

Since moving to Los Angeles, I have been in the City when my beloved Lakers won it all.... I was at the parade.... I've heard the fireworks and libations all around the City...  I remember when the Dodgers won it all.....Kirk Gibson's 1988 homerun at the bottom of a two-out ninth inning World Series game....this still resonates in my consciousness..... I remember the electricity gripping the City as our teams marched towards the finals and ultimate victory.... I just wanted to see San Diego get into that feeling....

But once again, it would not be....I really never recovered from the missed field goal that Nate Kaeding kicked in the wild card playoff game against the Jets a few years back....however, my soul was just ready to forgive him this season however as he went on a successful streak of 69 made field goals.... I admit I was happy he made the Pro Bowl this year..... but then he missed..... again..... three times.....in the most crucial game.... against the same team.. Familiar feeling for the City....

San Diego lamentations..... just can't close the deal....