Word around the ol' watering hole (or keg...to each his own) is that New Orleans Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush received improper benefits from marketing agents during his tenure at the University of Southern Cal.

So what?

Reggie Bush helped USC win 30-something consecutive games and a couple of championships. Oh yeah, did I mention the guy won a Heisman? On top of that, there's an "underground" tape of Bush as a high schooler, and let me tell you, it is utterly ridiculous what the man did to defenders. A couple of shakes here, a juke there, stiff-arm, the whole nine, but that's neither here nor there.

There is something that comes along with a Heisman Trophy-winning running back who helps collegiate teams win championships, compete in championships, and win thirty-something consecutive games: money.

Money, and tons of it. I'm sure that the seats aren't free, the drinks aren't free, and the parking isn't free anywhere in the continental United States. There are thousands of USC numbers 11, 5, 21, 8, and 2 jerseys sold in the United States, and those are not free. With all that money coming in to the athletic program, why is it that the main attractions are not being compensated beyond their scholarships?

I do not know why the NCAA refuses to compensate student-athletes, and quite frankly, I do not feel there is need for me to do the research looking for the answers. It is an injustice. This is borderline slavery - hard work for someone else's money.

And these guys work hard. Every year, there are countless student-athletes who bust their backs, break their legs, suffer concussions, contusions, jacked-up MCLs, ACLs, and everything else with letters in it. Sometimes, it downright ruins careers. And what do the student-athletes have to show for it besides a scar, and maybe a championship ring?

Nothing.

I can't blame Reggie Bush for accepting gifts, if he did. He is a gifted player. He deserves it, like all the college players who bust their behinds for their respective schools. Don't think of it as "accepting illegal gifts." Consider it "getting tips," like a job. He did his job and pleased his customers, and his customers thought it was necessary that he receive a tip for a job well done. He brought millions of dollars to USC and college football in general, and NCAA, in my eyes, owes him an apology.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College