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| coolclips.com |
By now, I am sure that most of you have heard about Reggie Bush returning his Heisman Trophy due to an ongoing investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). All summer long, the media covered the NCAA’s investigation and was chomping at the bit to release their findings and sanctions (punishment). After reviewing the case, the NCAA found that Reggie Bush had received improper benefits during his collegiate career at the University of Southern California (USC). Now the NCAA has strict rules that make receiving improper benefits, mainly money, illegal. I am not arguing the rules; I am arguing the sanctions. First of all, why is the NCAA punishing USC? They did not accept the benefits for Reggie, yet they receive strict sanctions that place them on a two year bowl ban and loss of multiple scholarships. That is just flat out ridiculous.
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| ncca.org |
Another example is the A.J. Green situation at the University of Georgia. The NCAA suspended the University of Georgia wide receiver for a total of four games because he sold his Independence Bowl jersey to someone who could be classified as an agent under NCAA specifications. Honestly, I see no problem with someone selling their personal belongings. However, it is against the rules. Green along with numerous other college football players was being investigated for illegal contact with agents at a party in Miami, Florida. While under investigation, the NCAA found a deposit for $1,000. First of all, why is the NCAA reviewing someone’s personal bank statements? Secondly, another collegiate player accepted almost $2000 worth of improper benefits directly from an agent and only received a two-game suspension compared to Green’s four-game suspension. Is it me, or does it seem that the NCAA has their priorities backwards? There is a fine line between strict punishment and being over the top, and I believe the NCAA has crossed that line. As stated before, I am not arguing the rules; I am just arguing the outrageous sanctions.
