The Reggie Bush-rent scandal that followed him around draft time last year is starting to pick up steam again. Two sources have told YAHOO! Sports that Lloyd Lake, one of the financiers of a failed marketing company called New Era Sports & Entertainment, is ready to testify to the NCAA that Bush and his family received nearly $280,000 in extra benefits while he was enrolled at USC.
Taped conversations between Lake, Bush, Bush’s stepfather LaMar Griffin and others starting in December 2005 now could be examined as evidence by the NCAA. Sources have told Yahoo! Sports that those tapes provide proof of a financial relationship between the New Era financiers and Bush’s family during his days at USC. The tapes could pave the way for significant penalties for USC and ultimately could lead to Bush losing the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005 when he led USC to the national championship game against Texas.
Rules are rules, but don’t take away the kid’s Heisman Trophy, especially if it was his family who mostly took advantage of the situation. He earned that award for his play on the field and it’s not like his family living rent-free helped him get a leg up on the competition. He should keep the award, pay the company back and then be done with it. If he refuses to do that or if Lake has proof that Bush violated stiffer rules, then the NCAA can look into a stiffer punishment.
