Stripping Down Reggie Bush

Normally, I would be willing to do just about anything short of standing on the corner to get Reggie Bush nakey (Please see exhibit A to the left if for some unknown reason you feel you need further explanation). That being said, seen and salivated over, I think the fact that I am adamant about not stripping down Reggie in this instance puts his most recent controversy into quite some perspective.

This year the Saints’ running back came under investigation for allegedly receiving benefits from the University of Southern California football program back during his time as a Trojan. Being the all-star he is, he also happened to win a Heisman Trophy while he played for USC. Now, if you are an intelligent person, you are probably wondering why this matters. Typical NCAA, they are considering retroactively declaring Bush ineligible for his 2004 and 2005 seasons. Heisman rules declare that a "recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA student-athlete”, which means they could potentially make the choice to strip Reggie of his title.

Seriously? All I have to say is give.me.a.frickin.break. As if anything that happened FIVE years ago isn’t already old news that no one cares about, I think that of all possible athlete trespasses, “receiving benefits” should be the least of the NCAA’s worries (Helllllo A-Rod, Mike Tyson and, oh yea: Tiger?). Unless he was “receiving” blowies from half the female USC employees on a bi-weekly basis, I don’t think any gifts bestowed upon him could really be that inappropriate. And besides: can you blame the guy for accepting expensive gifts for simply doing what he loved? That would be like Bret Michaels turning down the Rock of Love hoes that come as a side dish with his 15-minutes of fame. Exactly: not going to happen.

Besides, if we are going to get on the topic of miscreant Heisman recipients, let’s not forget that OJ Simpson (who killed people) and Tim Tebow (need I really say more about this pussy?) are still proud members of the club. I think I make my point.

Tyson Trades in Boxing for Bird Racing

Since having flown the coop, so to speak, on his boxing career in 2006, former American boxer Mike Tyson will be trading in his fighting days for something a bit more outrageous than usual. (If that's even possible after his infamous ear-biting incident with Evander Holyfield). Once unanimous in the boxing world for his particularly vicious style, Tyson will now be hosting a new Animal Planet show exposing the competitive world of pigeon racing. Wait... what??? Who even knew pigeon racing was a "sport"? At first I was going to say that whoever authorized a human carnivore around much less defenseless animals had obviously made a huge oversight. That was until Animal Planet's general manager commented that "Tyson's passion for his pigeons takes my breath away". Now I retract that statement: it's not that they had a momentary lapse of judgement, they're delusional. But then again, you know what they say: birds of a feather...

Mike Tyson, a champion again.

Mike Tyson's life experiences were almost too predictable. It all came together- a man clearly born AND socialized to channel and express anger physically, would have inevitably hit rock bottom. I don't even want to discuss the contempt I have for the people who coached and trained Mike- how they must have cared so little about him to ignore his obviously confused ideas what strength is and what it means to be a champion. Yes we all have our own agency, but I would liken the situation to a crack addict having his dealer be his mentor and protector - we can only channel agency if we see that there is some other place you can be. Anyways I digress, and probably could go on for days about the corrupt morals of Mike's team and how it correlates to society, etc. However, the rainbow, the light that the end of the tunnel, is that this man who presented himself to Oprah is changed. He is someone who has felt the ultimate pain of losing a child, and who still has the dignity and intelligence to make the best decisions possible in a time when the mind must be the most hazy. Inevitably Mike will find trouble again, and even if he does- even if things take a bad turn again, in this moment when many would crumble and break, he has risen to a place that deserves honor and recognition. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mike.

Check out the interview here.