Getty ImagesWith USC finally emerging from NCAA probation for various allegations and instances of players receiving something more than room, board, and books, Southern Cal is back in the spotlight of controversy.
The Los Angeles Times reports that a former employee of the Los Angeles County assessor’s office said he provided “cash and perks worth thousands of dollars” to Jets running back Joe McKnight and a former USC basketball player.
McKnight, a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2010, reportedly received a car and an airline ticket, according to emails obtained by the Times under the California Public Records Act.
The airline ticket allegedly was purchased in 2008, and a 2009 email message indicates that a Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned by former appraiser Scott Schenter was in McKnight’s possession. Schenter recently told the Times that he gave the car to McKnight, who eventually wrecked it.
USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said that the allegations will be investigated.
In 2009, McKnight was spotted driving a Land Rover registered to Schenter. An investigation resulted in no violations by USC.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this new instance of possible NCAA violations is that the incidents apparently happened after the NCAA had embarked on an investigation regarding benefits received by former USC tailback Reggie Bush and his family.
At least McKnight won’t have to worry about giving up a Heisman Trophy.
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After the Penn State stuff, this all seems so petty and meaningless.
back on probation you go USC
California knows how to party.
Last minute switch from LSU to USC, finally explained.
They’re making millions on the backs of these kids, it’s the least they could do.
As a Miami Hurricane fan I would appreciate it if USC would allow the NCAA some free time to finish their investigation and give whatever penalties it plans to Miami soon. You have had your quality time with NCAA now lets give Miami its time.
THANK YOU FOR YOU UNDERSTANDING IN THIS MATTER
MIAMI FAN
It’s pretty obvious that USC believes that rules are for everyone else.
in 7-8 years the truth will come out, and they will have a whole new batch of sanctions
@Ryan Alfieri
Yes. Because Jerry Sandusky molested multiple boys at Penn State, it’s totally cool for USC boosters to indirectly pay players while other schools have to play by the rules. Especially in the midst of an investigation.
Thank god there’s no cheating going on in the SEC.
Okay, giving players some cash is bad I know – but how can the NCAA pound schools that do this but let North Carolina provide credit hours for no-show classes to players for 11 years… Time to put the “student” back into the “amateur student athlete” ALSO!
There’s player payments going on all over college football.
Wow I bet it was worth it to drive that SWEET MONTE CARLO! YEAHH!!!!
Lets think about this, you take a young boy from his ghetto life and offer cash its a done deal.
Getting a free education, worth upwards of $40k a year, seems like a good deal for college football players. It is comparable to what people make in the minors for baseball.
Eh…USC needs to shadow some of these SEC teams on how to get away with this stuff.
If I remember he was the Jet on Hard Knocks who got some ribbing for taking a pay cut to turn pro. Ahh, there’s always truth in the best humor!
The problem is when investigations take so long, the punishment hurts young men who had nothing to do with the violations. It just isn’t fair. I can imagine some might be more likely to break rules themselves since they’re already being punished.
Good, I hate USC & the JETS.
So while nothing will happen to McKnight or the alleged perk providor, a school who maybe had no idea about it and a bunch of students who 100% had no knowledge about it will suffer.
The NCAA needs to reevaluate how they punish. If I were a parent of one of the current players and the school suffers sanctions because of this, I’d sue the s#it out of McKnight & perk providor for ruining my kid’s college experience and potentially damaging his employment prospects (assuming that NFL scouts care about how many bowls a potential draft pick plays in).