Its Karma!

"http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9821565/new-orleans-saints-san/new-orleans-saints-san.jpg?size=234&imageId=9821565" border="0" width="234" title="New Orleans Saints v San Francisco 49ers" height="156" oncontextmenu="return false;" ondrag="return false;" onmousedown="return false;" alt="SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints lies on the ground injured against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)">

In case you are just joining us, Reggie Bush has been the focus of an embarrassing NCAA investigation into illegal practices as a college athlete while playing football at USC. The NCAA ruled him ineligible during the 2005 season for improperly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars and has since punished USC with tough sanctions for allowing the conduct to occur. Reggie Bush even forfeited his Heisman Trophy from 2005 due to the allegations.

Well, just when you thought Bush was going to move on from this and focus on his NFL career he broke his fibula last night in the New Orleans Saints win against the San Francisco 49ers. Bush is expected to miss the next 6 weeks of play.

So on one hand I can't help but think, finally! Its time Bush suffers from his actions five years ago, because we all know that although his pride is hurt, he has escaped any real sanction by the NCAA by being a success in the NFL making millions and winning a Superbowl. Yet, with more introspection it is clear that the Saints are the ones, just like USC, that is going to suffer from this incident. Sure, Reggie won't be able to play for a few weeks, but he is still going to get his paycheck. It is the Saints that have counted on Reggie to run the ball and help them win games. Now he is out. This time it wasn't Reggie's fault, but its still a loss for the Saints.

Heisman Stripped!

Reggie Bush, currently the running back for the New Orleans Saints, will be stripped of the Heisman trophy he won while playing at USC in 2005. It has since been determined that Bush was ineligible in 2005 for accepting improper benefits as a NCAA athlete. Bush became ineligible by accepting gifts from sports marketers, such as a rent free home and limousine for his family. This is the first time in the 75 year history of the college football most valuable player award, that it has been vacated. (The Heisman Trust has decided not to give the award to the 2005 runner-up, Vince Young.)

Bush's behavior in 2005 warranted some punishment, but does the stripping of his Heisman really make him feel the pain? Sure there are additional consequences, such as the negative press, embarrassment, and removal of his image from USC's campus, but does any of this matter now that Bush has a Superbowl ring? This is like being crowned Miss America, and then having your Miss California title taken away. It is possible that Bush's breakup with Kim Kardashian was even more painful and got more press.

The real losers here are Vince Young and the other college football players who played fair. Whether this punishment for Bush is justified or not, there is no way to rewind to 2005 and let another player win the honor.

Looks Only Get You So Far

Matt Leinhart, a quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, is in a nightmare where he has not yet woken up to realize the danger he is in. Leinhart was the stud quarterback for USC who was drafted in the first round of the NFL in 2006. Yet, upon arriving in Arizona to make his debut, he lost his starting spot to veteran Kurt Warner. Now, in 2010 Leinhart has a chance to win it back (Warner has retired) and looks to be losing it again to another young quarterback, Derek Anderson.

What is so pathetic about Leinhart is that his response to being told that he would not be starting in a preseason game, is that he is demanding an explanation from the team and moreover, motivating the team to trade him away. Does he not realize that he is letting his dream job run away from him? Leinhart is a cancer that the Cardinals are smart to dump. Yet, he is expensive - with a $2.485 million base salary this year and $7.36 million salary the next. I pitty the team that picks up that tab.

Hopefully, when Leinhart wakes up, he will realize that those good looks and charming smile will not get him through life in the NFL. The NFL requires heart and commitment. Leinhart needs to stop asking to leave, but instead study a playbook. He reminds me of that popular girl in high school who could do no wrong, yet at the 10 year reunion she is stuck in a rut with little potential. Hopefully, Leinhart can keep his dream alive and avoid waking up to his nightmare.