USC Player in trouble

[nayers]

Wright arrested in March on suspicion of rapeAssociated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Cornerback Eric Wright left Southern California amid possible disciplinary action by the school following an arrest on suspicion of rape.

"Eric came to the conclusion that it would be in his best interests to withdraw from school," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We agreed and support his decision."

Wright was arrested March 26 at a campus apartment by officers investigating reports of an assault. He was booked for investigation of rape and posted $100,000 bail.

In April, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office declined to press criminal charges against Wright because of insufficient evidence. But the 19-year-old redshirt freshman from San Francisco was scheduled to meet with school disciplinary officials June 15.

The district attorney's office said 136 pills of the drug Ecstasy were found in Wright's room at an apartment he shared with another player near campus.

Wright started four games last season and intercepted two passes -- the second during USC's 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl that gave the Trojans the national championship. He was expected to start next season.

Wright's plans were not known. If he transfers to another Division I program, he will have to sit out a season before becoming eligible to play.

 

[jiggafini19]

Florida State, Nebraska, Ohio State....now USC. Win a National Title and the skeletons come out of the closet.

Getting a little complacent in the Land of Troy....back to back titles and they're running a-muck.

 

[irishtexan]

at first glance I would blame Carrol, but you cant help what players do.

 

[nayers]

absolutely you can. they may not be babysitters, but they sure can keep them from raping women

 

[jiggafini19]

Where I came from, coach set the tone. You could enjoy college and have a good time during and after the season, but you were gone if you had any off the field, in or out of classroom issues. When teams start winning trophies, high profile coaches at high profile programs start to let things slide a bit. Where was this kid's position coach? Coordinator? Any coach that should be keeping tabs on the players?

 

[irishtexan]

i thought that same thought when i read this right off the bat too, but the kids upbringing has something to do with it also. your coach cant be there all the time holding your hand for you, this kid has to take personal responsibility for what he did. you cant blame the whole thing on the usc football program. what if this had happened at nd? i know, i know, nd kids are a different breed of character, but you still cant keep some 19 year old kid from being drunk for the first time on drugs, not knowing how to control himself. thats not the programs fault that night, thats the atmosphere he is in.

 

[bmf175]

Well my first question is how in the Hell does a 19 year old have money to make $100,000 bail? Did anybody else catch this?

 

[jiggafini19]

Very good point. They also didn't press charges against him either for insufficient evidence.

Did he only have to post $10K of the $100K? That might be more likely....

 

[sblxdoc]

Well my first question is how in the Hell does a 19 year old have money to make $100,000 bail? Did anybody else catch this?

My thoughts exactly. I didn't want to assume anything though. Maybe his grandparents are loaded?

 

[irishtexan]

10 grand for bail is an a**load of money, and they didnt press charges for sufficient evidence? I thought they found like 100 ecstatsy pills (or whatever they were) on him?

 

[sblxdoc]

Here's the story and it was $100,000 for bail and 136 ecstasy pills...unfrigginbelievable! :jawdrop:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/ncaa/06/02/bc.fbc.usc.wright.ap/

 

[jiggafini19]

i thought that same thought when i read this right off the bat too, but the kids upbringing has something to do with it also. your coach cant be there all the time holding your hand for you, this kid has to take personal responsibility for what he did. you cant blame the whole thing on the usc football program. what if this had happened at nd? i know, i know, nd kids are a different breed of character, but you still cant keep some 19 year old kid from being drunk for the first time on drugs, not knowing how to control himself. thats not the programs fault that night, thats the atmosphere he is in.

This is not an isolated incident. SC guys have been running wild since January. I think complacency is setting in there. Two titles in a row and the staff are taking head coaching jobs, the players are getting in trouble and the coaches are lying to players.

Carroll is losing control of his program. One kid making a mistake is one thing. When it becomes several kids making mistakes, there is a problem.