USC Legends Talk About Sanctions
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Former USC football players Ronnie Lott and Paul McDonald discuss the sanctions against the program and how it moves forward during a Thursday event at Morton's Steakhouse.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — While the event was planned months ago and the timing coincidental, 710 ESPN likely couldn't have picked a better lineup than it had for Thursday's "Lunch With a Legend" event at Morton's Steakhouse.
USC greats Ronnie Lott and Paul McDonald went live on-air just as the NCAA was announcing severe sanctions against the Trojans for violations by the football and basketball teams.
Lott said that the program should accept its punishment and move forward. "You win with class, you lose with class," said the defensive back, who played most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.
While both said that the loss of post-season play would be tough on recruiting, they said that players come to USC for more than just the bowl games. New head coach Lane Kiffin will face a tough task, but Lott sees it as a chance to build character. "He has a chance to move back or move forward," he said.
The radio station, headquartered just down the street at L.A. Live, puts on the lunch events regularly. Archives are available online, and the audio from Thursday's event can be streamed online or downloaded as an mp3.
Guest on June 14, 2010, at 10:49AM – #1
It is unfortunate USC President Steven B. Sample's legacy is clouded with this problem with the Athletic Department, still, Sample has brought the University of Southern California to the cusp of real Academic accomplishment, with USC first Nobel Prize, expansion of various departments and creation of new academic disciplines, “computer gaming,” multi-media production and very much improved graduation rates for the Athletic Department.
I hate to say it but it’s time for Athletic Director Mike Garrett to retire.
2OX OK TK Nagano