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SPORTS Thursday 24 augusT 2023

Former USC star Reggie Bush plans defamation lawsuit against NCAA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For- "I've got dreams of coming suit.
mer Southern California back in this stadium and "Pay-for-play" typically re-
running back Reggie Bush running out of that tunnel fers to a different type of
plans to file a defamation with the football team," improper benefit arrange-
lawsuit against the NCAA Bush said. "I've got dreams ment than the one which
over a statement made by of walking back in here and the NCAA cited in leveling
college sports' governing seeing my jersey and my USC's sanctions. The NCAA
body about the reasoning banner right down there claimed Bush accepted
for its decision not to re- next to the rest of the Heis- extra benefits from peo-
store the Heisman Trophy man Trophy winners. But I ple not affiliated with USC
winner's records. can't rightfully do that with- who hoped to cash in on
Bush and his attorneys out my Heisman Trophy." Bush's professional career
at McCathern PLLC an- Bush is suing over a state- as agents or sports market-
nounced the lawsuit ment issued in July 2021 ers. Bush played 11 seasons
Wednesday in the rented describing the star's playing with five NFL teams after
President's Suite atop the career at USC as a "pay- New Orleans chose him Former USC football player Reggie Bush, left, listens as his at-
Coliseum, the Trojans' home for-play" arrangement. The with the second overall torney Ben Crump speaks at a news conference announcing a
for the past 100 years. The NCAA used the phrase pick in 2006. defamation lawsuit against the NCAA at the Los Angeles Memo-
Peristyle end of the vener- while detailing why it "Not only is it not true, but rial Coliseum, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Los Angeles.
able stadium features large wouldn't restore the records there is no evidence to Associated Press
banners honoring all of of Bush's playing career, even support that claim," other players as well." against USC included a
USC's eight Heisman win- which the Heisman Trust Bush said. "It wasn't even Two years ago, after NCAA two-year bowl ban, 14 va-
ners except current quar- has cited as the next step in part of the initial NCAA in- athletes were given the cated victories and severe
terback Caleb Williams and returning Bush's trophy. "The vestigation, so this is a new right to profit off their name, scholarship restrictions.
Bush, who is hoping to clear NCAA's statement is com- accusation as far as I'm image and likeness rights, Bush also was required to
up his current murky status pletely false and highly of- concerned. That's what this the Heisman Trust issued a "disassociate" from USC for
in college football history. fensive," a statement from lawsuit is about. It's about statement saying it would 10 years.
Bush is filing the suit as part Bush's lawyers read. "The truth, getting the facts out look "forward to welcoming That ban ended in 2020,
of his quest to reclaim the NCAA knew Mr. Bush was and holding the NCAA ac- (Bush) back to the Heisman and USC has already wel-
Heisman he voluntarily re- never even accused of, in- countable, which I think is family" if the NCAA formally comed back one of the
turned in 2010 after the volved in, much less sanc- maybe the first time in my restored its recognition of greatest running backs in
school was hit with heavy tioned for any 'pay–for– memory that this has hap- Bush's accomplishments. school history. Bush wants
NCAA sanctions related to play arrangement' which pened, someone holding The NCAA subsequently is- to take the next step in re-
improper financial benefits never occurred." them accountable for their sued the statement that storing the luster to one of
he received during his play- The NCAA didn't immedi- actions and what they've sparked Bush's lawsuit. the greatest careers in col-
ing career. ately respond to Bush's law- done in regards to me and The NCAA's sanctions lege football history.q

Ingebrigtsen goes down in another upset, while Warholm hurdles to gold

By EDDIE PELLS ter his win, he was posing in 49.57 to become the first
AP National Writer with his country’s flag and man or woman from Po-
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — wearing his Viking horns. land to take a world medal
Britain’s Josh Kerr pulled off Warholm crossed in 46.89 in the 400.
the biggest upset at track seconds, a full three paces Women’s pole vault yield-
and field’s world champi- and .45 seconds ahead of ed two gold medals, as
onships Wednesday, out- surprise silver medalist Ky- defending champion Ka-
running heavily favored Ja- ron McMaster of the Brit- tie Moon of the U.S. and
kob Ingebrigtsen of Norway ish Virgin Islands. American Nina Kennedy of Australia
to the line for a win in the Rai Benjamin finished third missed all three tries at 4.95
1,500 meters. and defending champion meters (16 feet, 2 3/4 inch-
Kerr finished in 3 minutes, Alison dos Santos of Bra- es), then agreed to share
29.28 seconds to join Jake zil clipped the eighth and first instead of jumping in a
Wightman as the second 10th hurdles and finished tiebreaker for the title.
British runner in two years Josh Kerr, of Great Britain crosses the line to win the gold medal fifth. It was the same decision
to upset Ingebrigtsen at in the Men's 1500-meters final during the World Athletics Cham- The women’s 400 me- Mutaz Barshim (Qatar) and
pionships in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.
worlds. Associated Press ters was a runaway for Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy)
A few minutes later, anoth- Marileidy Paulino of the Do- made at the Olympics two
er Norwegian avoided the holder Karsten Warholm climb back on top in that minican Republic, who won years ago. Tamberi won his
same fate. Olympic cham- ran away from a stacked race after injuries derailed in 48.76. She beat Natalia own gold Tuesday night in
pion and world-record 400-meter hurdle field to him last year. Moments af- Kaczmarek, who finished Budapest. q