Recruiting Buzz
We hear that defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who decommitted from USC earlier this week, ``loved'' the Trojans but his parents are furious with the way older brother Armond's been treated by the university and that led to his annoucement to open up his recruiting.
Without knowing exactly what is wrong with Armond, it is hard to understand his parents' reaction. I have a hard time believing the University is doing anything to keep a player it needs off the field. It seems that USC's doctor believe that placing Armond on the field presents an excessive risk. If my kid were in Armond's shoes, I would be eternally grateful to USC. I'm sorry about how things turned out for Armond at USC and I hope Arik becomes a Trojan. If Armond is never cleared and Arik ends up going somewhere else, that is the price USC will have to pay for doing the right thing. And that's okay. Fight On!
If what I am hearing to accurate, this is not a medical issue now as much as a legal-financial issue. There is a fear that if something happened to Armstead as a player, and despite family assurances, there is fear a lawsuit could happen. This is probably why the Armstead family is frustrated to no end. Kiffin-Haden need to address this issue and soon. Haden could bring the President into this matter to quickly resolve the University's side. So.... this sitution is on Haden!
@oneil... +100
@dtksr1... ditto!
Fight On
Where are Wolf's sources? Is this dude putting us all in the 'spin zone'?
Maybe mommy and daddy are mad at USC for not clearing their son so he can show his abilities to the NFL so he can make some $$$ in the NFL. But, if SC clears him and he drops dead, they can sue the school for millions. Either way, it sounds like the parents have their heads up their azzes. Isn't it enough that their kid got a free and very expensive education at one of the better universities in this country along with top flight medical care?
Don't think the issue could be fear of a lawsuit. If Armstead's family really wanted their son to play despite doctors' warnings, they could easily volunteer to sign a waiver, and SC almost certainly has raised that. We don't know the real story, of coruse, but sounds like Armstead's family is more concerned with the size of Armond's NFL payday than has physical well-being.
Mono - the "we hear" from Scott always cracks me up. The article was on Scout.com a few days ago and mentioned what Scott just "heared".
Wolf to SC fans is what Baxter has been to the Trojans so far. Completely useless and nothing but a head ache. Thinks he's good, but hasn't proven anything yet, so all he does is wine, complain and point his finger at everyone else. No wonder Scott's always on Dillon's jock... They have a lot in common.
What's the big deal here...Armond signs a waiver and he plays. His parent's have no legal interest if he is over 18 years old and he decides to play after signing a waiver. Me thinks the family is a little chicken to step up and take the hit if he plays and goes down.
The doctors are looking at a malpractice in the future and they are not going to move off the snide on this point.
Sign it Armond and you play...don't sign and you will continue to sit. Simple, eh?
What's telling is that the parents haven't come out to the press to say what the medical issues are.
If it wasn't very serious, they could put pressure on the school by going to the press and saying "it's just a fractured bone, they just don't want to let our son on the field. All the other commits should re-think their choice of schools."
If it's serious they wouldn't be able to do so. Saying "it's just a neck injury that a small awkward hit could leave him paralyzed for life" isn't going to get them much sympathy.
Let's move on with our lives. Goodbye Armond and Arik.
Next.
Dayum, Petros, errr SC For Life, just sonned Wolf!
@sdbob: If Armond is single with no kids, then his parents are his direct heirs, and would be first in line to file a wrongful death action if Armond were to die on the field.
Who the hell knows what the ailment is or why it's being handled as secretly as it is. Maybe..with absolutely nothing to go on other than raw speculation, and which may support part of why it's so hush hush, is that what if it was HIV? Then keeping him off the field would be not only to protect him, but also to protect his teammates and opposing players? Just a wild guess folks.. nothing but spec to go on!
Whatever, I firmly trust in the great doctors of USC to do the right thing for both AA and USC!
Fight On
With the suddenness that his injury came about, I always imagined it was something to do with his heart. Could be a brain thing too, like a potential clot or something that could cause a seizure (like Mike Patterson).
Not buying HIV. They would have handled that much differently and he wouldn't be redshirting to try to play next year. People don't "recover" from HIV unless their name is Ervin Johnson.
Everybody, the HIV jokes are out of line! If we need someone to give us a firsthand account of living with HIV, please ask Charlize Bucksh*t...