Southern Cal Now Engulfed In An Ugly Dog Cruelty Scandal

by Nestor on Aug 29, 2007 4:47 AM PDT in Football

Well looks like the TrOJans now have a full fledged ugly, disgusting, dog cruelty (and may be dog fighting) scandal on their hands. The story has already rocketed around a number of the national blogs keeping track of college football, and has led to a story in the Los Angeles Times.

It is now clear Pom Pom has a Michael Vick like convict in his staff. From the Wizard of Odds (emphasis added throughout):

USC running backs coach Todd McNair, in his fourth season with the team, was twice convicted on charges related to mistreatment of dogs in the 1990s, according to reports.

"I really don't want to comment on something 14 years ago, and especially something I was cleared for," McNair told Gary Klein of the L.A. Times Tuesday night.

The site Bruins Nation made mention of a 1996 incident involving McNair on a post earlier Tuesday. The Times then confirmed the 1996 incident and found another similar charge brought against McNair in 1993.

McNair, a former NFL player, was charged with animal neglect in July 1993 when he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. He was found guilty, fined $500 and put on probation.

In March 1994, police in the New Jersey Borough of Paulsboro shot and killed a pit bull for biting and locking onto a neighborhood dog. They suspected the dog belonged to McNair, and discovered six more chained in his yard. He agreed to move them.

On March 30, 1996, McNair was charged with cruelty to animals, failure to obtain licenses and keeping animals for the purpose of fighting on his property in East Greenwich, N.J. Animal control officers found up to 22 pit bulls, including 17 adults and five puppies.

"I've never seen anything like it," Gloucester County officer Charles Barone told the Philadelphia Daily News in a story dated April 4, 1996.

Police Chief William Giordano told the newspaper: "These conditions are deplorable."

The Rocky Mountain News reported later that year that the dogs were attached to heavy automobile towing chains. Some of the dogs were found in standing water, and many were scarred. Several had fresh wounds and one had a broken leg.

The story is also now up on FanBlogs.com (note the breathless whining from the Trojan losers in the comment section), SportsbyBrooks, and all other Bruin message boards including BRO and Bruinzone. The LAT story has the classic line (w/ a HT to BN) from the Confucius of college football:

Coach Pete Carroll said he became aware of the incidents about a week ago and addressed them with McNair. The incidents came to light again on the website BruinsNation.com.

"We looked into it to make sure we knew what happened," Carroll said. "That was a long time ago."

To which the guys at SportsbyBrooks responded:

Say what? McNair needs to be fired. NOW.

Now, I don’t think anyone needs to dig deep to see exactly how we reacted and responded when the Eric Scott scandal unfolded in Westwood. We immediately demanded accountability and transparency on how DG and Dorrell dealt with that issue. To date, we are not happy how it turned out and do not think Scott deserves to be an assistant coach at a program like UCLA.

Just exactly how will the Trojans and the Humanitarian’s apologists respond to this? Are they going to be okay with having such a cruel, despicable human being on his staff responsible for leading and teaching young "students" (I use the term kindly wrt to Peetie’s bunch) at Southern Cal? As they say … DEVELOPING.

Oh, by the way, give it up for Meriones everyone. He just single-handedly outflanked the entire traditional media "reporters" in Los Angeles and in the entire country.

We will update this post as we get more on this throughout the day.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE I - N: From Obscure Sports Quarterly:

After a USC fan went on to Bruins Nation and pulled out an Eric Scott reference, a contributor to BN did some research, and discovered that a current USC assistant coach was arrested and charged with the mistreatment of dogs being trained on his property for dogfighting in 1996. In the same thread, Bruins Nation commenters later found that the same assistant, Todd McNair, was a part of the Reggie Bush free house scandal. They also found that McNair’s punishment was only a $16,000 fine and found a gruesome picture of one of the dogs.

I read a lot of sports articles and blogs daily and follow Pac-10 football very closely. I had never heard of this before I saw it on Bruins Nation yesterday. So I’m guessing a lot of people will be seeing this for the first time today, either on Bruins Nation or another blog that will pick up the story (like mine).

It’s unfortunate that we had to learn that another former NFL player was involved in dogfighting. Thanks USC fans, for helping us find yet another flaw with your shady program.

The title of his post read 'Michael Vick should coach USC'. That post was picked up by Larry Brown Sports.

UPDATE II - N: From Big Cat Country, SBN's NFL blog covering the Jaguars:

The dogfighting in the NFL might be deeper than we think (hope). The SB Nation UCLA blog is reporting that USC Running Back Coach Todd McNair was arrested for Dog Fighting charges in 1996.

Now I'm not saying that the guys were connected per se, but that the culture of dogfighting in professional and college football might be a little more common than we think.

The reality is that the players that we follow so closely have far darker pasts than we think. NFL Security ought to get it's ass in gear before a fringe thing like the Vick Scandal get's out of hand.

Here is the whole post.

UPDATE III - N: The story is now up on Arrowhead Pride, the SBN blog covering McNair's former NFL team: the Kansas City Chiefs.

UPDATE IV - N: SMQ picks up on the story and notes McNair's connection with the Bush scandal.

UPDATE V - N: Also over at Ballhype main page and at AOL Fan House.

UPDATE VI - N: Deadspin fires this stinger:

McNair has already paid his fines and served his probation, so we don't quite understand the notion of firing him, as some have called for. But we certainly have a better idea now how that whole USC running back logjam resolved itself: Halfback fights!

Full post commenting "McNair's situation seem as bad, if not worse, than Michael Vick's," here.

UPDATE VII -N: How did I miss this? Totally forgot this detail. It was McNair who coined the term "White Nation":

In an update Friday on the "White Nation'' Facebook story, USC assistant coach Todd McNair told the LA Times it was he, not a player as reported by the Daily Trojan, who coined the term "White Nation'' for the group of USC special teams players and meant it as a compliment for the way they played.

So to recap Pom Pom has an assistant coach who has been convicted twice for disgusting cruelty to dogs (with possible connections to dog fighting), has been implicated in the Reggie Bush scandal, and was also one of the main players who came up with the incredibly racist ~~joke~~ act of White Nation. Tell me if you had a coach like that in Dorrell or Howland's staff you'd be ok with it? Wait I know your answer. The question is what's the answer for all the apologists too busy worshiping the Confucius of South Central.

UPDATE VIII - T: Thanks to kballs for spotting the story in the SportingNews.com

Even though McNair's problems were more than a decade ago, it's still repulsive. The question now becomes, what does USC coach Pete Carroll do? He told the Times "that was a long time ago" and that the school looked into it last week to "make sure we knew what happened."...

But Carroll can't simply brush this off as something that happened years ago. Bottom line: McNair represents the university and is recruiting 17- and 18-year-old kids -- young, impressionable adults debating where to spend the next four or five years of their lives.

Pom Pom? Brush this off? Never.

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Comments

Big props to M

Outstanding work!

And I want to hear from SuC Link who obviously reads BN and who has a problem with "convicts" being on a coaching staff.

Well, buddy, you asked for it, you got it. You have a convict on your coaching staff. Yeah, I know, he was just convicted of dog "cruelty," and not "dogfighting," because there is such a big, big difference.

But still, he's a convict.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 5:25 AM PDT 0 recs

By the way

The Humanitarian is really showing his true colors, isn't he? Although, I suppose, by definition, "humanitarian" just means that you are concerned with "humans," and not necessarily animals.

The Humanitarian said it happened a long time ago so that must make it ok. He didn't even bother to say that the actions of McNair were disgusting.

Not exactly a principled stand by Peetie but then again, he thought "White Nation" was a big funny ha ha joke.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 5:38 AM PDT 0 recs

Amazing job Meriones

ha! I bet there are other coaches/players on college football and pro football teams just hoping this issue quietly goes away so that their own tainted pasts dont come to light. But with this hitting the national news you know we will hear of others. Meriones may have singlehandedly done more work for PETA with his fact-finding post then the entire organization has done in year. Now its not just one high profile celebrity on the hook, its every single institution of higher learning and every single sport (college and pro). The background checks are probably now in full swing ... everywhere. Meriones, the Humanitarian's Humanitarian.

Hey, shouldn't there be a Peabody or Pulitzer award on BN?? Meriones ... hands down wins it for the year ... although Carroll's "among angels" comment that was reported here was hilarious.

editor, DumpDorrell.com ... formerly posted as DumpDorrell

by BruinCore on Aug 29, 2007 5:39 AM PDT 0 recs

I'm an animal lover

but not a huge fan of everything PETA stands for. But your post made me shoot PETA an email and I cut and pasted the story for them.

Pom Pom is obviously satisfied with a dogfighter on his staff. The big bucks he earns is worth more than integrity and having quality people around him. And I doubt if the brie and chardonnay sipping TrOJie trust fund babies over at the Ritz Carlton are going to care much about this story. Or the folks over on Chronicles of Criminals.

This story has obviously got some legs and I'm happy to spread the word on this.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 6:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

If USCLink had any integrity

or balls, he would show up in this thread and man up.

by bluestreet on Aug 29, 2007 6:30 AM PDT 0 recs

I won't hold my breath

The Linkster found time to post a snarky comment on Fanblogs.com about this, but apparently, he hasn't worked his way over here for his heaping serving of crow yet.

I'm still waiting...

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 11:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Meriones, well done

Generally, I'm the type who prefers to keep my own house in order, and let the rot of somebody else's place take care of itself. Seeing the pass that usc has been getting for years from the NCAA and the MSM, I have to give credit to Meriones for getting the background on this.
Occasionally, the powers-that-be need a kick in the hindquarters to get them moving in the right direction.
Seeing the fishwrap (not) cover the various problems across town, it's doesn't take much intelligence to see why they are still showing a picture of the Jaokim Noah on the UCLA section of the sports web page. No bias there, none at all.....

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Aug 29, 2007 6:37 AM PDT 0 recs

More Good News for $C

Todd Marijuanovich was just arrested for the FOURTH time:

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/28/todd-marinovich-arrested-on-felony-drug-possession-resisti ng-po/

What a shocker.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 7:04 AM PDT 0 recs

Excellent Scoop M

And I'd like to further congratulate SUCLink for inspiring Meriones to expose yet another dirty little secret in Pom Pom's program.

SUCLink, you might think you're the victim here, or that McNair is the victim here, but you're wrong. The victims are the dogs, and the great Humanitarian seems to be endorsing it, so how is he "objectively, a good person" again?

by Tydides on Aug 29, 2007 7:16 AM PDT 0 recs

Well done, Meriones

SUCs next move: PR goons..er..department makes sure story stays under wraps and fades away, much like all the other scandals.

The Todd McNair-Reggie Bush connection may, like Dorrell has done with UCLA's tradition, bring the "FREE HOUSE" scandal from the backburner to the forefront, so to speak. Let's hope the evil empire finally starts crumblin' under the weight of all their wrongdoings.

"if I don't do my job, I'm going to get fired" -Karl Dorrell

by godblesstyus95 on Aug 29, 2007 9:24 AM PDT 0 recs

Meriones, you are the man

If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have come to light. Congrats.

by gilbert on Aug 29, 2007 9:27 AM PDT 0 recs

Gil

If I recall from last night, you did a bit of legwork yourself (after Meriones got the ball rolling). Good work on both of your parts.

by bruinhoo on Aug 29, 2007 9:32 AM PDT up 0 recs

Excellent Work Meriones!

One of the many reasons why this site is the greatest. Just sickening, isn't it? Yet further evidence of the shadiness of Pom Pom's program over in South Central. BTW, I LOVE dogs.

Go Bruins!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Aug 29, 2007 9:47 AM PDT 0 recs

Great job Meriones!

There is a link on SI.com to FanNation where it mentions that BN brought up the issue.

Go Bruins!!!

by JKNaka on Aug 29, 2007 10:22 AM PDT 0 recs

Wow

Great find M.

"Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass."

by sfatoo on Aug 29, 2007 10:54 AM PDT 0 recs

Attaboy, M

This discovery is just despicable, though I have to admit I laughed my a$$ off at the deadspin comment.

Duke and North Carolina called: They want Steve Lavin back. GO BRUINS!!

by Allofmybros on Aug 29, 2007 10:56 AM PDT 0 recs

Excellent work, M

That's the kind of fact finding that sets BN apart from the rest. Let me guess, you earned a degree from......U....C....L....A!!!

by kdout on Aug 29, 2007 11:03 AM PDT 0 recs

If the SUC family

became aware of McNair's involvement a week ago or so (as Peetie states), that would coincide with RB Moody's departure from the team. Coincidence?

"if I don't do my job, I'm going to get fired" -Karl Dorrell

by godblesstyus95 on Aug 29, 2007 11:43 AM PDT 0 recs

Excellent work!

SportingNews.com just picked up the story about an hour ago. Their angle is that it probably will amount to nothing and it'll just blow over as long as he says sorry and gives the humane society some money. That would be too bad, but it just might happen considering how things roll at SC. Keep up the pressure. Great job, guys!

by kballs on Aug 29, 2007 12:00 PM PDT 0 recs

this site makes me smile....

good job Meriones!

by redsand514 on Aug 29, 2007 12:59 PM PDT 0 recs

Good job

love how this has become a story. i've already called PETA and sent them an email. hopefully we can get the animal lovers mobilized.

by BillyZoom on Aug 29, 2007 12:59 PM PDT 0 recs

No one will care in a week

After all the stuff that justsc has been guilty of for decades, this trifects (dog "cruelty," bu$hgate and "White Nation") will be swept under the rug by justsc and its journalistic branch, the fishwrap.

justsc will NEVER admit to anything, and the NCAA enforcement people clearly seem to have donated their cojones to the Salvation Army many moons ago.

But things may change if we keep the pressure on. In light of the McNair-White Nation connection, maybe it's time to dust that one off and shine some more light on it.

by Fox 71 on Aug 29, 2007 12:59 PM PDT 0 recs

You are probably right

about all of the above, but it feels good to keep the pressure on. At least the nation (not just the Bruins Nation) can see for itself the kind of people (including The Humanitarian) we are dealing with over at Miami of the West.

I still believe that if the despicable cartoons from the White Nation incident had been published in the MSM (that means you, LAT), it would have generated a lot more attention.

The Sucsters want to portray themselves as "just like everyone else" (their idiotic mantra). The world is better off knowing the true facts and not buying into The Humanitarian's version of utopia.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 1:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm all for keeping the pressure on.

It's just that I doubt anything will come of it. It hasn't so far. They just have a different set of rules.

by Fox 71 on Aug 29, 2007 1:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

And...

Sometimes you have to follow those rules.

Go Bruins!!!

by JKNaka on Aug 29, 2007 2:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Something interesting

The guys over at BeatSC.com wrote on this story but didn't bother to give any credit to BN.

by bluestreet on Aug 29, 2007 1:36 PM PDT 0 recs

Beatsc.com

I lost quite a bit of respect for them. They are good at what they do - exposing the foibles in the justsc "system." But a day or a week or so ago, there was a pretty strident condemnation of the BN for shining the light of truth on Mr. Dorrell and his body of work.

by Fox 71 on Aug 29, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

If I remember correctly

They took at shot at Dump Dorrell for being on the Bruin Show. I don't remember taking any shots against BN. But may be they are upset with all the KD related commentary on BN?

Kind of petty if you ask me. At the end of the day despite all of our disagreements we are all Bruins. Something they may not be grasping (if my speculation as to why they didn't credit BN in their post is on the mark).

by bluestreet on Aug 29, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

BeatSC.com has been like that for a while

I remember reading an article on it last year (or maybe early this year) that pretty much condemned the KD bashing occurring on the internet. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what the guys at BeatSC were talking about. That was my first inclination that they don't like us (BN and DD) very much.

It's really too bad. I find the writing on that site to be quite clever. I guess talent doesn't keep you from drinking the kool-aid though.

by BruinFan1 on Aug 29, 2007 1:57 PM PDT 0 recs

Its clever at times

But it is also kind of trashy.

by bluestreet on Aug 29, 2007 2:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

To be honest

I only look at it for all the great pics of the cheerleaders.

Otherwise, it needs tighter editing and to cool it on the not-so-subtle slams against the KD critics.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 29, 2007 2:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

When Barnes is right, he's right

The editorial staff over there has got an eye for beauty, and our cheerleaders and dancers are very easy on the eye.

by Fox 71 on Aug 29, 2007 3:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Does anyone else wonder

what else might be going on within the disgrace of a program they have over there that they've managed to keep a lid on? In other words, if the Bu$h payments and White Nation and animal cruelty stories have managed to seep out of their boiling kettle of sewage, just how many other incidents, major or minor, have they managed to keep hidden away?

It would appear that Cheatie and his goons have the LA Times pretty much sewn up, but there must be other reproting agencies that can do some digging, just as was done on this story, who are not somehow beholden to the south central spin machine.

Just wondering.

Cheat on, trOJies!

by Class of 86 on Aug 29, 2007 4:01 PM PDT 0 recs

Does anyone look at the $c Blogs?

I don't have a lot of time to spend surfing the Internet. Damn work keeps getting in the way. I am curious if anyone is monitoring any of the $c blogs and what the reaction has been to this brewing animal cruelty scandal.

I would say this situation is similar to the Eric Scott issue we experienced a few weeks ago. There was some excellent discussion on BN, especially regarding the pros and cons of his future status with the team. Many BN posters expressed heartfelt dismay over the ES situation and the ensuing embarrassment to the university and wanted him gone. Even those like me, that said let's wait until we hear the full story before we condemn ES, more often than not, followed that up with, but if these charges are true he should be gone.

Are the $c fans expressing similar opinions about McNair or is it the usual, BS excuses, such as, "much ado about nothing", "never happened", "so long ago it doesn't matter", and/or other statements that show they are in total denial over the serious nature of these accusations or they just want to sweep anything negative about the $c football program under the rug?

One final thought: I hope they do not try to play the race card on this one as some pundits did with Michael Vick. That is worse than being in denial over the serious nature of these charges.

by Bruin77 on Aug 29, 2007 4:50 PM PDT 0 recs

No need to read the justsc blogs

They came here when they perceived an ability to take shots at the only remaining arrow in Mr. Dorrell's quiver (the integrity one), then ran and hid when we actually demanded accountability from Morgan Center instead of offering excuses.

Those same people should be pleased to come here and report on the actions taken by the various alumni groups, the administration, the faculty, the student body and, of course, Cheatie Petie. Oh. Wait. There have been no actions taken. Sorry, disregard the post.

by Fox 71 on Aug 29, 2007 5:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

Carroll & McNair.

Just when you think a program couldn't sink any lower.
Who is in charge over there? The President, Chancellor, Board of Trustees'?
Great find once again by BN. A must read for all college football fans.

by jim masterson on Aug 29, 2007 6:04 PM PDT 0 recs

Heard around 5:30 this evening . . .

on AM 710, bruinsnation.com getting credit for the leak of the Todd McNair case. J. Ireland mentioned this blog a couple times!! I can't stand J. Ireland, but he did admit to reading the story last night here.

by TheStick on Aug 29, 2007 6:50 PM PDT 0 recs

I go camping for a long weekend...

and I come back to this! M, this is amazing! I'm still trying to catch up on all the threads and links.

I've got some questions - why did Pom Pom only find out about this a week ago? Did he just hire McNair a week ago? Did SuC (and all other programs) finally run background checks on their staff b/c of the Scott debacle?

by lunabruin on Aug 29, 2007 8:47 PM PDT 0 recs

How awesome.

Yes we found the dirt. Now the trOJies have their very own Michael Vick. This is totally worse than anything we have ever done. Take away Eric Scott, and our entire program and coaching staff is clean as a whistle. $C can't say that. They're all corrupt over there. Murderers, rapists, assaulters, and now dog killers. I think we should just arrest anyone with a $C diploma and ship them to camp X-Ray.

by joeb on Aug 29, 2007 8:52 PM PDT 0 recs