Reggie Bush, Loved & Hated in Louisiana

Reggie Bush, former Heisman Trophy winner for USC and current savior of the New Orleans Saints, went from hated Trojan to beloved Saint last year all in the matter of a few hours. When the Texans inexplicably signed Mario Williams right before the draft, the bayous of Louisiana were awash in Cajun yelps of joy. Louisianans understood that Bush was a fantastic player despite the fact that he played for USC, a team that LSU will forever hate because of the "shared" national championship of 2003. Bush delivered on his immense promise as a player that could lift the Saints from their dreary history to a possible Super Bowl. Louisiana forgave Reggie for his past indiscretions in LA and loved him, not only for his spectacular play, but also for his considerable community work in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Consider those days gone, Reggie. Hardcore LSU recruitniks may have a hard time forgiving Reggie for helping USC snag uber recruit Joe McKnight away from the home state LSU Tigers by possibly committing a NCAA violation. It seems there is some question as to how involved Reggie Bush was in McKnight's recruitment. Former players are not supposed to contact recruits.

I figure this latest spurt of Reggie hate will last until Reggie makes one of his spectacular cutback runs in the Saints's opening game.