Pookey

I believe this topic is hot right now and NCAA scandals are always in the news.This is my synopsis / treatment by Michael Tillery ............  Clarence Reece's name could possibly have been aligned with the all time receiving greats of the NFL. Instead of the glory of a pro career and the ease of NFL retirement, he has been on a lifelong quest to tell his intriguing and dramatic story--a story which highlights the real deal of behind the scene shadiness of every day life at big time power USC.   USC wasn't high on his list and used deception--shamefully through his mother--to get Reece to basically sign his life away.   What happened during his time there was absolutely criminal.   USC of the seventies was very similar to the team dominating college football today. He played during the era of Lynn Swann, Anthony Davis and Pat Haden. Reece was a speedy receiver that stretched the field at will, but nepotism and politics kept him on the sideline behind inferior talent--which just so happened to be the head coach's son.   Instead of taking advantage of his 4.3 speed, Coach John McKay went with J.K. McKay and the effect of such a blatantly obvious move caused seismic ripples throughout the team. His talent was never allowed to develop with the Trojans. Could you imagine the frustration of suiting up for a national power and not being able to show the world that you are the best receiver alive?   Being of strong will, Reece would not take no for an answer. He made sure anyone and everyone knew of his plight and even took his story to the L.A. Times.   Things were never the same again as USC went into cover up mode.   Reece went to the CFL for a year and later signed a 3 year deal with the Houston Oilers.   The NFL at the time had qualifying rules for players to protect the "integrity" of the league. In 1975, Commissioner Rozelle disapproved the contract between Clarence Reece and the Houston Oilers, on the grounds that Reece had not yet satisfied NFL eligibility requirements. Reece withdrew from the University of Southern California in 1974, following his sophomore year, and signed with the Canadian Football League for the 1974 season. In 1975, he signed with the Oilers. When the Commissioner disapproved his Oilers' contract, Reece filed an antitrust suit in federal District Court in Los Angeles, alleging that the NFL eligibility rules constituted an illegal group boycott, and was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.   He was the first to fight the legality of the NFL's ruling. Players like Bernie Kosar, (NFL Draft Controversy) ... Michael Vick, who left Virginia Tech without graduating after three years, and became the top pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vince Young, who left Texas U. without graduating after three years... Then you have ... Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Dwayne Jarrett --coincidentally from The University of Southern California -- who left USC without graduating after three years ---owe a debt of gratitude because of the trailblazing efforts of Clarence Reece.His story is one that could help an untold number of players unaware of what's in store when signing on the dotted line.   Clarence Reece sacrificed a good part of his life because of the disloyal activities of USC.   Now he has a story to tell....    This is quite a life I've led and it would certainly make an amazing book if not, an awesome movie.Thanks,http://home.comcast.net/~spytime/(my website) ........(Book / Screenplay coming soon)