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Another scandal has just rocked the University of Southern California’s football program. Running back Anthony Brown has quit team, claiming that coach Steve Sarkisian is a racist. This new bombshell comes just a day after Josh Shaw was suspended from the team indefinitely over lies he told about injuring his ankles.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. He Said His Coach ‘Treated Like a Slave’
In a now deleted Instagram post, Brown says that “Couldn’t play for racist man.” He adds, “Sark treated me like a slave in his Office…Can’t play for a racist MAN!!!!! #Fighton.”
2. This Comes Just Amid the Josh Shaw Fallout
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This has been a crazy week for USC, beginning last week when athletics director Pat Haden was hospitalized for undisclosed reasons. It continued when senior captain Josh Shaw claimed to have injured his ankles while saving his nephew to drowning. Shaw later admitted that he made that up and the fight looks as though it had something to do with the player’s girlfriend.
3. Sarkisian Has Said He Was Trying to Switch Brown’s Position
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Scout.com says that Sarkisian has replied to Brown, calling the allegations “ridiculous” and saying he was “shocked” by them. The coach added that he and his staff had tried to get Brown to change positions, to no avail. On his official profile at the USC website, it says that Brown would be switching from cornerback to tailback for 2014.
4. Players are Leaping to the Defense of Their Coach
Brown’s former team mates have taken to Twitter to dismiss his allegations:
Coach Sark is a great person/Coach! Please disregard comments that have been made by someone.
— Antwaun Woods (@USCTwocka99) August 28, 2014
Coach Sark was my main recruiter from SC at my HS known him since 05 he's far from racist #comeonnow
— Marc Tyler (@M_Tyler26) August 28, 2014
5. He’s Communications Major
During his time with the Trojans, Brown had 43 tackles and 6 starts. His lack of starts was due to a serious injury he suffered during the 2013 season. Brown, like team mate Josh Shaw, is a native of Southern California. He’s a graduate of Kaiser High School. At USC, he’s a communications major.
