O/NSO: Hollywood comeback edition
The Obvious: When Pete Carroll’s Trojans were dominating the first decade of college football in the new millennium, it was standard to see icons from both Hollywood and the recording industry grace games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, practices on Howard Jones/Brian Kennedy fields, or attend meetings inside the McKay Center. Let’s face it, when it comes to celebrity and athletics, no region in the nation can match or outdo Los Angeles, and don’t tell the O/NSO that New York City comes a close second because they don’t.
The Not So Obvious: No university in America can showcase both in person and/or on national television the unique relationship between the University of Southern California and the entertainment world. Not since the Pete Carroll era has there been more anticipation for the return of A-list celebs to the USC football program in some form or another. With the Trojans being hailed as a 2023 preseason Top 10 or possibly a Top 5 team in the country and led by returning All-America quarterback and defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, the reunification of Hollywood/recording imagemakers and USC football/athletics is inevitable.
The Capital Records Building in Hollywood is about eight miles from USC.
(Photo above by Rob Shanahan/Getty Images)
Oh, and did we mention men’s basketball, which will see an uptick in the rich and famous with the arrival of heralded incoming basketball freshman guard Bronny James, the son of you-know-who?
The Obvious: No question, if USC’s second-year head coach Lincoln Riley follows closely in the footsteps of Pete Carroll’s special relationship with nearby Hollywood and the recording industry, it’s a USC “brand” bonanza for the football program and athletics, which may also allow increased NIL possibilities.
The Not So Obvious: Whether Riley will allow the likes of a Snoop Dogg or a Will Ferrell into USC practices or team meetings remains to be seen, so we’ll see how that goes. During the Carroll era, Snoop would rap in a team meeting and even catch passes during practice. It would be hard to see the conservative Riley allowing that, but he could see the value in it with some modifications.
The Obvious: There has always been a love affair between the University of Southern California and the glitz and glamour of SoCal’s entertainment world.
The Not So Obvious: The attention given Caleb Wiliams and Bronny James is spotlighting and reflecting upon both Lincoln Riley and Andy Enfield, respectively. A big challenge, however, will be how Riley and Enfield carefully handle coaching their teams and the demands from the local entertainment machine. Will Riley and/or Enfield allow celebs into their programs while conducting business? The good news is that the expected return of such celebrity appearances coincides with a huge increase of interest in USC athletics. For the record, let’s remember It wasn’t the celebrities that brought down USC at the end of the Carroll years but improper benefits the NCAA deemed as rules violations by the Reggie Bush family.
And don’t think college programs across the country were euphoric to see the entertainment world recoil from USC as positive Bush collateral damage. Now, there’s a sense that those same envious competitors are fearing where the Trojans are headed after their fresh start under Lincoln Riley and with more scrutiny in place.
The Obvious: It is common knowledge that one of USC’s current supporters is the renowned Dr. Dre – famous rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur – and he isn’t shy regarding his support of USC football.
The Not So Obvious: Dr. Dra, whose real name is Andre Romelle Young, is a local success story and his roots of supporting USC began during his youth. One of Dr. Dre’s past USC campus appearances happened during a surprise meeting of the football team in the McKay Center. See below:
The Obvious: When USC football is playing at an elite level, the celebrity types have made themselves quite visible on the sidelines during a game or at practice.
The Not So Obvious: During the Pete Carroll era, it seemed like a revolving door of celebrities, and the players seemed inspired by it. Whether it was Henry “The Fonz” Winkler standing on the Coliseum sidelines or inside the locker room or a surprise punking by Bill Withers and his famous song “Stand by Me” at a team meeting, there was a sense of awe surrounding the football team. The players, coaches, and staff embraced it.
The Obvious: One of USC’s most famous alumni is actor/comedian Will Ferrell, and he hasn’t been shy in supporting the team by coming out of the Coliseum tunnel to lead the team out before kickoff or making a surprise visit to practice.
The Not So Obvious: Former Trojans’ head coach Pete Carroll was renowned for playing pranks on his own team by using the spectacle of celebrities. One legendary hoax included the aforementioned Ferrell during a Trojans practice, and it pretty much sums up the relationship between Hollywood and USC athletics.
The Obvious: When Hollywood and the recording industry are showing up at USC football events, you generally know the football program is surging and in the national spotlight.
The Not So Obvious: Some would argue that the world of entertainment and USC athletics is life in the Los Angeles fast lane or fish bowl. The university, athletes, and their families seem to embrace and revel in it. As current USC head football coach Lincoln Riley has said before, USC is in a very unique situation. Los Angeles is where the lights shine the brightest and it isn’t for everybody.
The Obvious: It hasn’t always been the case that Hollywood exclusively comes to USC football. Sometimes USC comes to Hollywood.
The Not So Obvious: Among the USC football players past and present who have gained fame on the big screen or TV: John Wayne (True Grit), Ward Bond (Wagon Train), Mike Henry (Tarzan), Mike and Marlin McKeever (The Three Stooges Meet Hercules), Tim Rossovich (The Main Event), O.J. Simpson (Naked Gun, The Towering Inferno), Mazio Royster (On Any Given Sunday), John Walker (E.R.), and current Trojan corner Ceyair Wright (Space Jam: A New Legacy).
Current Trojans 2023 corner Ceyair Wright played the son of LeBron James in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
(Photo above by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
The Obvious: And finally, in the current 2023 environment, USC is now on the fast track to not only excel in football once again, but the basketball program is also gaining local and national attention.
The Not So Obvious: This coming fall and winter sports seasons with an All-America quarterback and the basketball son of a legendary basketball player waiting in the wings, the Trojans will have their own high profile celebrities on display. And nobody will love it more than those adoring, image-conscious celebrities who will be dressed in cardinal and gold. Eat your heart out Trojans adversaries.
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