What Happens Now With P. Diddy, Justin Combs and UCLA Football?
It was an interesting week in UCLA football. It was like nothing that has been experienced before. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, father of Bruin defensive back Justin Combs, attacked strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi and swung a kettle bell at an intern’s head. Combs was arrested and later posted bail for $50,000 (though jail records show it was $160,000).
That was Monday.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is looking to pursue charges against Combs.
UCLA Bruins
On Wednesday, UCLA football claimed that they do not want to pursue charges, mostly because this allegedly will not shine a good light on the program, though UCLA did nothing wrong. Apparently.
This all started because Alosi was being tough on Justin Combs in a practice where it appeared he was not giving his all. It also did not help matters that Combs had missed a few previous workouts, from what has been reported. This came to a head when Alosi had enough of Combs’ apparent lack of effort and kicked him out of practice.
The older Combs did not appreciate that and took matters into his own hands. The funny thing is that Diddy claims that he was acting in self-defense, despite UCPD reviewing security cameras in the Acosta Athletic Training Facility, then taking the rapper into custody and not the coach.
While UCLA has been quiet on this issue, as they should be, it appears as if Diddy’s camp is using anything they can to spin this story.
First, TMZ reported that Justin Combs has suffered psychological damage by the coach. They then had a follow-up piece that said Alosi humiliated the younger Combs for court-side seats to the NBA All-Star Game.
As for Justin Combs himself, he has taken to social media to support his dad. Though it is not out of the question to defend a family member in a bad situation as this, he is doing it after his father attacked a coach and could have seriously injured an intern with a kettle bell, had the rapper landed a blow to the head.
Because of the sensitivity on both sides, maybe the junior defensive back should do nothing at all.
Though one should support their father and forgive them for committing a crime, like UCLA appears to be doing, Justin does not seem to be doing himself any favors with the Bruin football program. Who knows, maybe this will all go away, but just as likely, Combs could also walk away from UCLA.
If he wants to leave, fine. If he wants to stay, great, but the effort needs to be there. Also, the handling of this situation should be done in-house, not in public.
UCLA football is a Division I school and head coach Jim Mora has done everything he can to make sure of that. He wants a team of men that are looking to get to that next level. Alosi is a tough coach that gets those results, that is why Mora hired him. Sure he may not be the most personal guy on the staff, but he gets his job done and many appreciate him for that.
On Thursday, former UCLA football linebacker Todd Golper gave his perspective on Alosi, via Scout.com.
"Coach Alosi is quiet, humble, intense and absolutely one of the hardest working men I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside and being mentored by in my life."
Golper contiued by saying “if you respect [Alosi’s] program, his vision and dream as well as his staff, he will respect you and do everything in his right mmd to help you.”
Basically, Alosi is just a football coach. One that expects results and if you cannot give him those results, then there might be no place for you on the team. Alosi, as well as Mora, are building a national contender and you do not do that by missing practices. You build one of the best teams in the nation by putting in the time and then some.
If a player at a school like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas and even USC, gave a lack of effort, you can be sure their coaches would do the same. They need to motivate the players somehow because sometimes they need motivating and calling a player out for his lack of effort might be the only way to get through to a them.
February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Recording artist Puff Daddy (Sean Combs a.k.a. Diddy, P. Diddy) during halftime of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The West defeated the East 163-158. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
If Combs is willing to do the work, then bless him. If not, then he already made his decision. As for his father, P. Diddy, maybe it is best if he tries to limit his time around UCLA or TMZ, because if that security video comes out and proves he did what he was arrested for, that will not be a good look for the rapper, especially with the investigation on going.
UCLA football has a vision and not one person is going to derail that, celebrity or not. To win as a team, you must work as a team.
To paraphrase a quote from the movie Miracle, “The name of the team is more important than the name on the back of the jersey”. That goes for every one on every team, everywhere. That is how championships are won.