USC Student Rally
Students and former Trojans energized the team ahead of Notre Dame
A group of over 50 students gathered at Howard Jones Field today expecting to cheer on the players on their way out of practice.
What the students did not expect, was for Coach Clay Helton to call them over and have them take a knee with the team after practice. The students and players listened intently as former USC players Keyshawn Johnson and Willie McGinest gave motivational talks.
After the students helped break the final huddle with the team, they lined the exit to the field and cheered on the players as they headed to the locker room.
Cheers ranging from “Fight on!” to “Beat the Irish” broke out as the students rallied around the players exiting the field.
Coach Helton was very appreciative of the support from both the students and former players.
“It was the Trojan Family reaching out to us and that’s what makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up,” he said. “We always talk about Trojan Family, and you’re a Trojan for life, but to actually see it and the support we have … it’s very unique.”
After practice, I was able to speak with Keyshawn Johnson and he was very candid about the entire situation.
Johnson was vocal about his support for Clay Helton when talking to the team, and he reiterated his thoughts.
“I would like to see Clay Helton get the job. But he has to do some things to make people believe he’s the guy for the job. I believe he has the opportunity to do so.”
Johnson was also vocal on his opinions about Pat Haden.
“I think he’s great. But sometimes, as great as you are and as smart as you are, you have to take a step back. When you listen to Pete, as I’m sure he did, and others in administration, you don’t really do all of your due diligence because you trust their judgement.”
“I think he’s going to do a better job picking the head coach this time around than the first time. Because all the mistakes that were made in picking the head coach, he will not make again, because he’s learned. And he owns it.”
Last year, Johnson told ATVN’s Connor McGlynn that he would take a “wait and see” approach on coach Steve Sarkisian, but today he pointed out:
“You didn’t see me smiling when he [Sarkisian] was hired, and I’m a good friend of his.”
“I thought the job was too big for him,” Johnson continued. “I like him as a person, I just always felt it was too big for him.”
While many reporters have suggested Clay Helton will not be considered for the head coaching job, an endorsement from Keyshawn Johnson should help his case.
You can reach Jackson Safon here, or follow him on Twitter @JacksonSafon
