Rule #46: Take everything you hear with a grain of salt

Hold your horses.

My last post seems to have been founded on a very big misunderstanding. USC AD Pat Haden has clarified his comments in a recent USA Today article with regards to Reggie Bush:

“Never did he say I’m sorry or I apologize,” Haden said. “Never did he say, 'I lied to the NCAA or I took stuff.' ”...

...“I would say it was conversation of him being contrite, but not an apology,” Haden said.

Haden said that he checked with USC’s compliance department before taking the call from Bush, who plays for the New Orleans Saints. Haden said he mostly listened during the call.

“When we say we have to disassociate ourselves, I didn’t know if I could talk to him or even listen to him,” Haden said. “It was basically just a conversation about him feeling bad about what he put the university through.”

Well that's...disappointing.

But what does it mean?

First, USA Today writers need to invest in a dictionary. 

According to Merriam-Webster.com, the definition of contrite is "feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming."

On the other hand, an apology is defined as "an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret."

Close in meaning, but not interchangeable. Come on USA Today, get your head in the game! ...

Alright, I admit. I might have fallen for it too. With all the talk about Bush acknowledging that he made "a series of mistakes" it certainly sounded like he admitted error.

So let's just call this as a teachable moment and from now on very closely parse the exact meaning of everything Pat Haden, the Rhode Scholar, says.

Second, what exactly was involved in the "series of mistakes" Haden mentioned? Did Reggie admit to making mistakes in handling the Lake accusations? Or dealing with the NCAA? Or was that Haden misunderstanding Bush this time?

Third, is it possible that Bush did indeed apologize, i.e. give "an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret," but did so with an expectation of privacy that Haden didn't understand? It would explain why Haden is now backtracking.

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking from someone who so desperately wants to think the best of Reggie Bush...