Super Bowl champion TE criticizes major college football coach's NIL comments

Tensions in college sports are escalating due to the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, which have shifted financial dynamics and sparked debate over historical narratives. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley ignited controversy during an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" by suggesting that NIL has ended a geographical monopoly on player compensation, indirectly referencing the SEC. Riley argued that NIL creates a more balanced playing field by allowing all programs to financially support players.

Former NFL player Benjamin Watson publicly criticized Riley's comments, labeling them as "laughable" and accusing him of historical revisionism to obscure his own program's challenges. Watson, who played 15 years in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, challenged Riley's narrative on social media, suggesting it was a tactic to deflect criticism from USC's inconsistent performance.

Riley's tenure at USC has been marked by strong recruiting but mixed on-field results, with a 35-18 record