USC football: School officials warn athletes not to attend Everson Griffen’s Super Bowl trip to Las Vegas

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Former USC defensive end Everson Griffen continues to keep the Trojans in the news — though not for reasons the school would like.

USC administrators on Thursday sent e-mails to football players and all other school athletes prohibiting them from attending a trip to Las Vegas this weekend organized by Griffen.

Griffen, who played for USC from 2007 to 2009, was arrested Monday and was booked on suspicion of felony battery after an incident in which he allegedly grabbed an officer’s crotch during an altercation after a traffic stop near campus. Police used a Taser to subdue Griffen, who recently completed his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. Prosecutors said they would refer the case to the city attorney’s office for possible misdemeanor filing because Griffen does not have a criminal record and because the officer he allegedly grabbed was uninjured.

The e-mail, sent Thursday by Athletic Director Pat Haden and vice president for athletic compliance Dave Roberts, read:

“It has come to our attention that a current NFL player and former USC student-athlete, Everson Griffen, along with Jordan Campbell, a former student-athlete who is or was affiliated with First Round Entertainment, have arranged for and are promoting a Super Bowl Weekend trip to Las Vegas over the Super Bowl weekend (February 4–6).

“Because of the NCAA rules concerning gambling, impermissible extra benefits and the conduct of agents, we believe that there is a significant chance that the eligibility of any student-athlete who participates in such a trip would be jeopardized.

“Therefore, you are not permitted to partake or participate in the Super Bowl Weekend trip that has been arranged and promoted by Mr. Griffen or Mr. Campbell under any circumstances.”

Campbell was suspended from USC’s team last year for violating team rules and transferred to Louisville. 1st Round Entertainment is owned by Teague Egan, a USC student who was an NFL agent before he was decertified in December by the NFL Players Assn., for providing Trojans tailback Dillon Baxter with a golf cart ride on campus. Egan is appealing the ruling.

Neither Griffin nor Campbell could be reached for comment.

In a text message, Griffen told ESPNLosAngeles.com, which first reported about the e-mail: ‘I’m a businessman. I’m trying to start my promoting business, I’m not doing everything at all. Just bring everyone down to Vegas for superbowl weekend for 100 dollars.

‘I’m not paying for anything.’

--Gary Klein