USC Trojans Football: Scott Felix loses his NCAA Appeal, ends college football career

USC Trojans Defensive End Scott Felix lost his NCAA Appeal this week after the NCAA stripped Felix of his final year of eligibility for taking a banned substance. Since Felix has no more years of eligibility left he will not be able to return to the field for the Trojans.

Felix started 15 games during his USC career. In the 2015 season he had four sacks, five and a half tackles for loss and 28 total tackles. His return to the field would have provided the USC defensive front much-needed veteran leadership after Kenny Bigelow's injury and losing five other veterans to the NFL draft or graduation.

Clay Helton expressed his appreciation and pride in Scott Felix and what he has contributed to the program. Helton was also happy to hear that Felix intends to finish his degree. The University is exploring ways that allow Felix to contribute to the football team while he continues working toward his degree in theater. Felix released a statement after the appeal apologizing for the mistake he made while clarifying that he thought the over-the-counter supplement he took was an approved substance. You can read the full text of his statement below:

"As student-athletes, we are role models in our communities and give younger generations something to strive for. I have always appreciated the platform that we are blessed with here at USC and I will always be grateful to this great university. I take great pride in being a Trojan and will forever bleed Cardinal and Gold. Our motto is Fight On and now I truly am living by that standard.

In life, people make mistakes and I am no different. I'm disappointed to say that I have lost my final year of eligibility in 2016. I took an over-the-counter supplement from a local nutrition store without consulting our medical staff, believing that there were no red flags in the supplement. I made a mistake in believing my research was enough to prove the supplement was safe to take. We are educated on these topics here at USC so that something like this never happens and I hope that it never will again. While this mistake was not done on purpose, I take full responsibility for my actions.

I want to apologize to my teammates, my coaches, my family, my USC family, the amazing fans, and to the greats who paved the way here at USC. To my teammates: I hope that you will all learn from my mistakes and never have to go through this process. To my coaches: thank you for teaching me lessons I will never forget. To the great fans of USC: you have made my experience here unforgettable, there is no better feeling than playing in front of you in the Coliseum. To the greats who forged USC Football: thank you for inspiring me every day, and I will always strive to be like you guys.

I was always raised that a man finishes what he started, no matter what the circumstances, so I will fulfill my commitment to my team. I have accepted my situation and am now looking forward to helping my teammates in any way that I can. I will be the most energetic fan on the sidelines in supporting my brothers in this 2016 season. I will truly embody the Trojan way in Fighting On for this season and for the rest of my life. We get knocked down in life. It does not matter how hard you get hit, it matters how hard you can get hit and get back up; and I fully intend to stand up.

Thank you and Fight On!

-Scott Felix"

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