NCAAF - Sports Rumors

Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:30 am EDT

USC players battling 'jock itch' outbreak

By Joe Zedalis

Pete Carroll

Getty Images

Each day, it seems, another player shows up at USC football practice with a pained expression and an uncomfortable gait, feet spread wide, stepping gingerly across the turf. They are victims of an ailment that has swept through the team during training camp, something that coaches refer to as "a skin irritation.

"The players call it "jock itch."

While dislocated kneecaps and high ankle sprains draw more attention, Coach Pete Carroll said he has never seen anything like the minor outbreak that caused key players to miss practice Wednesday. As much as 25% of the team has been affected by the apparent run of tinea cruris, kicker David Buehler estimated. The condition seems to have spread by way of new compression shorts, or tights, worn under their football pants.


Tailback Joe McKnight and receiver Travon Patterson were sufficiently afflicted to spend Wednesday's practice on the sideline.

"It burns," Patterson said.

In recent years, the team has battled more serious incidents of staph infection, employing measures such as washing uniforms in hotter water.

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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75 Comments

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  1. sayds15
    1. Posted by sayds15 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    It burns!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    lol
  2. buttery boo
    2. Posted by buttery boo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    Maybe they were mean to the campus nerds, and Louis, Gilbert, Booger, Poindexter and the rest of the gang got their "revenge."
  3. amandashusband1219
    3. Posted by amandashusband1219 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:52 pm EDT

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    They are just looking for an excuse for when Ohio State beats them.
  4. Score Board
    4. Posted by Score Board Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    Too much information!
    Rick Neuheisel has to be behind this.
  5. Don
    5. Posted by Don Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    It could have been the nerds, or it could have been one of the five star recruits who's finally realized that he'll be surfing the bench on the third string when he could've been starting somewhere else. Bye-bye to those NFL dreams...
  6. joel s
    6. Posted by joel s Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    carma , its the ncaa gods getting them back for reggie bush
  7. yeagators
    7. Posted by yeagators Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:55 pm EDT

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    Don' t wear the compression shorts and shower regularly................
  8. your mom
    8. Posted by your mom Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    couldnt have happend to a more deserving group of spoiled children!!
  9. Evans
    9. Posted by Evans Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

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    Why does anyone want or need to know this?
  10. Internet Doctor
    10. Posted by Internet Doctor Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    its the same thing as ringworm and its just like a different form of athletes foot, its the same thing just in a different part of the body. either way heres the way to kill it... get in the shower with a thing of bleech and a butter knife. scratch open the ringworm with the butterknife and pour straight bleech on it. then put rubbing alcohol on it. followed by more bleech then give it some more alcohol. while your in the shower of course. after the shower dry the area and then cover it in clear nail polish. this hurts like hell but it works. i had no jock itch but i did have a deep burn for a few days. that cleared up within a day or two and now all i have is a little bald spot on my leg thats hardly noticable.
    Ryan W---are you serious!? I think there are probably some easier ways to get rid of jock itch...lol!!!
  11. Beege
    11. Posted by Beege Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Expect the Trojan defense to come into the Virginia game with an attitude. The defense is already mean and will get meaner. Just keep egging them on. Fight On!
  12. boyd
    12. Posted by boyd Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Maybe their "boosters" can "donate" some, just leave it in their paid off cars or rent free houses. Brings new meaning to "dirtiest program this side of Ohio State" pharse.
  13. Foster
    13. Posted by Foster Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    Some of you people need a major attitude adjustment! These kids haven't done anything to you. They are just a bunch of guys who want to play football, and happen to have something going on in their crotches. It wasn't "deserved", It isn't a "payback", it is just something that has happened! Grow up!
  14. troy
    14. Posted by troy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    i hope they sratch all season!! it couldnt be better than a bunch of cheaters cry "it burns!!!" maybe they will learn to not to use each other mini jocks LOL!!!!, but this is the first in line of excuses when ohio crushes them and maybe stanford again hahahahhahahhaa and they ranked them #2, guess money prevails out west
  15. K-Hu
    15. Posted by K-Hu Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    Hahahaha
    go bruins!
  16. AlA
    16. Posted by AlA Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    This really isn't an issue that will impact the team's play.
    But in all seriousness USC should look to see if there's an issue with how clean their shower/bathroom facilities are. I don't really believe this was brought on by a prank.
    Lakeside I agree with you completely. There's no need for the trash talk regarding this subject.
  17. reggiecheats
    17. Posted by reggiecheats Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    No need for trash talk, but freaking hilarious! ND should watch some videos on "jock itch" and maybe they too will be able to tackle the trojans in the near future. go irish.
  18. fingerssfv
    18. Posted by fingerssfv Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Well, it is not the nicest pest to bother athletes, but there could be worse scenarios. Let's hope they have a doctor experienced in things like this and hope as well that there is a fast-acting medication/ointment/cream that does the trick. I hate any kind of rash in this heat. It just amplifies the ailment/affliction.
    A word of advice to the equipment manager: MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR BEST IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF BACTERIA AND SUCH. Try some kind of fabric softener, which will help in preventing the rubbing of rough spots. Hot water, double rinse cycles and a fabric softener without the scents. I wouldn't want to go around being known for my scented athletic supporter. ...or Flower scented under-shirt. --fingers SFV
  19. fingerssfv
    19. Posted by fingerssfv Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Lakeside makes a lot of sense; those football players (some of who are new to USC) are just like every other player on every other team. Just guys who are trying to play football. What does the NCAA have to do with that? Revenge for what? I remember a few years ago when UCLA had a break out of staph, and didn't SC as well? Nothing nice, I'm sure. I thank goodness I never had suffered from anything worse than thirst during practice. And Kim K? I could stare at her for a while. Doesn't matter what you may think of her; that girl is hot!!! As far as OHIO State beating SC; don't think so. Not even with Mustain, Corp or Sanchez at the helm. Nope, OSU is going down. Every year, USC plays a potential #1 for their first opponent and every year USC beats the dogs**t out of them. Each and every year. What makes anyone think this year is going to be any different? I will not launch personal attacks on any blogger or fan. please do not attack me for my opinion. thank you
  20. Uncle Rico
    20. Posted by Uncle Rico Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    Is this news worthy? I have had jock itch my whole life! I use the fungus and yeast to make bread. No big deal. Ask the UCLA coaching staff, they eat it everyday.
  21. rimdevil
    21. Posted by rimdevil Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Maybe if they took a bath once in awhile. Maybe it's a case of nerves - they have to play the Sun Devils.
  22. Lover of Real Music
    22. Posted by Lover of Real Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    We only have 2 5 star guys. Matt and Tyron won't be on 3rd string or riding the bench. They will DEFINITELY start next year and probably later this year too. Expect Matt Kalil to be drafted within the top 10 in 4 years, you Buckeye loser. I'm from Cincinnati and we all know that only steers and qu... come from Columbus! Which one are you?
  23. Outland Minnesota
    23. Posted by Outland Minnesota Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    Instead of "USC sucks" this year the slogan will be:"USC burns...don't Itch it ! "
  24. Smokeisdaman
    24. Posted by Smokeisdaman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Outland - thats comment slayed me ROFL
  25. leah
    25. Posted by leah Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

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    what the F why would you print this?!?!?!?!?!?!

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