USC safety Taylor Mays prides himself on making physical plays, but he was shocked that some recent ones resounded all the way to the nation's capital.
That's what happened Wednesday when Mays got blindsided by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on NFL head injuries.
Lungren, a Notre Dame graduate, first talked about former Oakland Raiders player Jack Tatum setting the bar for hits designed to injure.
He then complained about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow being rushed back from a concussion before finally getting to Mays.
The congressman didn't identify the two-time All-American by name, but said that while attending a Notre Dame game a couple of weeks ago he "saw a headhunter on the field" tear the helmet off a player.
Lungren was referring to Mays' fourth-quarter hit on Notre Dame receiver Robby Parris, who lost his helmet on the play. Lungren said that no penalty was called on the play, but Mays was actually flagged for a personal foul.
Lungren then pointed out that last Saturday Mays tore the helmet off Oregon State receiver James Rodgers, on a play the Beavers scored a touchdown. No penalty was called on that play, and the Pacific 10 Conference on Monday announced it had suspended the official who should have made a call.
Coach Pete Carroll this week defended Mays' physical style and Rodgers on Tuesday absolved Mays of dirty play.
When informed of Lungren's comments, Mays reiterated that he was not out to injure other players. He also wondered aloud if he might hear from the White House next.
"Maybe [President] Obama will give me a call," he said, chuckling. "I don't have any bad intentions. I don't know how it could get that far but that's just the reality of the situation."
Early preparation
After facing two strong passers in Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen and Oregon State's Sean Canfield, the Trojans are switching gears as they prepare for Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon's mobile quarterback. "This is like our bread and butter," middle linebacker Chris Galippo said. "We've been preparing for the spread offense, I feel like, since camp knowing that San Jose State was going to come out in it and Ohio State was going to use some of it.
"So this is really our best stuff right now. . . . It's good to be back into some stuff that we're super confident in."
Tyler update
