Received a link to this story a few days ago. It was reported earlier this month, but it involves an incident that happened more than a year ago. Apparently a high school football recruit forgot that Yao Ming Visa commercial.

You always have to ask. Never, never, never assume you can write a check. Preferably before the pizza gets to the door.

Seriously, though, several weird parts to this story. (Yes, besides the fact that Fresno State coach Pat Hill apparently had to commit a minor NCAA violation to stop a rumble. Not that minor violations are uncommon. I'm probably committing one right now and don't even know it.)

First off, what was Tyrone Duncan thinking? He must not have been interested in Fresno State AT ALL. Because that's maybe not the impression you'd like to give. When a Division I head football coach comes all the way to Southern California for an in-home visit, you'd think you could do him the honor of not fist-fighting the pizza guy on the front lawn.

Duncan didn't end up going to Fresno State -- SHOCKER! -- he went to the University of Washington, where they have a history of accepting athletes with anger-management issues. Sadly, a lot of programs do.

It was weird timing that the Duncan story came out just days after the Seattle Times was releasing its fascinating series, "Victory and Ruins" on the 2000 Washington Huskies, the Rose Bowl champs. (Obviously, Duncan had no connection to that.)

As it turns out, the 2000 Huskies included some shady characters, and a lot of people looked the other way because they were winning. It's a heartbreaking series, especially the third story, which is entirely about Fresno native Curtis Williams. He was the player who was paralyzed during a hit on the football field and later died. Seems he was also a felon and abused his wife, who now lives in Alaska.

The series is long, but you should read every word. You will never again cheer for any NFL team who would let tight end Jerramy Stevens wear its uniform. Nearly as sad, are some of the comments by readers who were angry at the Seattle Times for stirring up trouble for their team. The Times just hates the Huskies! Ah, the die-hard college football fans. Classy.

But back to Duncan. After the pizza incident, he went on to Washington, where he said he was going to make an immediate impact. Instead, he had shoulder surgery and redshirted the 2007-2008 season. Either way, sounds like Fresno State dodged a potential migraine.

UPDATE: Yao Ming out for the season. Oops. This blog suddenly has a cursed feel to it. Headline writers, crank up those "Houston we have a problem" puns.