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LOOK: USC team plane pops wheelie on tarmac with players still aboard

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•09/18/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

It has certainly been a whirlwind of a week for USC football. Earlier in the week, USC fired head coach Clay Helton, naming Donte Williams interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

After USC’s flight to Pullman, Washington to face Washington State, the plane appears to have gotten too heavy in the back, bringing the back of the plane down and pointing the front into the sky.

Some players were apparently still on the plane when this occurred. Usually planes experience turbulence while in the air. But USC’s turbulent week continued to make big turns as the plane sat still on the tarmac. USC and Washington State are slated to kick off at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday.

It has been an emotional week for USC

When news broke that USC had moved on from Clay Helton just two games into the season, it sent shockwaves throughout the nation. USC football players were understandably emotional, and some were even moved to tears.

“Players were in tears at the news,” tweeted Yahoo’s Pete Thamel. “Former players love Helton. He brought class and dignity to USC football, which desperately needed it. Can’t overstate what a good human being Clay Helton is.”

While being dismissed made it a tough day for Helton himself, he penned a heartfelt message to USC fans, players, and administration.

“On behalf of my family, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as your Head Football Coach at USC,” Clay Helton said in the message he posted on his official Twitter account. “I want to thank the administration, our Trojan students, alumni, and fans for allowing us to be a part of your family.”

Helton went on to say that, despite his dismissal, there would be no bigger supporter of the program this season than Helton himself.

“To our players, both past and present, I am forever indebted to you for what you have given me,” Helton said in the second part of the message. “The relationships we have made and the memories we have made will be with us forever. I am so appreciative for all of the hard work that our current staff and student-athletes have put into preparing for this season, and while it will be hard to not be in the fight with you, I am confident that great things lie ahead. As you compete for a championship, no one will be cheering louder than the Helton family. Fight on!”