Sean 'Diddy' Combs Justin Combs - P 2012
Getty ImagesHip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of the richest figures in the music industry, with his own record label, clothing line, a movie production company and two restaurants under his name.
Known for his lavish lifestyle, Combs gave his son, Justin Combs, a $360,000 Maybach for his16th birthday. The gift was presented to his son during MTV’s Super Sweet Sixteen special.
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Now Justin Combs is heading off to UCLA, and the school gave him a $54,000 scholarship to play football starting this fall.
The news of Combs’ full scholarship sparked a heated discussion around the web about whether a cash-strapped California university should be handing out scholarships to the son of one of the richest men in entertainment. Additionally some question whether Justin Combs should have accepted it.
Justin Combs, who is 5-foot-9, 170-pounds and reportedly graduated from New York’s New Rochelle Iona Prep with a 3.75 GPA, took to Twitter to defend his scholarship.
“Regardless what the circumstances are, I put that work in!!!! PERIOD,” he tweeted.
UCLA also released a statement defending the school’s decision to hand out athletic scholarships, which do not pull from state funds.
“Unlike need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships are awarded to students strictly on the basis of their athletic and academic ability — not their financial need,” reads the statement. “Athletic scholarships, such as those awarded to football or basketball players, do not rely on state funds.”
The statement adds that the athletics scholarships are funded “through UCLA Athletics ticket sales, corporate partnerships, media contracts and private donations from supporters.”
Combs, a defensive back, announced in November 2011 that he would attend UCLA to play football. He turned down offers from Wyoming, Illinois and Virginia.
“Regardless of what you do in life every1 is gonna have their own opinion,” Combs also Tweeted. “Stay focused, keep that tunnel vision & never 4get why u started.”
