During the team meeting at Heritage Hall, Bill Withers -- the renowned songwriter famous for "Lean on Me" -- came in as an NCAA representative before breaking his cover and revealing his true identity as the man whose song the Trojans sang during a meeting two weeks ago.
"You guys have been punk'd big-time," Withers told the players after his serious 10-minute lecture about a made-up fungus.
Good times ensued, as Withers called linebacker Marquis Simmons to the front of the packed auditorium to hear him lead the same "Lean on Me" song that has become an internet sensation in recent weeks.
"I want the Youtube version," a grinning Withers told Simmons after giving him the first few notes of the song on the piano.
The Trojans then watched some of Withers' famous music videos before the 71-year-old music icon shared some thoughts.
"Don't lose sight of this camaraderie that you have now," said Withers, with whom Coach Carroll connected after Simmons' performance in the team meeting two weeks ago. "And lean on each other. It's macho -- you don't give up any of your machismo if you lean on each other."
Watch the full video featuring Withers at Friday's team meeting in the latest feature from USCRipsIt, produced by Rob McPherson:
Here are some photos from Friday night's Bill Withers appearance at the USC team meeting:
Legendary singer Bill Withers addresses the Trojans during Friday night's team meeting. Withers pretended he was an NCAA representative before breaking the news that he had punk'd them.
Players react with rousing applause after they find out their apparent guest speaker from the NCAA was actually legendary singer Bill Withers.
Bill Withers puts his arm around freshman linebacker Marquis Simmons, who sang "Lean on Me" in USC's team meeting on Aug. 9 and again on Friday in front of the songwriter.
Bill Withers, his daughter Kori and Coach Carroll chat in Carroll's office on Friday night.
And here's the original "Lean on Me" rendition from the team meeting on Aug. 9, the scene that inspired Friday night's guest appearance from Withers:
