In a major announcement on Wednesday, the NCAA board of governors ruled that student-athletes would be able to start profiting off their name, image and likeness. And come Thursday, plenty of college athletes waited little time to secure endorsement deals.
But while the decision was an important step that will help current and future athletes, it also put former athletes who were punished for “impermissible benefits” in an awkward position. None more notable than former USC star and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
After the new rules were announced, plenty of sports fans called for the NCAA and Heisman Trust to reverse course and return Bush’s awards and records.
On Thursday, the former NFL running back took to Twitter and offered his own reaction to the news.
In a statement, he said that the Heisman Trust still hasn’t been receptive to his calls.
My statement… pic.twitter.com/kbyqXgHncf
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 1, 2021
He also added on Twitter that he “never cheated this game.”
I never cheated this game. That was what they wanted you to believe about me.
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 1, 2021
The NCAA is somewhat flying blind with these new rules and taking a hands-off approach. But you do hope there can be some retroactive measures taken to recognize what players like Bush accomplished.
[mm-video type=video id=01f8zfrk19grfbj7gn55 playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f8zfrk19grfbj7gn55/01f8zfrk19grfbj7gn55-bf0f74eb62ddfa793b00ff30a7e32bdd.jpg]