Tag: Reggie Bush Heisman

Reggie Bush Heisman Trophy is a matter of justice for him and USC

It was almost 5,000 days, but Reggie Bush got his Heisman back. It’s a win over the NCAA for Bush and USC.

It’s been over 13 years since Reggie Bush returned his Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trust on September 14, 2010. The move stemmed from pressure placed on him by dubious findings in an NCAA report. As recently as 2021, the Heisman Trust upheld its decision in the face of overwhelming public and legal opinion. However, on Wednesday, justice was finally served for Bush and USC, reversing one of the draconian sanctions levied against Bush from a botched and materially erroneous investigation constructed by the NCAA.

The Heisman Trust finally reversed its stance on Reggie Bush’s eligibility to receive its prestigious award. A statement was made by the president of the Heisman Trust, Michael Comerford.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” Comerford said. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”

It’s better late than never, and far from the apology that should have been made, but it serves its purpose.

“I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy,” Bush victoriously announced. “This reinstatement is not only a personal victory, but also a validation of the tireless efforts of my supporters and advocates who have stood by me throughout this arduous journey.”

Bush also made sure to reiterate his long stance that allegations made by the NCAA were unsubstantiated and erroneous. “I want to make it abundantly clear that I have always acted with integrity and in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA,” clarified Bush. “The allegations brought against me were unfounded and unsupported by evidence, and I am grateful that the truth is finally prevailing.”

Back in July of 2021, the rules of amateurism in college football were being rapidly rewritten due to a scathing opinion written by members of the United States Supreme Court in NCAA v Alston. The NCAA was not happy, but the larger climate in and around college sports had changed.

“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” an NCAA spokesperson said. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”

It was 4,970 days since Bush returned his award back to the Heisman Trust, but justice has finally been served and the award is back where it belongs.

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USC YouTube show discusses Reggie Bush lawsuit, Trojans’ improving QB room

At the @VoiceOfCFB, @Tim_Prangley and @USCJ32 had plenty to say about Reggie’s lawsuit, Julian Lewis, Malachi Nelson, and more.

USC fans care a lot about Reggie Bush getting his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated. It goes beyond the fact that Bush was announced as the 2005 Heisman winner on Heisman night in New York, and that nothing can — or should — change that reality. Voters voted for Bush over Vince Young, and nothing historically can alter that particular truth.

The deeper reason this issue is such a lightning rod — and USC fans care so much about it — is that we can see how laughable the NCAA’s punishments were toward USC. Athletes now get compensated — albeit not yet with a take-home paycheck — and the attitudes toward college athletes cashing in on their skills have changed. Moreover, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M clearly did not follow all the rules when he played college football, but the 2012 Heisman hasn’t been stripped from him. The 2010 Heisman wasn’t stripped from Cam Newton despite all the controversies which surrounded his family.

The point is not that Manziel and Newton should have had their Heismans stripped; it’s just the opposite. Bush never should have had his Heisman stripped.

At The Voice of College Football, Tim Prangley and USC J discussed Reggie Bush’s lawsuit against the NCAA. They also talked about new quarterback recruit Julian Lewis and the progress of all the quarterbacks in the USC quarterback room:

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Reggie Bush: USC Heisman Trophy profile

Reggie Bush’s #Heisman was officially vacated, but we will never forget his 2005 season. No one can take away the memory of hearing his name called. That’s eternal.

Reggie Bush was stripped of his Heisman Trophy, a fact everyone knows, but the whole notion of a stripped or vacated award is the dumbest punishment in sports. Imagine stripping the Houston Astros of their World Series title for cheating. That wouldn’t change the fact that the Astros celebrated in 2017 and the Los Angeles Dodgers walked off the field in Game 7 sad and heartbroken that they didn’t win.

A real punishment for the Astros would have been to suspend Jose Altuve a full season without pay. That would have actually affected (hurt) the Astros’ ability to win a championship.

That point aside, what happened to Reggie Bush and his Heisman would not be an NCAA violation today, in the world of NIL. Bush would have been able to cash in on the opportunity to play college sports. As with the other things USC was punished for at the end of the Pete Carroll era, those violations look like such small potatoes today, in a larger context. It’s just one reason why Bush deserves his 2005 Heisman Trophy back.

Saturday, Caleb Williams should become USC’s first Heisman winner since Bush. The official record books say that USC has only six Heisman winners, but we know Bush celebrated winning the award 17 years ago. If you want to be technical and precise about it, fine: USC doesn’t have seven Heisman winners according to the official record book, but it does have seven men who have heard their name called as Heisman winners on Heisman Night. It has seven men who have posed with the Heisman Trophy after being declared the winner.

Saturday, Caleb Williams will make it eight, more than any other school.

Let’s look back at Reggie Bush’s 2005 season and his football playing career: