Former USC standout and Heisman winner Reggie Bush is not too happy about having the trophy vacated due to NCAA violations on the part of the Trojans’ former regime under then head coach Pete Carroll.
While this drama has taken a back seat in the several years since Bush showed himself to be one of the greatest players in college football history, it’s come up a lot recently.
Obviously, that has to do with the NCAA’s decision earlier this week to allow student-athletes to have financial control over their name, image and likeness (NIL).
Bush himself released a statement recently, clearly attacking the NCAA over his Heisman being stripped and demanding that it be returned. The Heisman Trophy Trust has now responded in kind, and is pretty much now placing the ball in the corner of the NCAA.
Heisman Trophy Trust releases statement on Reggie Bush drama
“The Heisman Trust believes the recent decision by the NCAA to allow student athletes the ability to control their name, image and likeness is a positive step in the right direction. The Heisman Trust supports any legislation that will protect and benefit all student athletes,” the Trust said in a statement. “The on-field accomplishments of Reggie Bush during the 2005 season at USC were remarkable and remain in the memories of all college football fans that had the privilege of witnessing him in action.
The statement continued:
“Subsequent to Bush being awarded the 2005 Heisman Trophy, the NCAA concluded an investigation that he and his family had received impermissible benefits while a student athlete at The University of Southern California and vacated his playing records as well as those of the entire USC football team,” Bush’s 2005 season records remain vacated by the NCAA and, as a result, under the rule set forth by the Heisman Trust and stated on the Heisman Ballot, he is not eligible to be awarded the 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy. Should the NCAA reinstate Bush’s 2005 status, the Heisman Trust looks forward to welcoming him back to the Heisman family.”
The short-form explanation here is that Bush would be welcomed back into the Heisman community should the NCAA reinstate his 2005 status.
For the sake of clarity, Reggie Bush did forfeit his Heisman back in September of 2010 with the Trojans opting to return the replica to the Heisman Trophy Trust.
Even then, there’s now a growing push for Bush to, once again, be officially recognized as one of the greatest college football players ever.
Back in 2005, the 11-year NFL veteran recorded north of 2,200 total yards and 18 touchdowns en route to leading USC to a 12-1 record and a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.