After years of working to get his Heisman Trophy back, Reggie Bush’s award is his.
The Heisman Trust officially reinstated Bush’s 2005 trophy Wednesday, it said, 14 years after the former USC running back lost it following an NCAA investigation into unauthorized benefits. The trust cited “fundamental changes” in college sports, including the ability of athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness, as well as the NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on payments related to education.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” Michael Comerford, chairman of the Heisman Trophy Trust, said in a statement. “We took into account the tremendous changes that have occurred in college sports over the past several years to decide that the time was right to reinstate the trophy for Reggie. We are very happy to welcome him again.
The Heisman Trust said it returned the trophy to Bush and the replica to USC. Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, starting with the 2024 ceremony.
Bush told ESPN he was “excited to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners.”
“I am honored to return to the Heisman family,” Bush told ESPN in a statement. “I also look forward to working with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.”
Bush won the Heisman Trophy after a remarkable 2005 season, but lost it in 2010 after an NCAA investigation concluded that Bush and his family received additional benefits while he was a student at USC. The Trojans were hit with massive sanctions, including a two-year ban from bowling and a reduction of 30 scholarships following the investigation.
After the NIL laws were enacted in 2021, Bush sought to regain his Heisman and restore his records. The Heisman Trust said it would reinstate Bush’s 2005 trophy only if the NCAA reinstated Bush’s vacated records. However, the NCAA decided not to vacate the sanctions or reinstate the expunged records.
Bush ran for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns during his Heisman season, averaging 8.7 yards per carry and established himself as one of the most exciting players in college football.
In his three seasons with the Trojans, Bush had 3,169 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, 1,301 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He was also a two-time All-American and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.
This story will be updated.
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