Reggie Bush to Get Heisman Trophy Back
Fourteen years after having his Heisman Trophy forfeited due to an improper benefits investigation,
the hardware is being returned to former USC running back Reggie Bush.
According to news, the Heisman Trust plans to officially announce the reinstatement of the trophy to Bush on Wednesday.
Michael Comerford, who is the president of the Heisman Trust, released a statement on the decision, saying:
The Heisman family welcomes back Reggie Bush with great excitement in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments.
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.
Bush expressed excitement in a statement he released, being reunited with the trophy he won in 2005 and his fellow Heisman winners.
I’m thrilled to reunite with fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy.
I’m thrilled to be reunited with fellow Heisman winners and to be a part of the Heisman Trophy’s storied legacy.
The Heisman family honours me with their invitation to return. I look forward to collaborating with the Heisman Trust to promote the organization’s values and mission.
Who is Reggie Bush?
Reginald Alfred Bush Jr. (born March 2, 1985) is an American former football running back who was an on-air college football analyst for Fox Sports.
He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honours twice and winning the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in the nation.
Bush is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time.
He was selected by the New Orleans Saints second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.
While with the Saints, Bush was named an All-Pro punt returner in 2008 and won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 over the Indianapolis Colts. He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers before retiring from professional football in 2017.
In addition to winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy, Bush also won the 2005 Doak Walker and Walter Camp awards.
However, allegations that he received improper benefits were central to an NCAA investigation of the USC football program that led to severe NCAA sanctions against USC, including a two-year postseason ban and the vacating of the 2004 national championship.
As a result, Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy.
On April 24, 2024, the Heisman Trust announced that Bush’s Heisman Trophy would be reinstated due to “enormous changes in the college football landscape.”
Reggie Bush to Have Heisman Trophy Returned
Former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush will reportedly have his trophy returned after having to forfeit it in 2010,
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Wednesday (April 24) morning.
“I’m thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy,
and I’m honoured to return to the Heisman family.
I also look forward to working with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization
,” Bush said via Thamel minutes after the report.
The Heisman Trust plans to announce the formal “reinstatement” of the trophy to Bush in
what it called an “enormous change in the college football landscape.”
Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust,
Announced with excitement the return of Reggie Bush to the Heisman family,
In acknowledgement of his impressive collegiate achievements.
“As 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. So happy to welcome him back.”
Bush was stripped of his Heisman Trophy due to NCAA sanctions levied against his alma mater, USC.
This included allegations that Bush received improper benefits during his decorated collegiate career
Before a rule change later allowing players to benefit from name, image and likeness endorsements.
The former USC running back will receive the official Heisman Trophy back.
And his alma mater will receive a replica version.
The Heisman Trophy committee will invite Bush to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning with the 2024 college football season.
