Last week, the Heisman Trust officially reinstated the 2005 Heisman Trophy to USC legend Reggie Bush due to "fundamental changes in college athletics," ie. Name, Image, Likeness (NIL).
Bush had previously forfeited his trophy in 2010 during a NCAA investigation - that led to sanctions for USC - revealing the former Trojan running back to have received improper benefits during his time on campus, in a pre-NIL universe.
“I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy,” Bush said in a statement released by his lawyers. “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.”
According to the Heisman Trust, their decision to reinstate the Trophy follows a deliberative process in which it closely monitored the enormous changes in the college football landscape, including the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision, which questioned the legality of the NCAA’s amateurism model and opened the door to student athlete compensation; the ability of college football players to be paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL); and the NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on education-related payments.
Recognizing that the compensation of student athletes is an accepted practice and appears here to stay, these fundamental changes in college athletics led the Trust to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who unquestionably was the most outstanding college football player of 2005.
Welcome Back, Reggie!
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) April 25, 2024
Congratulations to @reggiebush on his return to the Heisman family. From outstanding performances on the field to moving with pride and integrity off the field, this is a moment richly deserved.
Your 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, The University of Southern… pic.twitter.com/m3DJyFGPQb
“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,” added Bush. “The allegations brought against me were unfounded and unsupported by evidence, and I am grateful that the truth is finally prevailing.”
Bush and USC both received their Heisman Trophies - now the Trojans lead the nation in all-time winners with eight - and the former NFL star will also be again invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning in December.
Since NIL launched in July of 2021, Bush and other former winners have been outspoken in the Heisman Trust returning his hardware. Bush’s college teammate Matt Leinart to even Tim Brown of USC rival Notre Dame pleaded to make things right, now in the new landscape of college sports.
But the most viral plea came from former Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel - who shared his own improper benefits while in college in a 2023 Netflix documentary “UNTOLD: Johnny Football” - posting on social media in March that he would skip all future ceremonies until Bush got his trophy back.
After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until @ReggieBush gets his trophy back. Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) March 2, 2024
Do the…
"We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments," Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, said in a statement. "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 also now rejoins the short list of football players - Charles Woodson and fellow Trojan great Marcus Allen - who have won the Heisman Trophy, a National Championship and a NFL Super Bowl.
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