Reggie Bush is officially reclaiming his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman Trust announced Wednesday that they are formally reinstating his award amid significant changes in the landscape of college athletics.
In 2010, Bush voluntarily surrendered his trophy amidst heavy NCAA sanctions levied against the University of Southern California (USC), where he had his impressive college career from 2003 to 2005. These sanctions were due to Bush allegedly receiving improper benefits.
With the recent decision, the Heisman Trust will return the original trophy to Bush and a replica to USC. Additionally, Bush will be welcomed at all future Heisman ceremonies starting in the 2024 season. “Personally, 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 honored to return to the Heisman family,” Bush said in a statement. He also expressed his anticipation for working alongside the Heisman Trust to “advance the values and mission of the organization.”
This shift comes in the wake of regulatory changes that now allow athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, policies enacted in 2021. These changes have significantly altered the view of athlete compensation in college sports, influencing the Trust’s decision to return Bush’s trophy.
Support for Bush has been vocal and significant among other Heisman winners. Johnny Manziel earlier this year expressed his support by stating he would skip the Heisman Trophy ceremony until Bush’s trophy was returned. This sentiment was echoed by USC’s Matt Leinart and Notre Dame’s Tim Brown, who have publicly advocated for Bush’s reinstatement.
The Heisman Trust also noted the influence of the 2021 Supreme Court decision against the NCAA in the Alston case, which questioned the legality of the NCAA’s amateurism rules. Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, highlighted this in his statement, “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.”
This reinstatement brings USC’s total number of Heisman Trophies to eight, the most of any school in the country.
Bush’s tenure at USC was marked by spectacular performance, culminating in his selection as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. His impact on the field at USC was profound, averaging 8.5 yards per touch and totaling 2,890 all-purpose yards in his 2005 season alone, securing him a prominent place in college football history.
Nearly two decades after his exceptional season, Bush is once again recognized with his Heisman Trophy, celebrating his outstanding contributions to college football.
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