Legendary USC running back Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy is reinstated IMAGE
The GIST: The aforementioned Caleb Williams isn’t the only USC football alum celebrating this week: On Wednesday, legendary Trojan running back Reggie Bush was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, college football’s MVP award, 14 years after he was stripped of the honor.
The backstory: Bush led USC to a 37-2 record during his three collegiate seasons, and his eye-popping 2005 stats made him a shoo-in for the sport’s highest individual honor. But, in 2010, years after he’d left USC, an NCAA investigation determined he’d received impermissible benefits (money and gifts) from agents, which was forbidden for student-athletes…until 2021, of course.
- The NCAA forced USC to vacate all wins and records from when Bush was on the roster, including their 2004 national championship. In response, the Heisman Trust, which awards the Heisman Trophy, stripped him of the award. Brutal.
The change: When the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era began in 2021 — allowing student-athletes to receive compensation, which Bush was penalized for — he began campaigning to have his name cleared and his Heisman returned. Two days ago, the Trust finally invited him to the Heisman House agreed.
Zooming out: Although Bush definitely broke the rules back in ’04 and ’05, many of his fellow Heisman honorees, like Texas A&M alum Johnny “Money” Manziel, also received improper payments without being punished like Bush. With changing attitudes about amateurism in college sports in this new NIL and player compensation era, Bush’s Heisman reinstatement feels like justice.
- As for the NCAA, the governing body has not commented on the Heisman Trust’s decision or whether it will repeal its penalties against Bush and USC. In the meantime, Bush will continue his defamation lawsuit against the org in hopes of further clearing his name. Right on.
