In a decision that had long been anticipated, Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy is officially being reinstated.
Bush, who won the prestigious award back in 2005 when he was a star running back for the USC Trojans, had been lobbying for the reinstatement and had plenty of support behind him.
“Enormous changes in the college football landscape” is said to be the deciding factor.
Of course, those changes have everything to do with the implementation of NIL in college athletics.
Simply put, what Bush was alleged to have done back in the day is now pretty common-place in the sport. (That doesn’t change the fact that he did allegedly break the rules at the time.)
Bush, who voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 amid substantial NCAA sanctions against USC, is now poised to receive the honor once again.
The sanctions stemmed from allegations of Bush receiving improper benefits during his tenure with the Trojans from 2003 to 2005.
As part of the decision, the Heisman Trust will return the original Heisman Trophy to Bush and provide a replica to USC.
Additionally, Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, commencing with the 2024 season.
In response to the news, Bush expressed enthusiasm and relief.
“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,” he told ESPN.
“I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization,” he added.
The decision to reinstate the Heisman Trophy to Bush was reached through a meticulous process by the Heisman Trust, which took into account the significant shifts in college athletics in recent years.
These changes notably include the allowance of student-athlete compensation, which has become an accepted practice within the realm of collegiate sports.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” remarked Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust.
“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,” he concluded.
Bush’s lobbying efforts for the reinstatement gained momentum following the enactment of rules allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness in 2021.
Notable support for Bush’s cause came from former Heisman winners such as Johnny Manziel, Matt Leinart, and Tim Brown.
The Trust also cited the 2021 Supreme Court decision in the Alston case, which challenged the NCAA’s amateurism model and paved the way for student-athlete compensation, as a contributing factor in their decision-making process.
“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,” the Heisman Trophy Trust said.
With the return of Bush’s Heisman Trophy, USC now officially boasts eight Heisman winners, surpassing other renowned football programs such as Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame.
The journey to reclaim the Heisman Trophy marks a significant milestone for Bush, whose exceptional career at USC solidified his status as one of the most iconic college athletes of the century.
What are your thoughts on Bush finally getting his Heisman back?
Did the Heisman Trust make the right decision?
Or do you look at it as what he (allegedly) did at the time was against the rules, so therefore he shouldn’t be (re)awarded for breaking the rules???