It's been a very long time coming, but it surely's lastly taking place: Reggie Bush is reclaiming his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman Belief introduced Wednesday that it’s formally “reinstating” Bush, 14 years after the USC soccer star walked away from the Heisman Trophy because of main sanctions in opposition to his alma mater.
With the introduction of NIL rights in school sports activities, the NCAA panorama is considerably completely different in 2024 than it was in 2010. In gentle of that, Bush is reinstated to his place within the Heisman household.
“We’re happy to welcome Reggie Bush again to the Heisman household in recognition of his collegiate achievements,” stated Michael Comerford, chairman of The Heisman Trophy Belief. “We took into consideration the great modifications in school athletics over the previous few years to resolve that now’s the correct time to reintroduce the Reggie Trophy. We’re so pleased to welcome him.”
The Heisman Belief stated Bush bought his authentic trophy again and a reproduction was given to USC. Bush may also be invited to all Heisman occasions starting within the 2024 season.
“Personally, I’m excited to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be part of the historic legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I’m honored to return to the Heisman household,” Bush stated in a press release. “I additionally sit up for working along with the Heisman Belief to advance the group's values and mission.”
Welcome house!
We’re reintroducing the 2005 Heisman Trophy to the College of Southern California @ReggieBush!
In 2005, Bush gained greater than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns. He acquired 784 first-place votes, the fifth-most in Heisman Trophy historical past, whereas… pic.twitter.com/34oCD7P8CY
— Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) April 24, 2024
How did we get right here?
Bush received the Heisman in 2005, but it surely was primarily stripped again in 2010 after an NCAA investigation (which was spurred by intensive investigative reporting by Yahoo Sports activities) discovered that Bush had acquired impermissible advantages from advertising and marketing businesses whereas a student-athlete. USC needed to forfeit the entire wins Bush participated in whereas ineligible — together with the Trojans' 2004 BCS nationwide championship — and his stats from that season have been voided. These findings additionally led to an NCAA-mandated hiatus between Bush and USC, which led to 2020 when the college formally welcomed Bush again.
A 12 months later, Bush made his total intentions clear: He wished the Heisman Trophy again and wished the NCAA to revive his information. He and his group reached out to the NCAA and the Heisman Belief, however didn’t hear again.
The Heisman Belief was unmoved by Bush's plea and refused to return the 2005 trophy till the NCAA reinstated it. And regardless of the modifications to the NIL guidelines, the NCAA stated it will not make any modifications to its statistics.
Bush was nonetheless elected to the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2023, although his Heisman had been vacated, however his need to say the trophy didn’t diminish. In August 2023, Bush introduced that he was suing the NCAA for defamation in hopes of forcing them to revive his information, which might have additionally led to him getting the trophy again.
Now, even with out that lawsuit being resolved, the Heisman Belief will reinstate Bush on Wednesday and return the trophy to him. It's unclear whether or not it will have any bearing on Bush's standing with the NCAA or the lawsuit.