LOS ANGELES — Reggie Bush has his Heisman back.
The Heisman Trust reinstated Reggie Bush as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner on Wednesday, pointing to significant changes in college athletics since Bush gave up the trophy and the honor 14 years ago.
After an NCAA investigation found that Reggie Bush received impermissible benefits during his time with the Trojans, he gave up his Heisman. Now, college football players are allowed to profit from their work in multiple ways, and the Heisman Trust decided it was time to move past the conflict with one of the sport’s most exciting players.
Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, said, “We are pleased to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in acknowledgement of his college achievements. We took into account the significant changes in college athletics over the past several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”
The Heisman Trust has returned the trophy to Bush and the replica to USC, and Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies.
Bush received the trophy for being the top player in college football after amassing 2,218 yards from scrimmage and scoring 18 touchdowns in 2005. His 784 first-place votes were the fifth most in Heisman history, and the trophy was a significant achievement for Bush after three seasons at USC as one of the most dynamic college football players in decades.
Reggie Bush said in a statement, “I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy. 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.”
The reinstatement of Bush gives USC a total of eight Heisman winners, the most of any school.
USC typically displays its replicas of the Trojans’ Heisman Trophies in the lobby of Heritage Hall, its historic football headquarters, while the retired uniform numbers of its Heisman winners are displayed on huge banners draping the Peristyle at the Coliseum during USC home games. Bush’s No. 5 jersey is expected to be back among the honored numbers this fall.
USC coach Lincoln Riley, who coached Caleb Williams to the school’s most recent Heisman in 2022, said, “What a historic day! Reggie’s reintroduction to the Heisman Family is a special moment for every person that has been associated with USC football. We are thrilled that Reggie’s athletic accomplishments as one of the greatest to ever play the game can officially be recognized.”
The USC football program wrote “back where it belongs ” in a social media post.
USC athletic director Jen Cohen said, “This is a momentous day for Reggie Bush and the entire USC community as we celebrate the rightful return of his Heisman Trophy. Reggie’s impact at USC and on college football as a whole is truly unmatched. He has displayed the utmost resiliency and heart throughout this process and is so deserving of every accolade and trophy he’s ever received. We are grateful to the Heisman Trophy Trust for making this happen.”
In 2010, Bush lost his award because USC got in trouble with the NCAA for giving him and his family money and gifts from marketing agents. This happened after a long dispute between the NCAA and USC under former athletic director Mike Garrett.
Under the sanctions, USC got banned from postseason play for two years and lost 30 scholarships. The NCAA also erased 14 wins by the Trojans, including a big victory over Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series title game in 2004.
USC had to avoid any association with Bush for 10 years after the NCAA's decision. In June 2020, the school ended this and welcomed Bush back.
The Trust's decision to return the Trophy to Bush came after closely watching changes in college athletics, including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on athlete compensation and the NCAA's proposal to allow athlete payments for their name, image, and likeness. The Trust said these changes made it the right time to give the Trophy back to Bush.
The Trust explained that the acceptance of compensating student athletes and recent changes in college athletics led them to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who was unquestionably the most outstanding college football player of 2005.
Many people have wanted Bush to get his trophy back. Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner, said he wouldn't take part in Heisman events unless Bush got his trophy back.
Manziel thanked the Trust for welcoming back a historic member of their history and said many people supported Reggie because of the person he is. He looks forward to sharing the stage with Reggie in December and believes Reggie deserves it.
The decision was praised by the 2022 winner, Williams, the projected No. 1 pick in the NFL draft; 2001 winner Eric Crouch of Nebraska; and 2011 winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor.
Bush was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft by New Orleans and played for five teams over 11 seasons. He is now a commentator and studio analyst for Fox Sports.
Last August, Bush sued the NCAA for defamation after they made a statement in response to media questions about whether Bush would have his USC career statistics reinstated when NIL payments became allowed. Bush said the statement made him look bad and was not true.
Bush stated that he has always acted with integrity and followed NCAA rules. He said the allegations against him were unfounded and unsupported, and he's happy that the truth is finally coming out.
