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SPORTS Thursday 25 april 2024
Reggie Bush is reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with

organizers citing NIL rule changes

By GREG BEACHAM that now is the right time to
AP Sports Writer return the Trophy to Bush,
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reggie who unquestionably was the
Bush has his Heisman back. most outstanding college
The Heisman Trust reinstated football player of 2005," the
the former Southern Cali- Trust said.
fornia tailback as the 2005 Public opinion has long fa-
Heisman Trophy winner on vored the return of Bush's
Wednesday, citing funda- trophy. Johnny Manziel, the
mental changes in the struc- 2012 Heisman winner from
ture of college athletics dur- Texas A&M, said on social
ing the 14 years since Bush media last month that he
forfeited the trophy and the would not participate in
honor. Heisman festivities unless
Bush gave up his Heisman fol- Bush got his trophy back.
lowing an NCAA investiga- Manziel thanked the Trust
tion that found he received on Wednesday "for doing
what were impermissible what's right and welcom-
benefits during his time with ing a storied member of our
the Trojans. College football history back into the fold.
players are now allowed to There were many voices
profit from their work in many throughout this process that
ways, and the Heisman Trust stood on the table for Reg-
decided it was time to move gie simply because of the
past the conflict with one of kind of human being he is.
the most exciting players in I look forward to being on
the sport's history. that stage with you this De-
"We are thrilled to welcome cember (Reggie Bush) you
Reggie Bush back to the deserve it."
Heisman family in recogni- Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush of the University of Southern California smiles while posing for Among others praising the
tion of his collegiate accom- photos after a news conference in New York, Dec. 10, 2005. Associated Press decision were Williams, the
plishments," said Michael 2022 winner and the project-
Comerford, president of The ous journey." "This is a momentous day for including the 55-19 victory ed No. 1 pick in Thursday's
Heisman Trophy Trust. "We The reinstatement of Bush Reggie Bush and the entire over Oklahoma in the Bowl NFL draft; 2001 winner Eric
considered the enormous gives USC a total of eight USC community as we cele- Championship Series title Crouch of Nebraska; and
changes in college athlet- Heisman winners, most of brate the rightful return of his game at the Orange Bowl 2011 winner Robert Griffin III
ics over the last several years any school. Heisman Trophy," USC athlet- following the 2004 season. of Baylor.
in deciding that now is the USC typically displays its ic director Jen Cohen said. USC was even required to Bush was the No. 2 overall
right time to reinstate the replicas of the Trojans' Heis- "Reggie's impact at USC "disassociate" from Bush pick in the 2006 NFL draft by
Trophy for Reggie. We are man Trophies in the lobby and on college football as for 10 years following the New Orleans, and he played
so happy to welcome him of Heritage Hall, its historic a whole is truly unmatched. NCAA's decision. The school for five teams over 11 sea-
back." The Heisman Trust football headquarters, while He has displayed the ut- immediately ended its disas- sons. He is now a commen-
has returned the trophy to the retired uniform numbers most resiliency and heart sociation when that period tator and studio analyst for
Bush and the replica to USC. of its Heisman winners are throughout this process and ended in June 2020, wel- Fox Sports.
Bush also will be invited to all displayed on huge banners is so deserving of every ac- coming Bush back to the Last August, Bush filed a
future Heisman Trophy cer- draping the Peristyle at the colade and trophy he's ever school. The Trust said in its defamation lawsuit against
emonies. Coliseum during USC home received. We are grateful to statement that its decision the NCAA for issuing a state-
Bush won the trophy award- games. Bush's No. 5 jersey the Heisman Trophy Trust for followed a "deliberative ment to media in 2021 that
ed to the top player in col- is expected to be back making this happen." process" in which it closely said Bush had a "pay-for-
lege football after amassing among the honored num- Bush had his award vacat- monitored changes in the play" arrangement. That
2,218 yards from scrimmage bers this fall. ed in 2010 after USC was hit college athletics landscape. statement was in response
and scoring 18 touchdowns "What a historic day!" said with massive NCAA sanc- That included the U.S. Su- to media inquiries about
in 2005. His 784 first-place USC coach Lincoln Riley, tions when it was found that preme Court's 2021 decision whether Bush would have his
votes were the fifth most who coached Caleb Wil- Bush and his family received that questioned the legality statistics from his USC career
in Heisman history, and liams to the school's most money and gifts from fledg- of the NCAA's amateurism reinstated when NIL pay-
the trophy was a crowning recent Heisman in 2022. ling marketing agents who model and opened the ments became permissible.
achievement for Bush after "Reggie's reintroduction were hoping to represent door to athlete compensa- Bush contended the state-
three seasons at USC as one to the Heisman Family is a him. The sanctions were the tion; the ability of players to ment cast him in a false light.
of the most dynamic college special moment for every final result of a prolonged, be paid for their name, im- "I want to make it abundant-
football players in decades. person that has been as- antagonistic dispute be- age and likeness; and the ly clear that I have always
"I am grateful to once again sociated with USC football. tween the NCAA and USC NCAA's recent proposal to acted with integrity and in
be recognized as the recipi- We are thrilled that Reggie's under former athletic direc- remove the cap on educa- accordance with the rules
ent of the Heisman Trophy," athletic accomplishments as tor Mike Garrett. tion-related payments. and regulations set forth
Bush said in a statement. one of the greatest to ever USC received a two-year "Recognizing that the com- by the NCAA," Bush said
"This reinstatement is not only play the game can officially postseason ban and lost pensation of student ath- Wednesday. "The allega-
a personal victory, but also be recognized." a whopping 30 scholar- letes is an accepted prac- tions brought against me
a validation of the tireless The USC football program ships under the sanctions. tice and appears here to were unfounded and unsup-
efforts of my supporters and wrote "back where it be- The NCAA also vacated 14 stay, these fundamental ported by evidence, and I
advocates who have stood longs " in a social media wins by the Trojans during changes in college athlet- am grateful that the truth is
by me throughout this ardu- post. the heart of Bush's career, ics led the Trust to decide finally prevailing."q