Reggie Bush has once again been named the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, reclaiming a title he voluntarily relinquished fourteen years ago. The decision was made by the Heisman Trust and anchored upon major transformations in the structure of college athletics.
In the past, Bush yielded his Heisman in the wake of an NCAA investigation that uncovered that he had accepted benefits deemed impermissible during his stint with the Trojans. However, with current rules allowing college football players to profit from their craft in multiple ways, the Heisman Trust saw it fit to resolve the disagreement with one of the most thrilling players in the sport’s history.
Michael Comerford, the Heisman Trophy Trust’s president, expressed excitement at welcoming Bush back into the “Heisman family,” crediting his accomplishments in college. Recognizing the extensive modifications in college athletics in recent years, the Trust deemed the timing appropriate for reinstating Bush’s Trophy.
The symbolic award has been returned to Bush, and a duplicate is being sent back to USC as well. Bush will also join the guest list for future Heisman Trophy ceremonies – a much-deserved recognition, given that he secured the accolade for being the top player in college football in 2005.
Bush’s accomplishments in the sport during his three seasons at USC were daunting: he accumulated 2,218 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns. An impressive 784 first-place votes, the fifth most in Heisman history, propelled him to this recognition.
In his public response, Bush voiced his gratitude for once more being acknowledged as the Heisman Trophy recipient, attributing the triumph to the relentless support he received throughout this challenging journey.
The reinstatement adds the eighth Heisman winner to USC’s roster – more than any other educational institution. USC usually showcases its replicas of the Trojans’ Heisman Trophies at Heritage Hall while retiring the uniform numbers of its Heisman winners on massive banners displayed at the Coliseum during USC home games.
USC coach Lincoln Riley lauded the event as an exceptional moment for everyone associated with USC football. He commended the recognition of Bush’s athletic achievements and the joy it brought for the school.
The news was celebrated on the USC football program’s social media, with a post saying – “Back where it belongs.” USC athletic director, Jen Cohen, applauded Bush’s impact on both USC and collegiate football and thanked the Heisman Trust for correcting the course of history.
Movingly, public sentiment has long supported the return of Bush’s trophy. Notably, Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner, publicly pledged not to engage in Heisman festivities unless Bush was reinstated.
The Trust’s decision serves as a pivotal marker in acknowledging the changing landscape of collegiate athletics, including the Supreme Court’s recent decision that scrutinized the legality of NCAA’s amateurism model and initiated compensation for athletes.
Today, the Heisman Trust welcomes back a member of its family. Bush, once the most outstanding college football player in 2005, was finally receiving his due.
