LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 05: Former NFL player Reggie Bush attends the grand opening of KAOS Dayclub & Nightclub at Palms Casino Resort on April 05, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Palms Casino Resort)
Reggie Bush is speaking out after the Heisman Trust reinstated him as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner.
For context, the honor was vacated in 2010 after the NCAA sectioned the University of Southern California. An investigation found that Bush, a former USC Trojans player, and his family had received money and gifts from auditioning agents. At the time, that was against the NCAA rules, but not anymore.
The Associated Press reports that the Heisma Trust gave Reggie Bush his trophy back. Additionally, HT will send a replica of the prize to USC.
In his first social media reaction to the update, Reggie wrote, “No one can take from you what God has for you.”
He shared a photo of his hand on the trophy.
He also reportedly told ESPN the following:
“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. I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.”
Meanwhile, the Heisman Trust President Michael Comerford also released a statement, welcoming Reggie back.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments. 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.”
Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 20 after amassing more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scoring 18 touchdowns in 2005. His 784 first-place votes were the fifth most in Heisman history. The award is typically reserved for the top player in college football.
Moving forward, the Heisman Trust will ensure that Reggie Bush is invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, per the AP. Their decision to reinstate Reggie Bush was influenced by a few factors, including the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling about the NCAA’s amateurism criteria and athlete compensation in NIL deals and overall. The NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on education-related payments was also a factor.
The University of Southern California also reacted on social media, expressing similar thoughts to Reggie. They wrote, “back where it belongs.” Reggie’s reinstatement brings the university’s Heisman Trophy winners total to eight–the most of any school!
Associated Press staff contributed to this report.
