Reggie Bush has Heisman Trophy returned
Reggie Bush had his 2005 Heisman Trophy formally returned Wednesday, the Heisman Trophy Trust announced.
Welcome Home!
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) April 24, 2024
We are reinstating the 2005 Heisman Trophy to the University of Southern California’s @ReggieBush!
In 2005, Bush gained more than 2000 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns. He received 784 first-place votes, the fifth-most in Heisman Trophy history, while… pic.twitter.com/34oCD7P8CY
Bush forfeited his trophy in 2010 amid the NCAA's sanctions against USC for violations that included the running back receiving improper benefits. The Trojans had their 2004 national championship and all 14 of their wins with Bush on the field vacated.
"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," Bush said in a statement to Pete Thamel of ESPN. "I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization."
The decision to return Bush's award comes amid a fundamentally altered college sports landscape in which student-athlete compensation is "an accepted practice and appears here to stay," said the Heisman Trophy Trust.
"We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments," said president of The Heisman Trophy Trust Michael Comerford. "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 pushed for the return of his Heisman in 2021 after the name, image, and likeness policy was enacted, allowing college athletes to profit off their autographs, sign endorsement deals, and partake in sponsorships. However, the NCAA said at the time that it still wouldn't give back his award.
With Bush's Heisman reinstated, USC will officially have the most winners in the award's history with eight. Presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams was the school's latest winner in 2022.
Welcome home, @ReggieBush. pic.twitter.com/iUYRiyB7Px
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) June 10, 2020
Bush produced one of the most dominant seasons in college football history in 2005, the final year of his three-year USC career before he was selected second overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 NFL Draft.
The running back rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per carry. He also caught 37 passes for 478 yards and two scores.