Why Reggie Bush was Stripped of Heisman Trophy and How He Got it Back

Reggie Bush, the former USC star running back, has been reinstated as the recipient of the prestigious Heisman Trophy for the 2005 season, a title that was stripped from him over a decade ago. The decision marks the end of a long and contentious battle that began with allegations of impropriety surrounding Bush’s collegiate career and culminated in a landmark move by the Heisman Trust to acknowledge the shifting landscape of college athletics.

Reggie Bush’s journey to reclaim his Heisman Trophy began in 2010, when he voluntarily forfeited the award amidst a storm of controversy. The NCAA investigation into the USC athletic department revealed that Bush and his family had received improper benefits from sports agents during his time as a student-athlete, violating NCAA rules at the time. As a result, Bush’s stellar collegiate achievements, including his remarkable 2005 season, were called into question, leading to the forfeiture of his Heisman Trophy and a tarnishing of his once-storied reputation.

For years, Bush fought tirelessly to clear his name and restore his honor. He adamantly maintained his innocence, insisting that he had always acted with integrity and in accordance with NCAA regulations. Despite numerous attempts to engage with the Heisman Trust and plead his case for reinstatement, Bush’s efforts were met with silence and resistance. However, as the landscape of college athletics began to undergo profound changes, fueled by the emergence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes, the tide started to turn in Bush’s favor.

The introduction of NIL rights represented a seismic shift in the world of college sports, fundamentally altering the longstanding principles of amateurism that had governed the NCAA for decades. With athletes now able to profit from their own image and likeness, the lines between amateur and professional athletics blurred, prompting a reevaluation of past decisions and a reexamination of Bush’s case.

Against this backdrop of transformative change, the Heisman Trust undertook a “deliberative process” to reassess Bush’s eligibility for the prestigious award. Recognizing the seismic shifts in college athletics and the evolving understanding of athlete compensation, the Trust determined that the time was ripe to reinstate Bush as the rightful recipient of the Heisman Trophy for the 2005 season.

In a statement announcing the decision, Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, expressed the organization’s joy at welcoming Bush back into the Heisman family, citing his “collegiate accomplishments” and acknowledging the “enormous changes in college athletics” that had influenced the Trust’s decision. With Bush’s Heisman Trophy reinstated, USC now boasts eight Heisman winners, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in college football history.

For Bush, the reinstatement of his Heisman Trophy represents not only a personal victory but also a validation of his unwavering determination to clear his name and reclaim his legacy. In a statement to ESPN, Bush expressed his gratitude and excitement at reuniting with his fellow Heisman winners and being part of the storied legacy of the award. He also emphasized his commitment to working with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization, signaling his intent to use his platform for positive change within the world of college athletics.