Reggie Bush Reclaims 2005 Heisman Trophy Due to Evolving College Athletics Landscape

Reggie Bush will be receiving his 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy back, which he had to give up in 2010. The Heisman Trust made the decision to reinstate Bush after carefully considering the significant changes in college football. This decision was announced in a press release on Heisman.com on Wednesday.

"We are excited to have Reggie Bush back as part of the Heisman family to honor his achievements during his college years," stated Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust.

"After taking into account the significant developments in college sports in recent years, we have decided that it is the appropriate moment to reintroduce the Trophy for Reggie. We are delighted to have him back with us."

Michael Comerford, the president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, released a statement on Wednesday.

Reggie Bush took to Instagram to share a message, "No one can take from you what God has for you," along with a photo of his Heisman Trophy.

Bush was awarded the Heisman in 2005 for being the most outstanding collegiate football player. He achieved this by rushing for 1,740 yards on 200 carries and scoring a total of 18 touchdowns while playing for the University of Southern California.

Bush leaps over UCLA defender Marcus Cassel during his time as a USC Trojan at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, December 3, 2005.

Bush leaps over UCLA defender Marcus Cassel during his time as a USC Trojan at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, December 3, 2005.

Chris Carlson/AP

In 2010, Bush decided to return the prestigious award when an NCAA investigation revealed that he had accepted unauthorized benefits, making him ineligible since 2004.

Now, college athletes have the opportunity to earn money through their name, image, and likeness, which is commonly referred to as NIL.

Bush explained to The Athletic in 2020 that the NCAA was reluctant to make changes regarding NIL until they were pressured to do so. He expressed his frustration with the reactive nature of the country, stating that it often takes a significant event for people to recognize and address injustices. Unfortunately, Bush felt that the issue had to be brought to light through his own experiences.

Jun 11, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; An NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 11, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; An NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters

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"There are moments in life that can completely shift our outlook on things. This was definitely one of those moments for us. It has been a significant journey to reach this point. I believe that many children will be positively impacted by this moving forward," he expressed.

Additionally, Bush will have the opportunity to attend upcoming Heisman Trophy events and USC will be presented with a duplicate trophy.

Johnny Manziel, former NFL quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, expressed his gratitude to the Trust for welcoming Reggie Bush back into the fold and doing what's right.

He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to acknowledge the support and advocacy for Reggie Bush throughout the process. Manziel mentioned looking forward to sharing the stage with Bush in December and emphasized that Bush truly deserves it.

After his time at USC, Bush went on to play in the NFL for 11 seasons. He was part of teams like the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills. Throughout his career, he ran for 5,490 yards and scored 36 touchdowns. He also caught 477 passes for 3,598 yards and 18 TDs in 134 regular season games. One of his biggest accomplishments was helping the Saints win their first Vince Lombardi trophy in Super Bowl XLIV.

Bush won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.

Bush won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Editor's P/S:

The reinstatement of Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy marks a significant shift in the college sports landscape. The NCAA's decision to allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness has paved the way for this historical reversal. Bush's reinstatement serves as a testament to the changing nature of college athletics, where the focus is increasingly shifting towards the welfare and rights of student-athletes.

Bush's return to the Heisman family highlights the willingness of the Heisman Trust to acknowledge and rectify past injustices. By reinstating his award, the Trust has sent a powerful message that it values integrity and fairness above all else. Bush's experience has undoubtedly shaped the current landscape of college sports, and his reinstatement serves as a beacon of hope for student-athletes who may have been unfairly penalized in the past.