Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy has been reinstated by the Heisman Belief, closing a controversial saga almost 20 years within the making for the previous USC operating again. The choice additionally means the Heisman has as soon as once more been awarded persistently since 1935. 

With all of the modifications in faculty soccer since Bush’s period, his “scandal” appears virtually quaint. Bush allegedly accepted cash and presents from brokers throughout the latter half of his collegiate profession, which became a large circus. After greater than a decade, the Heisman Trophy Belief modified its tune. 

Bush put collectively one of many nice seasons in faculty soccer historical past throughout his 2005 marketing campaign, ending with 2,218 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns. He had a number of the best moments of the season for the reigning champion Trojans, headlined by 554 yards speeding in his remaining two video games forward of the Heisman ceremony. Whereas Bush’s Heisman got here underneath some scrutiny after Vince Younger’s efficiency within the 2006 BCS Nationwide Championship, his yr featured extra first-place votes than every other winner on the time … aside from O.J. Simpson. (Extra on that later.) 

Bush’s Heisman meant USC was the primary program since Military in 1946 to have two energetic Heisman Trophy winners on the identical roster (QB Matt Leinart). The Trojans in the end fell to Younger, the Heisman runner-up, and the Texas Longhorns in what is taken into account to be among the many best faculty soccer video games of all time. 

This is every thing that you must learn about why Bush’s Heisman was taken away, in addition to its lengthy path to reinstatement. 

Why was Bush’s Heisman stripped?

Following Bush’s Heisman run, studies of unlawful money and advantages from brokers started to floor. Amongst them have been allegations that Bush’s mother and father lived rent-free in a home paid for by an agent. 

In 2007, agent Lloyd Lake put a reputation to the allegations, suing Bush and his household for almost $300,000. Lake claimed that the household accepted money and residing preparations between November 2004 and January 2006. He agreed to cooperate with NCAA investigators concerning the matter. Lake settled with Bush in 2010. Notably, Bush didn’t signal with Lake’s company. 

Finally, the matter grew right into a full-blown NCAA probe into USC and Bush’s dealings with brokers. Whereas Bush was the largest headliner, basketball star O.J. Mayo was additionally investigated. In 2010, USC was hit with a “lack of institutional management” quotation concerning Mayo and Bush, leading to huge punishments. Amongst them, USC was pressured to vacate the ultimate two wins of its 2004 nationwide title season and all of its wins in 2005. USC additionally suffered main scholarship reductions and a two-year postseason ban. 

The 2004 Trojans have been in the end stripped of their nationwide championship by the FWAA and BCS; the Related Press nonetheless acknowledges USC. Most related, the Heisman Belief in the end determined to take the award again, marking the primary time within the historical past of the award that the trophy was returned. 

Why did reinstatement take this lengthy? 

Many efforts have been made through the years to get Bush’s Heisman reinstated. A number of former Heisman winners have vocally advocated for it, together with Leinart and Notre Dame’s Tim Brown. The Heisman Belief has additionally acquired widespread criticism. 

In 2012, a choose overseeing a case for ex-USC operating backs coach Todd McNair wrote that the NCAA’s investigation into USC and Bush appeared “malicious.” Bush was pressured to separate from USC as a part of the NCAA’s punishment, however after a rule change, he was welcomed again with fanfare in June 2020, 10 years after punishment was handed down. Nonetheless, his award was not but returned. 

In July 2021, title, picture and likeness (NIL) laws formally entered faculty soccer, utterly reworking the panorama. Beneath new guidelines, faculty gamers at the moment are allowed to signal with advertising brokers, which might have eradicated virtually the entire illegality from Bush’s case. Rapidly, calls started once more for Bush to have his Heisman returned, together with from Bush himself. 

The NCAA has alleged that Bush partook in “pay-for-play” and was subsequently not into account to get his award again. Bush in the end filed a defamation lawsuit in opposition to the NCAA surrounding that allegation. 

The Heisman Belief was beforehand adamant that it might solely award Bush his Heisman as soon as his NCAA data have been reinstated. 

Why was the trophy lastly returned?

Stress has continued to construct since NIL guidelines have been instituted in 2021. USC has publicly embraced Bush and softly pushed for the return of his award. Bush’s defamation lawsuit in opposition to the NCAA additionally added strain. 

Maybe the largest strain level got here in latest months. Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel introduced that he would boycott the Heisman Trophy ceremony till Bush obtained his trophy again. 

“Does not sit proper with my morals and values that he cannot be on that stage with us yearly,” Manziel tweeted “Reggie IS the Heisman trophy. Do the RIGHT factor NCAA the ball is in your courtroom.” 

Simpson’s latest demise introduced one other layer of scrutiny. The Heisman Belief publicly mourned his passing, and his award has remained untouched regardless of his extremely public double-murder trial, of which he was acquitted, in 1995. Simpson later served jail time for stealing sports activities memorabilia, a lot of which was seized after he was discovered civilly answerable for Nicole Brown Simpson’s demise. 

USC athletic director Jen Cohen mentioned in January that she was completely satisfied to deal with Bush as a Heisman winner regardless. Memorial Coliseum shows the jerseys of each USC Heisman winner within the stands — Simpson nonetheless amongst them — and a spot appeared to open up for Bush final August. Nevertheless, Cohen mentioned Bush wished to attend till his Heisman was formally returned 

Finally, the Heisman Trophy Belief opted to take heed to public criticism and return Bush’s award. Bush was amicable in a press release given to the Heisman Trophy Belief, saying that he appeared ahead to pursuing the mission of the group. Nevertheless, his assertion by means of attorneys Levi McCathern and Ben Crump was extra focused. 

“I wish to make it abundantly clear that I’ve all the time acted with integrity and in accordance with the foundations and rules set forth by the NCAA,” Bush mentioned. “The allegations introduced in opposition to me have been unfounded and unsupported by proof, and I’m grateful that the reality is lastly prevailing.” 

Regardless of the rationale, the consequence is similar: Reggie Bush is formally acknowledged as Heisman Trophy winner as soon as once more.