Reggie Bush has regained his place as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner after over a decade. The former Southern California tailback gave up his trophy in 2010 after investigations found that he received impermissible benefits during his time with the Trojans, as per the Heisman Trust’s announcement on Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust.
“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.”
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Bush secured the Heisman Trophy in 2005 accumulating over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scoring 18 touchdowns.
His 784 first-place votes were the fifth most in Heisman history, as reported by the AP. The Heisman Trust has restored the trophy to Bush and the replica to USC. Bush will henceforth attend all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies.
This decision, according to the Trust’s statement, stems from a thorough review process, considering shifts in college football, notably the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 decision that challenged the NCAA’s amateurism model and allowed for athlete compensation; the ability of players to be paid for their name, image and likeness; and the NCAA’s proposal to lift caps on education-related payments.
“Recognizing that the compensation of student-athletes is an accepted practice and appears here to stay, these fundamental changes in college athletics led the Trust to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who unquestionably was the most outstanding college football player of 2005,” the Trust said.
