Heisman Trust Reinstates Reggie Bush's Trophy Amid 

College Football Evolution 


Reggie Bush reclaims his 2005 Heisman Trophy, as announced by the Heisman Trust on Wednesday, marking a formal "reinstatement" amid what it terms "significant shifts in the college football landscape."

This decision follows Bush's voluntary forfeiture of the Heisman Trophy in 2010, prompted by severe NCAA penalties imposed on USC. These sanctions were a result of findings that Bush received improper benefits during his time at USC from 2003 to 2005.

In its recent ruling, the Heisman Trust returns the Heisman Trophy to Bush and a replica to USC. Additionally, Bush will be invited to all upcoming Heisman Trophy ceremonies, commencing in the 2024 season.

Expressing his sentiments, Bush stated, "I'm excited to reconnect with my fellow Heisman recipients and contribute to the illustrious tradition of the Heisman Trophy. It's a privilege to rejoin the Heisman family, and I anticipate collaborating with the Heisman Trust to further its values and objectives."

The culmination of Bush's efforts to regain his Heisman Trophy was met with enthusiasm during a scheduled summit of the Trust in Jacksonville, Florida. Tim Henning, associate director of the Heisman Trust, described the atmosphere as celebratory, with approximately 15 former Heisman winners in attendance, expressing their excitement at Bush's return.

The decision to reinstate the Heisman Trophy stemmed from a meticulous evaluation by the Heisman Trust of the evolving landscape of college athletics. Notably, the Trust acknowledged significant changes, including the normalization of student-athlete compensation, prompting the recognition that now was an opportune time to restore Bush's accolade.

Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, remarked, "We are delighted to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in acknowledgment of his collegiate achievements. Taking into account the substantial transformations in college athletics, we believe the time is right to reinstate the trophy for Reggie. We are thrilled to have him back."

Bush's advocacy for the return of his trophy gained momentum following the implementation of rules allowing athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness in 2021. His persistence was supported by numerous Heisman winners, including Johnny Manziel, Matt Leinart, and Tim Brown, who publicly advocated for the reinstatement of Bush's trophy.

Reacting to the news, Manziel expressed gratitude to the Heisman Trust for rectifying the situation and welcoming Bush back into the fold of esteemed recipients.

The decision-making process of the Heisman Trust also took into account the 2021 Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA in the Alston case, which questioned the legality of the NCAA's amateurism model and signaled a shift towards acknowledging student-athlete compensation.

With the return of Bush's Heisman Trophy, USC now boasts eight Heisman Trophies, the most of any university in the nation. This achievement solidifies USC's standing in college football history.

Reggie Bush's exceptional performance at USC left an indelible mark, making him one of the most iconic college athletes of the century. His remarkable statistics and achievements on the field underscore his undeniable talent and contribution to the sport.