Former college and NFL star Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated
Bush forfeited the trophy in 2010.
Former standout college football player and NFL running back Reggie Bush will have his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated, according to Bush's attorneys and a statement posted on the Heisman website Wednesday.
Bush posted a photo on Instagram with the trophy captioned, "No one can take from you what God has for you."
Bush voluntarily forfeited the Heisman Trophy in 2010 following separate NCAA sanctions against his former school, the University of Southern California.
The NCAA also vacated Bush's 2005 season records.
"I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy," said Bush in a statement via his attorneys. "This reinstatement is not only a personal victory but also a validation of the tireless efforts of my supporters and advocates who have stood by me throughout this arduous journey."
Bush, who was accused of receiving improper benefits while playing at USC, maintained his innocence in the statement.
"I want to make it abundantly clear that I have always acted with integrity and in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA," Bush stated. "The allegations brought against me were unfounded and unsupported by evidence, and I am grateful that the truth is finally prevailing."
In a statement confirming the decision, Michael Comerford, president of the Heisman Trophy Trust, which presents the award each year, said the choice was made considering "enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years."
"We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments," said Comerford. "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."
Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010. The decision stemmed from a report from the NCAA implicating USC in alleged "amateurism violations" and "impermissible benefits" violations. According to the report, at least two student athletes, including Bush, were found to have received money and other gifts from third parties, which was not allowed at the time, and which it said the university failed to disclose.
USC was subsequently sanctioned, and its 2004 national championship title was vacated, along with several of its victories. Bush's 2005 season records -- the season for which he received his Heisman Trophy -- were also vacated.
Bush unsuccessfully appealed the NCAA decision to vacate the records after the validity of the underlying report was called into question in an unrelated defamation suit.
It was not immediately clear this week whether the NCAA plans to reinstate Bush's collegiate records in light of the separate Heisman Trophy reinstatement. As of publication, his 2005 season record remains vacated.
In 2023, Bush filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, accusing the organization of defamation. At the center of the lawsuit was a statement the NCAA issued in 2021, in which it said it would not restore any vacated collegiate records despite recent developments allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, or NIL, because "NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements."
Bush and his lawyers vehemently denied that Bush had been involved in any "pay-for-play" arrangements in a statement at the time.
"The NCAA's statement is completely false and highly offensive. The NCAA knew Mr. Bush was never even accused of, involved in, much less sanctioned for any 'pay-for-play arrangement' which never occurred," his lawyers said in a statement at the time.
The NCAA filed a motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit in October, claiming that the 2021 statement to which Bush referred "does not mention Bush at all" and that the statement was constitutionally protected opinion.
A hearing on the NCAA's motion to dismiss is scheduled for later this month.
In its decision to reinstate Bush's Heisman honor this week, the Heisman Trust said it considered "the Supreme Court's 2021 decision questioning the legality of the NCAA's amateurism model and opened the door to student athlete compensation," among several other considerations.
The 2021 ruling stated that the cap on a list of education-related benefits violated federal anti-trust law and should be lifted.
The Heisman Trust also said it returned the trophy to Bush and gave a replica of the award back to USC. Bush will also be invited to all future Heisman ceremonies starting this fall.
In recent years Bush and several of his peers have advocated for the return of his award, which he won in 2005 after dominating the college football landscape totaling 1,740 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in a single season.
"Thank you to the @HeismanTrophy for doing what's right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold," former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel wrote in a post on X following the announcement. "There were many voices throughout this process that stood on the table for Reggie simply because of the kind of human being he is. I look forward to being on that stage with you this December @ReggieBush you deserve it."
ABC News has reached out to the NCAA to confirm whether or not Bush's collegiate record will be restored in light of the Heisman Trophy announcement, and for comment on the ongoing defamation lawsuit.
ABC News' Melanie Schmitz contributed to this report.
Related Topics
Top Stories
ABC News Live