The College Football Hall of Fame welcomed its Class of 2023 earlier this week. There was no bigger name on the list than USC’s Reggie Bush, the man who won the 2005 Heisman Trophy with one of the most spectacular college football seasons of all time.
USC fans obviously want the 2005 Heisman to be returned to Reggie. He did earn it, after all. He did hear his name called on Heisman night in New York. He might as well have the trophy associated with that moment. It seems pointless to deprive him of it. Yet, while that Heisman drama lingers without final resolution, we can all agree that Bush is an immortal in the life and history of USC football. What he did as a Trojan, and what he did in 2005, will never be forgotten by USC fans.
The excellence of Reggie Bush spoke for itself. He helped Pete Carroll’s dynastic juggernaut win 34 straight games. He led USC to a national title and to consecutive appearances in the BCS National Championship Game.
The excellence itself was impressive, but what set Reggie Bush apart is how amazingly entertaining he was. Few players in the history of college football have been as electric on a football field as Reggie Bush. Zachariah Branch has given younger USC fans a taste — a small one — of what Reggie Bush was like on a weekly basis for multiple years at USC.
Bush’s swerving touchdown run against Fresno State in 2005 not only sealed his Heisman win; it reminded older USC fans of O.J. Simpson’s legendary cutback run on the same Coliseum field against UCLA in 1967.
With the passage of time, Reggie Bush’s feats have become larger, not smaller. His memories grow in power instead of fading away. This Hall of Fame induction serves as an affirmation of that reality.
In early March, Manziel tweeted out that he would not attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony until Bush received his trophy back, saying "Doesn't sit right with my morals and values that he can't be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy."
He set the USC freshman record with 1,331 all-purpose yards in 2003. He finished his career with 433 rushes for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns and 95 receptions for 1,301 yards and 13 touchdowns. He returned 67 kickoffs for 1,523 yards and one touchdown, and he fielded 44 punts for 559 yards and three touchdowns.
Bush's on field performances made him a contender for the top pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he also made an impressive appearance at USC's highly publicized post-season pro day showcase, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds.
But years later, following an investigation into recruiting practices at USC during that period of time, it was found that Bush had accepted “improper benefits” from the school. Sanctions were levied against USC and, as a result, Bush was forced to forfeit his Heisman Trophy in 2010.
Reggie Bush has his 2005 Heisman Trophy back, as the Heisman Trust announced Wednesday the formal "reinstatement" of the trophy to Bush amid what it calls "enormous changes in the college football landscape."
USC did not, and Reggie never got a dime. A second popular misconception is Reggie was somehow paid by a sponsor, alumni, someone in the school. No one ever paid him.” McCathern said Bush was paid a $1,000 monthly stipend during the time he played for USC.
Reggie Bush's retirement from football was influenced by a combination of factors, including injuries, challenges in transitioning from college to the NFL, changes in his playing style, and the natural progression of age.
He won the Heisman trophy and the Orange Bowl title in his final season with the Trojans under Pete Carroll. And with all that, Palmer established himself as one of the best, if not the best, QB in USC history.
In the University of Southern California athletics scandal, the University of Southern California (USC) was investigated and punished for NCAA rules violations in the Trojan football, men's basketball and women's tennis programs.
The school was forced to vacate 14 wins in which Bush played. Bush was also disassociated from USC for a 10-year period, which ended in 2020. Bush continues to push for the return of his 2005 Heisman.
Although not the superstar he was in college, Bush did just fine in the NFL, earning $63 million during an 11-year career. After being drafted No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Bush went on to make the NFL's all-rookie team that season and won a Super Bowl with the Saints following the 2009 season.
Former USC running back Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, lost it in 2010 and finally got it back this week. It's been a long, strange trip for the player who went on to win a Super Bowl in the NFL and serve as a college football analyst on Fox.
Career Virtually Ended After Slip and Fall Accident
Louis, Missouri. He tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee and didn't play again for the remainder of the season. While Bush signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills the following year, he secured a lower salary and didn't play.
“You can back a brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie's trophy is back where it rightfully belongs,” Manziel said in an additional post. “Reggie's play on the field inspired me to be the football player that I am.
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