On Wednesday, April 24, the Heisman Trophy Trust officially reinstated former University of Southern California superstar running back and NFL player Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy from 2005, an award given to the most outstanding college football player of that year. Bush forfeited the trophy 14 years ago due to an NCAA investigation leading to sanctions that included him receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars while playing for the Trojans. The Heisman Trust broke rank with the NCAA to officially reinstate this. Though many fans have lost hope due to how long it has been since the award was stripped from him, Bush reportedly said he never lost faith. After receiving the trophy back, Bush additionally sent a replica back to USC. Since 2021, when the NCAA permitted athletes to be compensated for their brand, professional football players have voiced their support for Bush’s cause. Despite not having his Heisman Trophy in 2023, Bush was still enacted into the College Football Hall of Fame last year. Furthermore, in August 2023, Bush announced that he would be suing the NCAA for defamation to have his records reinstated and in turn, his Heisman Trophy back. However, though the lawsuit has not yet been resolved, the Heisman Trust returned his trophy. The year that he won, Bush had 2,890 all-purpose yards, but more significantly 784 first-place votes, marking the fifth most votes in Heisman Trophy history.
