Reggie Bush, former USC tailback, is thrilled to have his Heisman Trophy returned to him and sees it as a step towards restoring his reputation. Bush emphasized that he never cheated during his time at USC and is determined to clear his name and reclaim his records. He celebrated the return of his Heisman in a news conference at the Coliseum, where he played for the Trojans, with his family and supporters by his side.
While Bush praised the Heisman Trust for reinstating his honor, he made it clear that his fight against the NCAA is not over. He has filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA following their characterization of the circumstances that led to his troubles. Bush expressed that being labeled a cheater was more painful to him than losing the trophy, and he believes there is no proof of any wrongdoing on his part.
Bush initially won the Heisman in 2005 but forfeited it in 2010 due to sanctions against USC related to his interactions with sports marketers. The NCAA also vacated 14 wins for the Trojans and removed many of Bush’s achievements from the record books. Bush hopes that his lawsuit and public pressure will force the NCAA to reconsider their stance and restore his records as well.
Attorney Ben Crump described the Heisman restoration as a call for the NCAA to do the right thing and to rectify their past decisions. Bush, whose disassociation from USC ended in 2020, is hopeful that his retired number will be displayed at the Coliseum and that he will have the opportunity to lead the team out of the tunnel as a top former Trojan. He believes that true success in college football cannot be achieved through cheating.
In the pursuit of clearing his name entirely, Bush emphasized that he will not be satisfied until his reputation is restored and any false accusations are addressed. He is determined to continue his fight against the NCAA and hopes that this victory with the Heisman will lead to further changes in the future. Bush’s dedication to proving his innocence and reclaiming his legacy in college football remains unwavering.
