Reggie Bush will not have his 2005 Heisman Trophy returned to him following the NCAA’s decision to not reverse penalties or reinstate vacated records from the past despite recent name, image and likeness (NIL) policy changes, according to an NCAA spokesperson.
“NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” the spokesperson said in a statement to The Athletic. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”
The NCAA’s ruling comes after a new NIL policy went into effect on July 1, allowing college athletes to receive NIL compensation.
That same day, Bush posted a statement on Twitter saying he wanted his vacated trophy and college records to be reinstated, but that the NCAA and the Heisman Trust had not been willing to help.
“It is my strong belief that I won the Heisman trophy ‘solely’ due to my hard work and dedication on the football field and it is also my firm belief that my records should be reinstated,” Bush said. He added in a follow-up tweet, “I never cheated this game. That was what they wanted you to believe about me.”
Bush, 36, said he reached out to both the NCAA and Heisman Trust multiple times in recent months “and received no help or got no response at all.”
On July 2, The Heisman Trust said it would reinstate Bush’s trophy only if the NCAA restored the former USC star running back’s vacated records.
Bush chose to forfeit the Heisman Trophy in 2010 while he was with the New Orleans Saints after the NCAA placed heavy sanctions on USC — including the forfeit of 14 victories and a two-year postseason ban — for improper benefits received by Bush while with the Trojans.
Bush won the 2005 Heisman with 784 of 892 first-place votes, beating out Texas’ Vince Young and USC teammate Matt Leinart. He led the country with 2,218 yards from scrimmage (9.4 yards per touch) and had 18 total touchdowns that season, going on to be drafted No. 2 by the Saints in 2006.
(Photo: Michael Cohen / WireImage)
