Reggie Bush has successfully reclaimed his 2005 Heisman Trophy, but his conflict with the NCAA is far from over.
The trophy was originally stripped from Bush in 2010 due to findings that he had received improper benefits while playing at USC. Despite the restoration of his trophy on Wednesday by the Heisman Trophy Trust, the dispute surrounding his college career remains unresolved.
The contention escalated last year when Bush filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA following a statement made by an NCAA spokesperson in July 2021. As Bush sought to have his collegiate records reinstated, the spokesperson claimed that Bush was engaged in a “play-for-pay” arrangement during his time in college, a statement Bush’s legal team vehemently denies and describes as “completely false and highly offensive.”
The NCAA’s statement came at a time when rules around college athletes benefiting from their names, images, and likenesses were changing, yet it emphasized that NCAA rules prohibit pay-for-play arrangements. This has been a major point of contention as Bush and his legal team argue that the statement has tarnished his reputation.
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Despite the return of his Heisman Trophy, Bush’s outstanding records from the 2005 season have yet to be officially acknowledged by the NCAA. During that season, Bush was a standout performer, rushing for 1,740 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per carry, and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns. He also made significant contributions as a receiver.
Bush’s legal team expressed their ongoing frustration with the NCAA at a news conference on Thursday. Levi McCathern, one of Bush’s attorneys, criticized the NCAA for their delays in rectifying the situation: “Shame on you, NCAA. Why does it take so long to do the right thing? Why does it take so long to have common sense?” Another of Bush’s attorneys, Ben Crump, praised the Heisman Trust for their decision and questioned when the NCAA would “get on the right side of history.”
The ongoing legal battle and public discourse suggest that although Bush has regained his trophy, he remains determined to challenge the NCAA and restore his full collegiate legacy.
This indicates that Bush’s fight against the NCAA will continue as he pushes for a reevaluation of his entire record from the period.
