(NewsNation) — Former NFL running back Reggie Bush is getting his 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy back 14 years after forfeiting it in the wake of an NCAA investigation that found he received what were impermissible benefits during his time with the University of Southern California Trojans.
The Heisman Trophy Trust announced it would reinstate Bush as a Heisman Trophy winner Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”
2005 Heisman Trophy Winner
Bush won the trophy, awarded to the top player in college football, in 2005 after amassing more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scoring 18 touchdowns in 2005. His 784 first-place votes were the fifth most in Heisman history.
The Heisman Trust has returned the trophy to Bush and the replica to USC. Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies.
The Trust said in a statement that its decision followed a “deliberative process” in which it closely monitored changes in the college football landscape. That included the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 decision that questioned the legality of the NCAA’s amateurism model and opened the door to athlete compensation, the ability of college football players to be paid for their name, image, and likeness and the NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on education-related payments.
“Recognizing that the compensation of student-athletes is an accepted practice and appears here to stay, these fundamental changes in college athletics led the Trust to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who unquestionably was the most outstanding college football player of 2005,” the Trust said.
Reggie Bush responds to reinstatement
In a statement to ESPN, Bush said he was “thrilled to reunite” with the other Heisman winners and have his legacy honored.
“I’m honored to return to the Heisman family. I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization,” Bush said.
Bush celebrated his reunion with his Heisman trophy by posting a picture on social media.
“No one can take from you what God has for you,” Bush said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.