The University of Southern California has officially ended its long-standing disassociation with former running back Reggie Bush, a decade after he was banned by the National College Athletic Association.
In a statement released in June 2020, USC welcomed Bush back with the words, “Welcome home, Reggie Bush.”
Reggie Bush is a former college football star who played for USC, where he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2005. He led the Trojans to back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004 before deciding to enter the NFL Draft in 2006.
Throughout his 11-year career in the NFL, Bush played for the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills before retiring in 2017. He was inducted into USC’s Hall of Fame last June and also joined FOX Sports as a college football analyst in 2019.
Bush’s ban from USC came as a result of receiving forbidden kickbacks from marketing agents while he was a student-athlete, which was against NCAA regulations at the time. This led to the forfeiture of his Heisman Trophy in September 2010.
However, following recent changes in NCAA regulations allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, Bush has been reinstated by the Heisman Trophy Trust.
After losing his Heisman Trophy in 2010, Bush has now been officially reinstated by the Heisman Trophy Trust in April 2024. In a statement, the Trust expressed their excitement in welcoming Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate achievements.
The news of his reinstatement has brought joy to Bush, who expressed his excitement about rejoining the Trojan family after more than a decade of being apart.
Through a letter sent by USC President Carol Folt, Bush received the news and shared his enthusiasm for returning home.
