USC football legend Reggie Bush finally given back his Heisman Trophy | Locked On College Football

14 years after forfeiting his Heisman in the wake of significant NCAA sanctions for USC, running back Reggie Bush had his trophy ‘reinstated’ on Wednesday.

On Wednesday the Heisman Trust announced the formal reinstatement of the 2005 Heisman Trophy to USC running back Reggie Bush. The move comes 14 years after he forfeited the trophy amidst NCAA sanctions at USC. Those included Bush receiving impermissible benefits during his Trojans career, which spanned from 2003-2005.

Bush is officially receiving the original trophy, while a replica will be sent to USC. Bush will also now be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies beginning in 2024.

Locked On College Football host Spencer McLaughlin spoke about Bush’s reinstated trophy on a bonus edition of the podcast on Wednesday, discussing how this decision was a long, long time coming.

“Reggie Bush should have his Heisman,” McLaughlin stated. “He absolutely deserves it, because he was the best player in college football.”

For more, subscribe to the daily Locked On College Football podcast, free and available wherever you get your podcasts.

Find the Locked On podcast for YOUR college team!

The Heisman Trust cited “fundamental changes in college athletics” for their decision to give Bush his Heisman back, specifically mentioning rules which allow student-athlete compensation – the new norm in college athletics in the NIL era.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, said in a statement. “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.”

A lot of people publicly supported Bush getting his Heisman back, including former winner Johnny Manziel and Bush’s former USC teammate Matt Leinart. Manziel indicated earlier this year he would skip all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies until Bush’s trophy was returned.

Bush’s 2005 season was otherworldly, as the star running back transcended the game with 1,740 rushing yards and 2,890 all-purpose yards – and he received a whopping 784 first place votes for the Heisman, the fifth highest total of all time.

Find the Locked On podcast for YOUR college team!