The Heisman Trophy is the most important award any individual can receive in all of NCAA Div. I athletics. It is awarded to the most outstanding college football player of the season.
In 2005, the award was given to University of Southern California running back Reggie Bush. And, for the first time in the history of the Heisman, Bush is giving it back to the Heisman Trust.
Despite losing to the University of Texas Longhorns in the BCS Championship, 2005 was an extremely successful year for both Bush and the USC Trojans. The Trojans won 12 games during Bush’s Heisman winning season and in 2006 Bush was selected No. 2 overall in the National Football League Draft. During the 2005 season alone Bush rushed for 1,740 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Bush, he will no longer be included on the list of Heisman Trophy holders after he forfeited the award on Sept. 14.
This decision makes Bush the first recipient of the Heisman to ever return the award to the Heisman Trophy Trust.
Recently, there has been much speculation that the Trust was going to strip Bush of the award due to the fact he was recently declared ineligible to play for the USC Trojans in 2005. According to ESPN.com, the NCAA cited USC for lack of institutional control and a† nuber of improper benefits given to Bush and USC basketball star O.J. Mayo. Before signing with USC Mayo was one of the most highly regarded basketball prospects in the country.
The sanctions have forced the entire USC athletics program to revamp. In July 2010, Pat Haden replaced Mike Garret as USC’s athletic director.
One of Haden’s first decisions as the new athletic director was to return the Heisman Trophy USC received after the award was given to Bush in 2005.
At the end of the 2009 football season, coach Pete Carroll left the USC Trojans to coach the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. During his time with the USC Trojans, Carroll lead USC† to two National Championship game apperances. Despite an NCAA investigation that spanned more than four years, Reggie Bush’s career has flourished in the NFL.
In only four seasons, Bush has scored 28 touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints, and last season Bush scored eight touchdowns and rushed for 390 yards as the Saints completed their season with a Super Bowl Championship.
Despite his professional success one fact is for certain, the Heisman Trophy will forever taint Bush’s legacy.
He will go down in history as the first player to ever return the award despite his record-breaking numbers at USC.
His collegiate career is yet another example of how behavior off the athletic field can ruin years of dedication and hard work.