After nearly two controversial decades, the Heisman Trophy Trust elected to return the 2005 trophy to former USC running back Reggie Bush on Wednesday. In doing so, the organization recognized a rapidly shifting college athletics landscape and the vastly different lens through which Bush’s past conduct is now understood.

After earning 2,611 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns in his 2005 junior season at USC, no one could have denied that Bush was the best player in college football. The Heisman was the title that affirmed his immense stature, but years after the fact, it was stripped away.

Following an NCAA investigation that dragged on for years, the organization concluded that Bush and his family accepted gifts to play for USC. At the time, any amount of money for an amateur athlete was seen as a mortal sin. Bush lost his Heisman Trophy in 2010 and the Trojans faced severe sanctions, as the NCAA barred them from bowl games for two seasons and vacated their 2004 national championship.

Since the scandal’s earliest days, Bush has had intense supporters who felt that the punishment was too severe. In the NIL era, however, his punishment has become trivial.

Though it is unclear exactly how much Bush received in money and gifts as a collegiate athlete, the number undoubtedly pales in comparison to the amount college athletes of his caliber make legally under the NCAA’s new regulations. After several years of intense clamoring, the Heisman Trophy Trust finally took this change in perception into account.

“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,” Heisman Trophy Trust President Michael Comerford said. “We are so happy to welcome him back.”

Bush posted a photo of his trophy on social media with a seemingly celebratory message.

“No one can take from you what God has for you,” Bush said.

For years, people have pointed to Bush’s case as profoundly unfair, one in which a young man was punished for the inner workings of a system well beyond his control. In some ways, his punishment planted the seeds for the recent movement in support of college athletes’ rights. It appears that the return of his Heisman Trophy is an attempt to finally make things right.

Due to the recent Supreme Court decision and guidelines issued by the NCAA on name, image and likeness, college athletes are now able to profit financially. This newfound opportunity is also opening the door to previous punishments issued to college athletes who earned compensation for their playing abilities, such as Reggie Bush.

Bush won the Heisman in 2005 but is not considered on paper to be an actual recipient of the award due to financial compensation he took while at the University of Southern California. The Heisman Trophy Trust, however, stated that they are open to welcoming Bush back into the record books based on these new guidelines.

“Should the NCAA reinstate Bush’s 2005 status, the Heisman Trust looks forward to welcoming him back to the Heisman family,” the Trust released in a statement.

The largest issue precluding Bush from being revalidated as a Heisman winner is that if the NCAA chooses to reinstate Bush’s records, it would require an admittance of wrongdoing on the part of the association.

It is unlikely that Bush will get his Heisman back, or that USC will have its records reinstated. Nevertheless, it is a worthy fight and would be the right thing for the NCAA to do.

Now that college athletes are allowed to benefit from their name, image and likeness, Reggie Bush would like to reclaim his 2005 Heisman Trophy Award.

The former running back led USC to back-to-back National Championships under head coach Pete Carroll. The NCAA banned Bush in 2010 for receiving about $300k in benefits under the table. The running back voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy. Bush argued that the benefits helped him out with his financial situation during his tenure as a student-athlete.

However, now he wants the trophy back. The former USC running back released a statement on Twitter. It’s also been a year since he was welcomed back to USC after being banned for over a decade.

“Over the last few months, on multiple occasions, my team and I have reached out to both the NCAA and The Heisman Trust in regard to the reinstatement of my college records and return of my Heisman,” the statement said. “We left multiple messages for Michael Comerford, the President of the Heisman Trust, but instead received a call from Rob Whalen, the Executive Director, who stated that Mr. Comerford would not be calling us back and that, in any event, they could help us. We reached out to the NCAA on multiple occasions and received no help or got no response at all. It is my strong belief that I won the Heisman trophy “solely” due to my hard work and dedication on the football field, and it is also my firm belief that my records should be reinstated.”

During his career at USC, Reggie Bush was one of the best college football players in history. Ten years ago, Bush was disassociated from his alma mater after the NCAA discovered that Bush and his family received improper benefits, which caused him to have his Heisman Trophy stripped and numerous sanctions placed on the university. On Wednesday, Bush and USC had made up.

USC’s athletic director Mike Bohn announced the reconciliation. “When I was hired to represent the Trojan Family as the Director of Athletics, I committed to listening and learning before leading,” Bohn said in a statement. “Throughout this process, one of the consistent themes that emerged from my discussions was how much Reggie Bush means to our former players, USC alumni, and fans everywhere. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Reggie and so many of his teammates, and I’m pleased his disassociation has ended so that we can welcome him back to our family. I’m confident that Reggie will use his incredible platform and influential voice to support and empower all of our student-athletes.”

As a part of the announcement, USC’s football team posted an almost two and a half minute video on Twitter with the caption “Welcome Home, @ReggieBush.”

Bush said in a statement that he couldn’t be happier with this decision. “I’ve dreamed of this day for 10-plus years, and I’m excited to come home!”

During his three seasons with the Trojans, Bush won two National Championships in 2003 and 2004, the Heisman trophy in 2005 (although it was vacated) rushed for a total of 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had 1,301 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. 

Since the NCAA ruling in 2010 forcing the USC Trojans to completely disassociate their program with Reggie Bush and his family, Bush has not set foot inside the Coliseum. That is all about to change on Friday night as Bush makes his return to the Coliseum to work the Trojans’ game against the #10 Utah Utes.

That NCAA ruling in 2010 alleged the Bush received cash and improper benefits from sports marketers while playing running back for USC. The NCAA retaliated by barring the Trojans from bowl games, docking them ten scholarships a year for three seasons, making them vacate their 2004 National Championship, and urging Bush to return his 2005 Heisman trophy, which he did voluntarily. In 2010, Bush temporarily parted ways with the USC Trojans.

However, after USC spokesman Tim Tessalone, “checked with the NCAA and was told that if Reggie is in a working capacity, it is OK for him to be at the Coliseum for a USC game,” the stage was set for Bush’s return to the Coliseum.

In his Junior season in 2005, Bush rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also catching two touchdown passes. He is joined on the crew by former USC star quarterback Matt Leinart and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. That Fox Sports broadcast crew will conduct an hour-long pregame show as well as halftime and postgame coverage from the field.

When previously asked about the prospect of returning to USC to work, Bush said, “I assume it would be amazing. Not to pat myself on the back, but a lot of the kids still commit there based off what we did when we were there in college. I still talk to a lot of guys there. I still have relationships with a lot of people there.”

He rounded out his speech, offering a sentiment that could serve as motivation for a USC squad looking to take down a top ten team: “I think it speaks volumes to if you work hard enough, you’ll be able to achieve it.”

The Trojans come into the matchup eager to avenge a 30-27 overtime loss to BYU. Meanwhile, the Utes come in after blanking Idaho State 31-0 and beating BYU earlier in the year by 18.

Bush’s return to USC is sure to bring with it an electric environment in the Coliseum, as this matchup has Pac-12 implications as well; it’s going to be a good one in Southern California.

Despite the government shutdown, college football champions Clemson were received at the White House by President Donald Trump on Monday night.

National Champs Clemson Dine At White House Amid Shutdown

However — instead of an extravagant and elegant spread — the President fed the players a smorgasbord of fast food. Trump said that he paid for the meal because of the partial government shutdown but wouldn’t disclose how much it all cost.

“I had a choice,” the president told the players. “Do we have no food for you? Or do we give you some quick little salads that the first lady will make along with the second lady. They’ll make some salads. And I said you guys aren’t into salads.”

Silver trays, normally filled with steaks and baked chickens, were stacked high with boxes. Inside were burgers from Wendy’s and Big Macs from McDonald’s. White House paper cups with the presidential seal held the fries. Pizza, with toppings like olives or tomatoes, were also included. Condiments were arranged in bowls and white china plates sat nearby.

“We went off and we ordered American fast food, paid for by me. Lots of hamburgers, lots of pizza,” Trump said after returning to the White House from a trip to New Orleans. “I think they’d like it better than anything we could give.” ESPN reported that some players “whooped” when they saw the food.

Trump, a noted fast food lover, said: We have some very large people that like eating, so I think we’re going to have a little fun.

This visit is Clemson’s second since Trump took office. Their visit in June 2017 included a White House barbecue lunch that star wide receiver Hunter Renfrow called “the best meal I’ve had in a year.”

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The visit seems highly unusual, as the longest government shutdown in history continues: it entered its 25th day on Tuesday. Why didn’t Trump just wait until June this year for the visit? Isn’t a government shutdown more important than a college sports team visiting that could happen at any time?

Former NFL running back and USC star Reggie Bush found the meal to be disrespectful. He tweeted, “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, @ClemsonFB you guys deserve better you are world champs and this is the honor you receive from our nations leader!? This is disrespectful on so many levels, just a huge slap in the face after that kind of performance! SMH!”

Reggie Bush may not have played in the NFL for more than a year, but he is set to receive a large sum for damages.

Rams Will Pay Reggie Bush $12.5M

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Los Angeles Rams were ordered by a jury on Tuesday to pay the 33-year-old former running back $12.5 million for a knee injury he sustained in St. Louis in 2015, back when the team still played in Missouri. The payments included $4.95 million in compensatory damages and $7.5 million in punitive damages.

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While playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Bush hurt himself on Nov. 1, 2015 during a game against the Rams in St. Louis after he ran out of bounds on a punt return. He was sidelined for the rest of that season after tearing his meniscus.

“I’m very happy with the verdict,” Bush told the Post-Dispatch. “The people spoke and decided very fairly.”

According to ESPN, lawyers for the Rams stated they wish to file a motion for a new trial.

Bush had initially sued the St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission. However, a local judge dismissed the latter two, thus the Rams franchise was the only defendant.

The Rams have been playing in Los Angeles since 2016.

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Bush officially retired from the NFL in December 2017 after 11 years in the league. He last played with the Buffalo Bills in October 2016. Bush currently serves as an analyst for the NFL Network.

In 2006, the year the New Orleans Saints drafted Bush as the second overall pick, the former USC running back’s family was accused of receiving gifts in violation of NCAA rules. Bush denied any wrongdoing, and an investigation was started.

The next chapter of Reggie Bush’s career is slated to take place in Buffalo.

Veteran RB Reggie Bush Visiting Bills, Reportedly Expected To Sign

The veteran running back will visit the Bills in Rochester, New York on Monday and is expected to sign with the team pending him passing his physical, a source familiar with the situation told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. 

The Bills, who are just a few days into training camp, are seeking to add depth to the running back position after Karlos Williams reported to minicamp overweight and was later suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. LeSean McCoy is also expected to get limited reps in training camp after battling ankle issues during minicamp. McCoy was involved in a nightclub brawl in February but won’t face charges or league punishment.

CBS Sports first reported the development. The network’s NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported in July that Bush was the favorite to sign with the Bills in the wake of Williams’ suspension.

Buffalo coach Rex Ryan couldn’t resist the temptation to sign the former Heisman Trophy winner. Bush, 31, made it through five games in his one-season stint last year with the San Francisco 49ers, rushing eight times for 28 yards.

Bush, the No. 2 overall pick out of USC in the 2006 NFL Draft, has played in just 16 games in the last two seasons combined. He ended last season on injured reserve after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee when he slipped on the concrete surrounding the playing field in St. Louis’s Edward Jones Dome against the Rams. Two years ago, he compiled 1,500 yards as a player for the Detroit Lions. Bush could also prove to be an asset in the return game, an area that the Bills could improve upon this season.

His arrival does not necessarily mean bad news for backups like Mike Gillislee and budding No. 2 running back Jonathan Williams. However, it does entail that Buffalo is looking for immediate professionalism in training camp.

Bush has a lifetime yards per carry average above four and 2,109 total yards from scrimmage over the past three years.

Bush’s best season statistically came in 2011 with Miami, when he rushed for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 21: Reggie Bush #21 of the Detroit Lions runs 21 yard for a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on September 21, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

In two semi-surprising moves this week, big names A.J. Hawk and Reggie Bush were cut from their respective teams. These two players were mainly cut due to cap reasons: and both battled through injuries and had limited play in 2014.

First lets start with journeyman Reggie Bush: somewhat of a disappointment for the New Orleans Saints, he began to find his rhythm in Miami and in Detroit. Three of the last four seasons he garnered over 900 yards and in two of the campaigns he broke a 1,000: in five seasons with New Orleans, he never surpassed 600.

So it appeared the struggling college phenom was finally gaining some traction in the NFL: from 2010-13 he was gaining 4.5 YPC and got 16 TD. Unfortunately, 2014 left him sidelined with an ankle injury following week five, which lingered for the rest of the season. He only achieved 297 yards on 76 attempts in eleven games: getting only 2 TD and averaging 3.9 YPC. And during this time, Joique Bell stepped up as the starter: 860 yards, seven touchdowns on a measly three-year, $9.3 million contract.

So it became apparent they needed the cap room to re-sign players and to address weaknesses in free agency. And to do so, Reggie Bush’s $16 million contract, which results in more than an $11 million cap charge over the next two seasons, needed to go.

His future with the team was always in question: as Lions GM Martin Mayhew stated last week, “It’s not about Reggie Bush. It’s about the process of evaluating where you are as a football team. We have a bunch of meetings after the season. The coaching staff meets. The scouting department meets together and we evaluate everybody’s performance.”

As for A.J. Hawk, this is the second time the Packers’ all-time leader in tackles (1,118) was released: he was originally cut back in 2011 due to budgetary reasons — they later re-signed to him a more cap-friendly deal. Hawk was the fifth overall pick in 2006 and played his entire nine-year career for Green Bay.

A.J. saw his on-the-field time severely decrease during the 2014 season: while he did have a lingering injury — bone spurs were removed from his ankle after the season — he claims injuries did not contribute to his reduced play. Therefore the Packers needed to make this move in order to free up about $3.5 million in cap room: if they kept him they would have took a $5.1 million hit.

However, it appears both parties left on good terms: Packers GM Ted Thompson statement stated, “A.J. is a consummate Packer and we are grateful for all that he has given and how he represented the organization over the past nine seasons… The Packers are grateful for all that he has done on the field and in the community. We wish A.J., his wife Laura, and the rest of their family all the best.”

And even Hawk said, “The Packers were awesome about it. I have no bitterness and no animosity toward anyone.”

As of right now, neither player has any plans to retire.