Reggie Bush scored a big W when it was announced Wednesday he’d be getting his Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Bush, who won the coveted trophy in 2005, relinquished it five years later.
The decision, announced on Heisman.com, was a result of acknowledging the “enormous changes” in the college football landscape, per CNN.
“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.
Bush responded with a post on Instagram, stating, “No one can take from you what God has for you.”
The Heisman is awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate football player.
Bush was honored for his efforts on the field, which included rushing for 1,740 yards on 200 carries and scoring 18 total touchdowns for the University of Southern California.
He voluntarily gave up the award in 2010 “after an NCAA investigation found he received benefits of several thousand dollars and a vehicle that were not allowed at the time and he was ruled ineligible as of 2004,” the outlet reported.
Bush said he wasn’t paid to play football at USC.
College athletes can now be compensated for their name, image and likeness, known as NIL.
“[The NCAA] had to be forced into this,” Bush told The Athletic in 2020 following the introduction of NIL. “Unfortunately, in this country, we’re very reactive. We’re not proactive. Something had to happen first for people to want to change it or for people to see that there is an actual injustice there. Unfortunately, I feel like it had to come with me.
“There are certain steps and certain events that open people’s eyes and change people’s perspectives on things. I think that was one of them. It was important for us to get here to where we are now. Hopefully, thousands and thousands of kids will benefit from this point going forward,” he added.
Bush will receive a replica trophy.
“I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy,” Bush said in a statement released by his representatives. “This reinstatement is not only a personal victory but also a validation of the tireless efforts of my supporters and advocates who have stood by me throughout this arduous journey.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that I have always acted with integrity and in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA. The allegations brought against me were unfounded and unsupported by evidence, and I am grateful that the truth is finally prevailing.”
Now that Bush has been reinstated, USC again has the most Heisman Trophy winners in college football with eight.
Former NFL quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel lauded the Trust “for doing what’s right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold.”
“There were many voices throughout this process that stood on the table for Reggie simply because of the kind of human being he is. I look forward to being on that stage with you this December @ReggieBush you deserve it” Manziel wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bush played 11 seasons in the NFL spanning five teams — New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.
In that time, he rushed for 5,490 yards and 36 touchdowns and catching 477 passes for 3,598 yards and 18 TDs in 134 regular season games, CNN reported.
He was a member of the Saints when they won their first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLIV.
