Reggie Bush regains 2005 Heisman Trophy 14 years after forfeit

USC legend Reggie Bush is getting his Heisman Trophy back.

The All-American running back won the prestigious award in 2005 but was forced to forfeit the honor in 2010 due to improper recruiting benefits that violated NCAA guidelines.

Rule changes in recent years have legalized much of what Bush was penalized for.

“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 Trust President Micahel Comerford said in a statement to ESPN. “We are so happy to welcome him back.”

Bush said the feeling was mutual.

“Personally, I’m thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy,” the now-retired running back said in a statement. “I’m honored to return to the Heisman family.”

The NCAA adopted new rules in 2021 that allowed athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, signaling a shift in the college sports landscape. Bush and other prominent former players pushed to have his Heisman Trophy reinstated as current student-athletes collected compensation.

“Recognizing that the compensation of student-athletes is an accepted practice and appears here to stay, these fundamental changes in college athletics led the Trust to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who unquestionably was the most outstanding college football player of 2005,” the trust said.

Athletes, coaches and programs took to social media to praise the decision. Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner, thanked the officials for “doing what’s right.” USC football’s X account noted that the award was “back where it belongs.”

“You LOVE to see it,” 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III wrote on X, alongside a video of Bush’s highlights.

Bush recorded 2,890 total yards in 2005 through rushes, receptions and returns. He won the Heisman vote in a landslide, earning 705 more votes than Texas quarterback Vince Young, who finished second.