Tag: Reggie Bush

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans former running back Reggie Bush attends the game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reggie Bush sues USC, Pac-12, NCAA over use of NIL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Reggie Bush is suing the University of Southern California, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA for compensation for the use of his name, image and likeness while he was a college athlete.

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said in a statement Monday. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”

The filing claims that USC, the conference and the NCAA financially benefited from Bush’s “significant popularity” and “prominence” during and after his time with the Trojans’ football program, with whom he won the 2004 BCS national championship and the 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Bush notably forfeited his Heisman in 2010 amid reports that the Heisman Trust would revoke it after USC was hit with major NCAA sanctions because Bush and his family received improper financial benefits during his time there.

With athletes now allowed to capitalize on their NIL rights, Bush asked for the award to be reinstated. The Heisman Trust obliged this past April, acknowledging the “enormous changes” to the world of college football.

Bush has not been associated with USC for most of the time between the sanctions and the present day. He was on the sideline for the Trojans’ season-opening win over LSU in Las Vegas.

“We appreciate that the new administration at USC is trying to pick up the pieces of the former administrations’ unjust and improper handling of Reggie Bush,” said Levi G. McCathern II, another one of Bush’s attorneys. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams poses for photos during a press conference in the Astor Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

USC retires Caleb Williams’ No. 13, restores Reggie Bush’s No. 5

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A pair of Heisman Trophy winners were further cemented into Southern California’s legacy Thursday, as the Trojans retired quarterback Caleb Williams’ No. 13 jersey and running back Reggie Bush’s No. 5.

The program revealed Williams’ jersey retirement on a social media video that featured music artists Snoop Dogg and John Legend along with USC coach Lincoln Riley, Trojans women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins and a host of Williams’ teammates.

Williams became USC’s eighth and most recent Heisman winner when he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022, his first year with the Trojans. The eight Heisman Trophy winners are the only Trojans to have had their numbers retired. Williams was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bears this April after piling up 8,170 passing yards and 72 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions in his two seasons at USC.

Bush had his number retired for the second time. USC removed his number in 2010 following NCAA sanctions against the program involving Bush, who received improper benefits during his tenure with the Trojans.

Bush had his 2005 Heisman Trophy stripped and said he did not want to be associated with USC football if his award was not returned to him. The Heisman Trust did just that, reinstating the trophy to Bush in April, and Bush is expected to lead the Trojans onto the field before a game this season, per ESPN.

Bush averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 13.7 yards per catch during his electrifying three years at USC from 2003-05. He racked up 4,470 yards and 38 touchdowns from scrimmage along with four kick/punt return TDs.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Former Southern California Trojans tailback Reggie Bush on the Fox Sports television set at the Pac-12 Championship game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Trophy Trust to return 2005 Heisman to Reggie Bush

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Due to an evolving landscape in college football, the Heisman Trust is set to return the 2005 Heisman Trophy to Reggie Bush, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Bush won the 2005 Heisman Trophy in his final season at Southern California, where he amassed 3,169 rushing yards, gained 1,301 receiving yards and returned kickoffs and punts for a combined 2,081 yards. He totaled 42 touchdowns and also threw a 52-yard touchdown pass.

According to ESPN, the physical trophy is being returned to Bush by the trust and a replica will be returned to USC.

“Personally, I’m thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I’m honored to return to the Heisman family,” Bush said in a statement to ESPN. “I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.”

In 2005, Bush was named first-team All-American and the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

But he was stripped of his Heisman and his stats in 2010 after a four-year investigation by the NCAA showed that Bush and his family took improper financial benefits, including cash and paid-for housing.

When name, image and likeness legislation was enacted in 2021, Bush asked the NCAA to reinstate his status. The Heisman Trust said at the time it would consider giving back his trophy if the NCAA agreed to reinstate him, but the organization declined.

In part due to a 2021 Supreme Court decision that questions the legality of the amateurism model, the Heisman Trust said it was forced to reconsider “reinstating” the 2005 award and welcoming Bush back to the annual award ceremony. Fellow Heisman winners, most recently former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown, said they would skip future ceremonies unless Bush got his trophy back.

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

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Former Texas A&M Aggies player Johnny Manziel watches from the sideline during the first half of the game between the Aggies and the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel done with Heisman ceremony over Reggie Bush

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Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will no longer participate in the annual trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush is welcomed back into the Heisman fraternity, Manziel announced Saturday.

“After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until @ReggieBush gets his trophy back,” Manziel, the 2012 winner, posted to his X, formerly Twitter, account. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.

“Do the RIGHT thing @NCAA the ball is in your court.”

Bush won the 2005 Heisman Trophy to wrap up his stellar career at Southern California, where he ran for 3,169 yards, gained 1,301 receiving yards and returned kickoffs and punts for a combined 2,082 yards. He totaled 42 touchdowns and also threw a 52-yard touchdown pass.

In 2005, he was a first-team All-American and named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

But he was stripped of his Heisman Trophy and his NCAA stats after a four-year investigation by the NCAA showed that Bush and his family took improper financial benefits, including cash and paid-for housing.

When name, image and likeness legislation was enacted in 2021, Bush asked the NCAA to reinstate his status. The Heisman Trust said it would consider giving back his trophy if the NCAA agreed to reinstate him, which the organization declined to do.

Manziel recently told Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast that he intends to fight for Bush.

“I’m gonna continue to do everything that I can in my power, whatever that may be. … But for what I can in my part, I will always stand on this table right here for Reggie Bush and do anything that I can in my power to make sure that it’s possible for him to even get his trophy back,” said Manziel, who won his Heisman while playing for Texas A&M.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; FOX Sports personality Reggie Bush before the Big Ten Championship between the Michigan Wolverines and the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Reggie Bush to sue NCAA for defamation

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Former Southern California and NFL running back Reggie Bush is filing a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bush plans to file the lawsuit Wednesday at the Coliseum after an NCAA spokesperson said in 2021 that he was part of a “pay-for-play arrangement” with the Trojans.

“The lawsuit is based on the NCAA maliciously attacking his character through a completely false and highly offensive statement that was widely reported in the media and substantially and irreparably damaged his reputation,” Bush’s attorneys Levi G. McCathern and Ty M. Sheaks said in a statement, per the newspaper.

“Specifically, on July 28, 2021, the NCAA … falsely issued a statement to reporters that because of Mr. Bush’s prior involvement in a ‘pay-for-play arrangement’ the NCAA would not consider restoring his collegiate records that it vacated in 2010, which subsequently resulted in Mr. Bush having to return his Heisman Trophy (the first player in history to do so). Within less than a day, this false statement was republished by no less than 20 different media organizations and circulated to readers around the world.”

Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 but vacated it five years later after an NCAA investigation determined that he and his family received gifts from a sports agent. Bush’ 10-year disassociation penalty from the NCAA ended in 2020.

Name, image and likeness (NIL) rules allowed college athletes to begin being compensated in 2021. When asked about whether Bush would have his records reinstated and his Heisman returned with respect to NIL rules, an NCAA spokesperson said that would not be the case.

“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” the spokesperson said in that statement. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”

Bush led USC to two national titles in 2003 and 2004 and a third straight championship game appearance in 2005. He ran for 3,169 yards (7.3 per carry) and scored 42 total touchdowns in his collegiate career.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Reggie Bush at NFL Network press conference at Georgia World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA: Not restoring Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy

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Reggie Bush remains a Heisman hopeful, but the NCAA ruled his 2005 trophy will remain vacated due to benefits violations in place during his eligibility at Southern Cal.

As Name, Image and Likeness bylaws were approved earlier this month, Bush made a plea to the Heisman Trust to restore the 2005 Heisman Trophy and career records with the Trojans.

“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” the NCAA said in a statement to ESPN. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”

Following a 2010 investigation, the NCAA ruled Bush accepted cash and other improper benefits from USC, which also furnished his parents with an apartment and spending allowance. USC also lost scholarships and vacated the 2004 BCS national title.

The Heisman Trust operates independently of the NCAA and pushed the decision to the college sports governing body.

“Bush’s 2005 season records remain vacated by the NCAA and, as a result, under the rule set forth by the Heisman Trust and stated on the Heisman Ballot, he is not eligible to be awarded the 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy,” the statement said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Reggie Bush at NFL Network press conference at Georgia World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Heisman Trust: Reggie Bush decision is NCAA’s call

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The Heisman Trust deferred to the NCAA Friday regarding Reggie Bush’s request to reinstate his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

“The Heisman Trophy ballot used by voters has a rule governing eligibility for the award, which was in effect in 2005, which states: ‘In order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award must be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA student athlete,’” the Heisman Trust’s statement read.

“Bush’s 2005 season records remain vacated by the NCAA and, as a result, under the rule set forth by the Heisman Trust and stated on the Heisman Ballot, he is not eligible to be awarded the 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy. Should the NCAA reinstate Bush’s 2005 status, the Heisman Trust looks forward to welcoming him back to the Heisman family.”

When the NCAA’s interim policy allowing college athletes to capitalize on name, image and likeness rights went into effect Thursday, Bush put out a formal statement seeking his records from his days at USC, including his Heisman, be reinstated.

Bush and his family received money and other illicit benefits from sports marketers while he starred at running back for USC.

When the improprieties were uncovered in 2010, the school was sanctioned and Bush forfeited his trophy.

But Bush has argued that not only are the rules he broke now null and void, they did not impact his ability to win the Heisman as the most outstanding college football player in the country.

“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,” Bush said in a statement issued by EAG Sports Management.

Bush also said that he tried to get in contact with the Heisman Trust himself, but was told that the trust’s president, Michael Comerford, did not plan to return his calls.

In its statement, the Heisman Trust added that it supported any legislation that allowed college athletes to control their NIL rights.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Reggie Bush at NFL Network press conference at Georgia World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush wants his Heisman Trophy back

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Reggie Bush is seeking the reinstatement of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005 that later was stripped from him for receiving impermissible benefits.

With new rules taking effect Thursday that allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, Bush wants his Heisman back and to have other achievements from his time at Southern Cal reinstated as well.

“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,” Bush said in a statement issued by EAG Sports Management.

After an NCAA investigation into alleged improprieties, Bush had to forfeit his Heisman. In 2010, the NCAA ruled that Bush and his family could no longer associate with the Trojans after receiving money and other improper benefits from sports marketers during Bush’s playing days at USC from 2003-05.

USC was put on probation for four years by the NCAA, and the Trojans were banned from playing bowl games following the 2010 and 2011 seasons. They also lost 10 scholarships for three seasons and had to vacate the 2004 BCS national championship.

When handing down the punishments, the NCAA forced USC to permanently disassociate itself from Bush. But in 2017, the NCAA Committee on Infractions adopted a bylaw that limited such disassociations to 10 years, and USC has welcomed him back into the family.

Bush said he has tried, with no results, to have his past reinstated with pending adoption of name, image and likeness rules.

“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 the 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 not help us.”

Bush totaled 3,169 rushing yards along with 95 catches for 1,301 yards and a combined 42 total touchdowns in three seasons at USC. He was awarded the Heisman after his junior season, when he ran for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Now 36, Bush went on to play 11 NFL seasons with five teams, winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints following the 2009 season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Urban Meyer during game coverage for Fox Sports at the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Fox pregame crew subbed over COVID-19 concerns

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Fox Sports announced Wednesday evening that the network’s normal pregame show analysts — Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Brady Quinn — will be held out of this Saturday’s broadcast, with the New York Post reporting that the reason is related to COVID-19 concerns.

Per the Post report, the show’s analysts and host Rob Stone will be shelved for this weekend’s show leading into the Arizona State-Southern California game in Los Angeles because of quarantine protocols.

While the network did not disclose the specific purpose of the move, it did post a statement on Twitter that cited safety guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and “out of an abundance of caution for our team.”

Instead of the usual group, the network will feature host Charissa Thompson along with analysts Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Emmanuel Acho. Bradshaw and Long are longtime members of the network’s Fox NFL Sunday pregame show, on which Thompson is an occasional reporter. Acho participates on the daily “Speak For Yourself” show on Fox Sports 1.

In addition to the cast change, Fox announced that this week’s pregame program will be shortened from the normal two-hour format to one hour, starting at 11 a.m. ET before the noon ET kickoff at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

–Field Level Media