Former University of Southern California (USC) star running back Reggie Bush is handing back the Heisman Trophy, marking the first time in the award’s 75-year history that a player has forfeited it.
The unprecedented move to return the award given to the top college gridiron player in the US comes after it was ruled that the 25-year-old Bush breached NCAA requirements governing monetary benefits.
The embattled Bush, who now plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL), called the decision “heartbreaking.” He said he was giving back the award, but has denied any wrongdoing and referred to only “allegations” against him.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I have made the difficult decision to forfeit my title as Heisman winner of 2005,” Bush said in a statement released by the NFL club. “Allegations dating back to my years at USC has been both painful and distracting. In no way should the storm of these allegations reflect in any way the dignity of this award.”
Bush won the award in 2005 when he played for USC. The school was slapped with strong sanctions in June after a probe disclosed that some of the financial benefits Bush received broke NCAA eligibility rules.
The investigation determined Bush and his family had received money and gifts from a pair of California agents.
“I will forever appreciate the honor bestowed upon me as a winner of the Heisman. While this decision is heart-breaking, I find solace in knowing that the award was made possible by the support and love of so many. Those are gifts that can never be taken away,” Bush said.
USC said it would remove all jerseys and displays of Bush and give back its replica of Bush’s Heisman Trophy.
The penalties to the USC football program included a two-year bowl ban along with a forfeiture of victories.
The forfeited wins started in December 2004 and includes all wins during the 2005 season. It also includes USC’s national championship game win over Oklahoma in the 2005 Orange Bowl.
Bush won the Heisman in a landslide victory over Texas quarterback Vince Young. The award could be left vacant or given to Young.
“My opinion would be; I would love for the Heisman Trust to look at a re-vote or give it to the second guy, which therefore would be Vince,” Texas college coach Mack Brown said.
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