Editing Reggie Bush (section)

==College career==
[[File:ReggieBush2005.jpg|thumb|left|Bush with the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]] in 2005]]
Bush received an athletic scholarship to attend the [[University of Southern California]], where he played for the [[USC Trojans football|Trojans]] from 2003 to 2005 under head coach [[Pete Carroll]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104424/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> When Carroll recruited Bush he envisioned using him as a five-way threat.{{clarify|date=February 2015}} The freshman quickly proved effective in carrying, catching, throwing, and returning the ball. Bush was a consensus first-team Freshman All-American selection in 2003, and became the first Trojan since [[Anthony Davis (USC running back)|Anthony Davis]] in 1974 to lead the [[Pacific-10 Conference]] in kickoff returns. His 1,331 all-purpose yards set a USC freshman record. The ESPN Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year also amassed 521 yards rushing that year, with three touchdowns on 91 carries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043532/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2003/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[University of Utah]] quarterback [[Alex Smith]] and Bush were both finalists for the 2004 [[Heisman Trophy]], making it the first time a high school had two finalists at the same ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2004.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184623/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2004.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, Bush finished fifth in the Heisman voting and was named the team's MVP. He earned consensus [[2004 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] honors and was a finalist for the [[Walter Camp]] Player of the Year Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consensus All-America Teams (2000–2009) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2004 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104357/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished second on the team with 143 carries for 908 yards (6.3 avg) and six touchdowns, adding 509 yards and seven scores on 43 receptions (11.8 avg). Bush returned 21 kickoffs for 537 yards (25.6 avg) and 24 punts for 376 yards (15.7 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. He became the first Trojan since [[Marcus Allen]] to lead the Pac-10 in all-purpose yardage, totaling 2,330 yards. He also threw for one touchdown, tossing a 52-yard scoring strike.<ref name="FoxSportsprofile">{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush Draft Profile |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/draft/prospect?contentId=5535266 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516204753/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/draft/prospect?contentId=5535266 |archive-date=May 16, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=Fox Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043537/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, Bush was a unanimous first-team [[2005 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] and winner of the Heisman Trophy.<ref name="2005 Heisman Trophy Voting">{{Cite web |title=2005 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2005.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409073802/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2005.html |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref> He was also named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, the [[The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C.|Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.]] Offensive Player of the Year, and the [[Touchdown Club of Columbus]] (Ohio) Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/ap-poy.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043553/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/ap-poy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to the Walter Camp Award, Bush also won the [[Doak Walker Award]], which is given to the nation's best running back.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510062528/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310051958/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He led the nation with an average of 222.3 all-purpose yards per game and finished fourth in the NCAA Division I-A ranks with an average of 133.85 rushing yards per game. He set the Pac-10 record for all-purpose yards in a game, with 513 (294 rushing, 68 receiving, 151 return) against the [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State Bulldogs]] on November 19, 2005. Bush also became known for the "[[2005 USC vs. Notre Dame football game|Bush Push]]," which occurred on a game-winning score against the [[University of Notre Dame football|Notre Dame Fighting Irish]].<ref name = FoxSportsprofile />

Bush led the Trojans with 1,740 yards on 200 carries (8.7 avg) with 16 touchdowns and ranked third on the squad with 39 receptions for 481 yards (12.9 avg), including a pair of scores as a junior. He returned 18 punts for 179 yards (9.9 avg) and a touchdown, and gained 493 yards on 28 kickoff returns (17.6 avg).<ref name = FoxSportsprofile /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043605/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 USC Trojans Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2005.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310163919/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2005.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bush started only 14 times in 39 games at USC. However, he finished tenth in NCAA Division I-A history with 6,541 all-purpose yards, racking up 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns on 433 carries (7.3 avg) and 1,301 yards with 13 scores on 95 catches (13.7 avg). Bush returned 67 kickoffs for 1,522 yards and a touchdown, adding 559 yards and three scores on 44 punt returns (12.7 avg). He also completed one of three pass attempts for a 52-yard touchdown.<ref name = FoxSportsprofile />

===Legacy===
By the end of the 2005 season, Bush had amassed 2,611 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns (15 rushing, two receiving, one punt return).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829164413/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was awarded the Heisman Trophy on December 10, 2005. He had 784 first-place votes while [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] [[Texas Longhorns|Longhorns]] quarterback [[Vince Young]] finished second with 79 first-place votes, an overall edge in voting points of 2,541 to Young's 1,608.<ref name="2005 Heisman Trophy Voting" /> Teammate [[Matt Leinart]] came in third with 18 first-place votes. Bush had the second most first-place votes and the second-highest total points in the history of Heisman voting at that time, behind only [[O. J. Simpson]]'s 855 in 1968.<ref name="margin">{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2005 |title=USC's Bush wins Heisman by monumental margin |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2255184 |access-date=August 28, 2006 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=June 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626040048/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2255184 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bush became the 71st winner of the Heisman Trophy, and the seventh USC player to receive the award. In addition to his Heisman Trophy, Bush also won the Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award, and was selected as the Pac-10's offensive player of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106160709/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510062528/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 4, 2006, Bush and Leinart became the first pair of Heisman Trophy winners to play together for the same team in a single game,<ref name="margin" /> against the Longhorns in the [[2006 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]]. Bush amassed a total of 279 all-purpose yards (82 rushing yards, 95 receiving yards, 102 kickoff return yards) and one touchdown, but he was overshadowed in a losing effort by Heisman runner-up Vince Young and Bush's teammate [[LenDale White]], who led USC in rushing with 123 yards and three touchdowns. Bush also attempted to [[Lateral pass|lateral]] when he was tackled after a long run in the second quarter, but the lateral fell to the ground and was recovered by the Longhorns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl – Texas at USC Box Score, January 4, 2006 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-04-southern-california.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175800/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-04-southern-california.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  This game gave Bush a total of 6,890 all-purpose yards for his college career.

===NCAA scandal===
{{Main|University of Southern California athletics scandal}}

====NCAA investigation and sanctions (2006–2010)====
In 2006, reports surfaced raising questions about whether Bush's family received gifts in violation of [[NCAA]] policies.<ref name="Reggie Bush">{{Cite web |last1=Schrotenboer |first1=Brent |last2=Trotter |first2=Jim |date=April 23, 2006 |title=Reggie Bush's parents face questions about home |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20060423-0857-fbc-bcsmeetings.html |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=U-T San Diego |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917174220/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20060423-0857-fbc-bcsmeetings.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cash and carry">{{Cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Charles |last2=Cole |first2=Jason |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Cash and carry |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-bushprobe |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209172941/http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-bushprobe |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Farmer |first1=Sam |last2=Wharton |first2=David |date=September 23, 2006 |title=After Carroll Reaches Out, Upshaw Seeks Agent Solution |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-sep-23-sp-upshaw23-story.html |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118025929/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/23/sports/sp-upshaw23 |url-status=live }}</ref> The school requested that the conference investigate the matter, and Bush denied any impropriety.

Sports agent Lloyd Lake sued Bush and his family in November 2007 in an effort to recoup $291,600 in cash and gifts. Lake also agreed to cooperate with the NCAA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2007 |title=Bush, family sued by sports marketer for nearly $300,000 in cash, gifts |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3087571 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414085443/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3087571 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2009, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that the NCAA had merged its investigations of Bush and former USC basketball player [[O. J. Mayo]] into a single probe of the Trojans athletic programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |date=April 9, 2009 |title=NCAA probes USC program |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-09-sp-ncaa-usc9-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184745/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-09-sp-ncaa-usc9-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 28, 2009, it was announced that Bush had lost his bid for confidential arbitration in this matter and that the case would proceed to trial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Suit vs. Bush to proceed in court |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=4777630 |access-date=January 9, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=January 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101163640/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=4777630 |url-status=live }}</ref> The case was settled in April 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush reaches settlement in civil suit |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-21-la-sp-0422-newswire-20100422-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184658/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-21-la-sp-0422-newswire-20100422-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 10, 2010, the NCAA announced major sanctions against USC. The NCAA found that Bush had received lavish gifts from Lake and his partner, Michael Michaels, from at least December 2004 onward, including a [[limousine]] ride to the 2005 Heisman Trophy presentation. As a result, USC was given four years of probation and forced to vacate its last two wins of the 2004 season – including the [[2005 Orange Bowl]] – as well as all of its wins in the 2005 season. The Trojans were also banned from bowl games in 2010 and 2011 and lost 30 scholarships over three years. Running backs coach [[Todd McNair]] was banned from off-campus recruiting for one year after the NCAA determined he had known about Bush's dealings with the agents. McNair sued the NCAA for damages related to his dismissal and the NCAA lost. The judge in the case found the NCAA conducted the USC investigation and that of McNair with "malice".<ref name="collegefootball.ap.org">{{Cite web |last=McCartney |first=Anthony |date=November 21, 2012 |title=Judge says NCAA 'malicious' in USC investigation |url=http://collegefootball.ap.org/content/judge-says-ncaa-malicious-usc-investigation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007202516/http://collegefootball.ap.org/content/judge-says-ncaa-malicious-usc-investigation |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> The NCAA also forced USC to disassociate itself from Bush for 10 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2010 |title=USC punished with two-year postseason ban |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5272615 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190237/http://www.espn.com/ncf/news/story?id=5272615 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NCAA infraction report |url=http://assets.espn.go.com/preview/100610/espn_uscpenalties.pdf |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205163308/http://assets.espn.go.com/preview/100610/espn_uscpenalties.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The NCAA determined that, given Bush's high-profile status, USC should have invested more effort in monitoring Bush's relationships. In announcing the penalties, NCAA infractions committee chairman [[Paul Dee]] said, "High-profile players merit high-profile enforcement."<ref>[[Stewart Mandel|Mandel, Stewart]]. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/10/usc.penalties/index.html With harsh USC penalties, NCAA sends warning to all elite programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612222606/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/10/usc.penalties/index.html |date=June 12, 2010 }}. [[Sports Illustrated]], June 10, 2010.</ref>

====USC begins ten-year dissociation and Bush vacates Heisman Trophy (2010–2020)====
On July 20, 2010, incoming USC president [[C. L. Max Nikias|Max Nikias]] said the school would remove from its facilities all jerseys and murals displayed in Bush's honor, and would return the school's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hiserman |first=Mike |date=July 20, 2010 |title=USC to send back its Reggie Bush Heisman |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/usc-to-return-reggie-bushs-heisman.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184427/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/usc-to-return-reggie-bushs-heisman.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 12, ''[[USA Today]]'' reported that Bush had called USC's new athletic director, [[Pat Haden]], and apologized for making poor decisions that led to the NCAA sanctions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=David Leon |title=USC AD Pat Haden gets apology from Reggie Bush |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2010-08-12-reggie-bush-apology_N.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=USA Today |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107080326/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2010-08-12-reggie-bush-apology_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in a subsequent report in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Haden said the characterization of Bush's call as an "apology" was incorrect; Haden described it as "a conversation of him being contrite, but not an apology", and he also noted that Bush had not admitted to any specific wrongful acts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=August 14, 2010 |title=Haden gets call, but no apology, from Bush |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-aug-13-la-sp-0814-reggie-bush-usc-20100814-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921183657/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-aug-13-la-sp-0814-reggie-bush-usc-20100814-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Amidst reports that the Heisman Trophy Trust would strip his award,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2010 |title=Heisman Trust leader denies decision to revoke Bush's trophy |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/heisman-trust-leader-denies-decision-to-revoke-bush-s-trophy-09000d5d81a536d9 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909180328/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a536d9/article/heisman-trust-leader-denies-decision-to-revoke-bushs-trophy |url-status=live }}</ref> Bush in September voluntarily forfeited his title as the 2005 winner.<ref name="usatoday-100914" /><ref name="nytimes-100914" /> The Heisman Trust decided to leave the award vacated with no new winner to be announced, although it is speculated by Bush and others that the NCAA offered the award to both Vince Young and Matt Leinart, something that Bush said Vince Young confirmed to him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Markazi |first=Arash |date=September 16, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush's Heisman to stay vacated |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5576729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110131236/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5576729 |archive-date=January 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Pat McAfee reacts to the NCAA trying to give Reggie Bush's Heisman away |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HJAXOjOOlKg  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/HJAXOjOOlKg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=The Pat McAfee Show}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The [[San Diego Hall of Champions]] sports museum returned the copy of the award it possessed back to Bush's parents in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Andrew |date=July 19, 2011 |title=Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy reportedly returned to Bush family |url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/reggie_bushs_heisman_trophy_re.html |access-date=July 19, 2011 |publisher=nola.com |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720204227/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/reggie_bushs_heisman_trophy_re.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bush eventually returned his trophy to the Heisman Trust in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moura |first=Pedro |date=August 15, 2012 |title=Former USC RB Bush returned his '05 Heisman |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story?id=8272932&_slug_=former-usc-trojans-running-back-reggie-bush-returned-2005-heisman-trophy |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002103625/http://www.espn.com/ncf/story/_/id/8272932/former-usc-trojans-running-back-reggie-bush-returned-2005-heisman-trophy |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a May 2020 interview with ''[[The Athletic]]'', Bush said the sanctions against USC due to his conduct was "one of the worst feelings in the world" and that the sanctions "felt like I died when I had to hear that there weren't gonna be scholarships for kids because of me or because of something connected to me... I'm still not over that. It's just something you learn to live with."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Bruce |date=May 10, 2020 |title=Reggie Bush looks back on his college career through the lens of NCAA rules changes |url=https://theathletic.com/1798818/2020/05/10/reggie-bush-usc-football-ncaa-rules-changes-name-image-likeness-value/ |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=The Athletic |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015233644/https://theathletic.com/1798818/2020/05/10/reggie-bush-usc-football-ncaa-rules-changes-name-image-likeness-value/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Heisman Trophy reinstatement campaign and success (2020–2024)====
On June 9, 2020, USC announced they would be ending their disassociation with Bush following the conclusion of the NCAA's mandated 10-year span.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=June 9, 2020 |title=USC Expected to end Reggie Bush disassociation |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29289915/sources-usc-expected-end-reggie-bush-disassociation-school |access-date=June 9, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610014840/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29289915/sources-usc-expected-end-reggie-bush-disassociation-school |url-status=live }}</ref> After the NCAA ruled to allow players to make money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) on June 30, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-nil-rules.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-nil-rules.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |title=College Athletes May Earn Money From Their Fame, N.C.A.A. Rules |work=The New York Times |last=Blinder |first=Alan |date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bush began advocating for the reinstatement of his Heisman Trophy and USC records. He  reached out to the NCAA and the Heisman Trust president Michael Comerford, but received a call from Rob Whalen, the executive director stating that Comerford would not be corresponding with them.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/07/01/reggie-bush-wants-heisman-trophy-back-ncaas-nil-laws |title=Reggie Bush Wants Heisman Trophy Back Under NCAA's New NIL Rules |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Jackson |first=Wilton |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731004523/https://www.si.com/college/2021/07/01/reggie-bush-wants-heisman-trophy-back-ncaas-nil-laws }}</ref>  On July 2, the Heisman Trust issued a statement saying that the award would be returned to Bush if the NCAA reinstated his 2005 status at USC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henning |first=Tim |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Statement from the Heisman Trophy Trust |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/statement-from-the-heisman-trophy-trust-july-2-2021/ |access-date=October 3, 2023}}</ref>  On July 28, a statement issued by the NCAA said that no previous infractions would be re-evaluated, as the updated NIL rules continued to prohibit "pay-for-play type arrangements."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2021 |title=NCAA won't re-evaluate penalties for Bush, other cases |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-southern-california-trojans-football-9c072b7100fe4f59ad5bf3aa9732f359 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lev |first1=Jacob |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |date=July 28, 2021 |title=NCAA stance means Reggie Bush won't get Heisman Trophy back |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/us/reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-spt/index.html |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=CNN}}</ref>

In April 2023, billboards began to appear in the Los Angeles area demanding the return of Bush's Heisman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kartje |first=Ryan |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Who is behind all those billboards demanding return of Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2023-04-26/billboards-reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-usc-football-ncaa |access-date=April 26, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125041243/https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2023-04-26/billboards-reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-usc-football-ncaa |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 14, 2023, attorneys representing USC and Bush submitted a petition to the NCAA Committee on Infractions, asking them to review their 2010 case and reconsider their decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2023 |title=PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC INFRACTIONS REPORT (JUNE 10, 2010) |url=https://mccathernlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-08-14-USC-RB-Petition-for-Reconsideration-of-the-2010-Report.pdf |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=mccathernlaw.com}}</ref>  On August 23, Bush announced that he was filing a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges that their use of the phrase "pay-for-play" in their July 2021 statement was a false claim directed at him that, consequently, damaged his reputation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mossburg |first=Cheri |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Former USC star Reggie Bush files defamation suit against NCAA, wants Heisman Trophy back |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/23/us/reggie-bush-ncaa-lawsuit-heisman-spt/index.html |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=CNN}}</ref> The purpose of this lawsuit was to help him achieve his goal of reacquiring his trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Former USC star, Helix High standout Reggie Bush plans defamation lawsuit against NCAA |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2023/08/23/former-usc-star-reggie-bush-plans-defamation-lawsuit-against-ncaa |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}}</ref> Former Heisman winners [[Eddie George]] and [[Johnny Manziel]] voiced their support of Bush, with the latter announcing that he would boycott all future Heisman ceremonies until Bush would be allowed to stand on stage with him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Eddie George backs Johnny Manziel's efforts to help Reggie Bush get his Heisman back |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/eddie-george-backs-johnny-manziels-efforts-to-help-reggie-bush-get-his-heisman-back |access-date=April 26, 2025 |website=[[Fox Sports]] |language=en}}</ref>

On April 24, 2024, the Heisman Trust announced it would return the Heisman Trophy to Bush, citing "enormous changes in the college football landscape".<ref name="PeteThamel" /> Among the changes cited, were changes to the NCAA's NIL payment policy and the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]]'s [[National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston|2021 decision]] that questioned the legality of the NCAA's amateurism model.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/heisman-reggie-bush-5ec9ed713534ca1081a0777b699d0385|title=Reggie Bush is reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with organizers citing NIL rule changes|publisher=Associated Press|date=April 24, 2024|accessdate=April 24, 2024}}</ref> USC also restored Bush's banner at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] and retired his number alongside the school's other Heisman winners.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Phillips|first=Ryan|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/usc-brings-back-reggie-bush-number-coliseum|title=USC Brings Back Reggie Bush's Prestigious Honor at Coliseum|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 5, 2024|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref>

===Awards and recognition===
*Awarded the 2005 [[Walter Camp Award]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards |publisher=Walter Camp Football Foundation |url=http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/ |website=WalterCamp.org |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525021451/http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 2005 [[Doak Walker Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award |url=http://smu.edu/doakwalker/doak_recipients.asp |website=SMU.edu| publisher= Southern Methodist University |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110915040856/http://smu.edu/doakwalker/doak_recipients.asp |archive-date=September 15, 2011 |access-date= September 20, 2010}}</ref>
*Won the [[Heisman Trophy]] in 2005, beating finalists [[Vince Young]] and 2004 Heisman winner and teammate [[Matt Leinart]].<ref name= "heisman.com">{{cite web| url= http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-bush05.html | title= 2005 – 71st Award: Reggie Bush: USC Back| website= heisman.com| publisher= CSTV Networks| date= | access-date= March 25, 2022| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081113142326/http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-bush05.html| archivedate= November 13, 2008}}</ref> After an NCAA investigation in 2010 ruled he was ineligible to participate as a student-athlete at USC, Bush became the first player in the history of the Heisman Trophy to forfeit the award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Nakia |date=September 15, 2010 |title=New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush first player to forfeit Heisman Trophy |url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/09/saints_bush_decides_to_give_ba.html |website=NOLA.com |agency=Associated Press |publisher= |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918023446/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/09/saints_bush_decides_to_give_ba.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Heisman Trust reinstated Bush's award in 2024.<ref name="PeteThamel" />
*Also in 2005, he was named [[The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.]] Offensive Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Bio: Reggie Bush |website= usctrojans.cstv.com |publisher= University of Southern California Official Athletic Site |url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_reggie00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526033759/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_reggie00.html |archive-date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref>
*In celebration of their stellar college football careers, Bush and Leinart appeared on the cover of the December 25, 2005, issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''. The magazine anointed the pair as the "Best in College Football" in 2005.
*Bush was the 17th player in NCAA history to gain over 2,000 all-purpose yards twice (2,330 yards in 2004 and 2,890 yards in 2005).
*He was featured on the cover of ''[[NCAA Football 2007]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2006 |title=EA Drafts Heisman Trophy Winner Reggie Bush as Cover Athlete |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball07/news.html?sid=6148575 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=GameStop |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929224508/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball07/news.html?sid=6148575 |url-status=live }}</ref> released on July 18, 2006.
*He was ranked No. 24 on ESPN's 25 Greatest Players in College Football list.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2008 |title=25 Greatest Players in College Football |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3086827 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913201435/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3086827 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===College statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="4"| Rushing
! colspan="4"| Receiving
! colspan="4"| Kick Returns
! colspan="4"| Punt Returns
|-
! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Ret !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Ret !! Yds !! Avg !! TD
|-
! [[2003 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2003]] || [[2003 USC Trojans football team|USC Trojans]]
| 13 || 90 || 521 || 5.8 || 3 || 15 || 314 || 20.9 || 4 || 18 || 492 || 27.3 || 1 || 2 || 4 || 2.0 || 0
|-
! [[2004 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2004]] || [[2004 USC Trojans football team|USC Trojans]]
| 13 || 143 || 908 || 6.3 || 6 || 43 || 509 || 11.8 || 7 || 21 || 537 || 25.6 || 0 || 24 || 376 || 15.7 || 2
|-
! [[2005 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2005]] || [[2005 USC Trojans football team|USC Trojans]]
| 13 || 200 || 1,740 || 8.7 || 16 || 37 || 478 || 12.9 || 2 || 28 || 493 || 17.6 || 0 || 18 || 179 || 9.9 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html Total] || 39 || 433 || 3,169 || 7.3 || 25 || 95 || 1,301 || 13.7 || 13 || 67 || 1522 || 22.7 || 1 || 44 || 559 || 12.7 || 3
|}