Editing Reggie Bush (section)

===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>