NCAA Makes Unpopular Decision On Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy

After the NCAA’s new NIL rule that allows players to benefit off of their name, image and likeness, many fans were calling for Reggie Bush to be given his 2005 Heisman Trophy back.

Bush and USC were famously reprimanded after it was revealed that the electric running back received “improper benefits” during his time with the program.

Following the new rule, Reggie Bush sent a letter to the NCAA, and the Heisman Trust announced they would welcome Bush back if the NCAA allowed it.

The Heisman Trophy Trust Releases Statement On Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophyhttps://t.co/jmMdvwqv8n

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Unfortunately for Reggie Bush and fans all over the country, the NCAA announced on Wednesday that they will not be reversing prior decisions involving infractions.

“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 spokesperson said via 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.”

Reggie Bush’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, issued a statement of his own after the ruling.

“… The NCAA doubles down on its decade-plus draconian penalty of a teenage kid who had his award taken based upon a sham investigation,” Spiro said in a statement. “You have to wonder if profiting from kids for this long has clouded the NCAA’s judgment as to why we have student athletics in the first place.”

The NCAA is making an incredibly unpopular decision by not just ruling in common sense.

You could make the argument that Reggie Bush’s 2005 season was the greatest of all-time. And for that to not be officially recognized is a damn shame.

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