Reggie Bush forfeits 2005 Heisman Trophy

[Laurent]

Bush forfeits 2005 Heisman Trophy
By RALPH D. RUSSO (AP) – 49 minutes ago

NEW YORK — Reggie Bush says he is forfeiting his Heisman Trophy.

The New Orleans Saints' running back released a statement Tuesday saying he would give back the award that he won in 2005 while he was at Southern California.

It's the first time college football's top award was returned by a recipient.

"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," Bush said. "Those are gifts that can never be taken away."

USC was hit with heavy sanctions by the NCAA this summer after it determined Bush had received improper benefits. The NCAA ruled that Bush was ineligible for the 2005 season, which opened the possibility that the Heisman Trophy Trust would take back the award.

One of the few guidelines given to Heisman Trophy voters is that a player must be in compliance with NCAA rules to be eligible for the trophy.

The eight-member Heisman Trophy Trust, based in New York, had said it would have to consider what to do about Bush, who won in a landslide vote over Texas quarterback Vince Young.

There was no immediate word from the Heisman Trust if the award would be vacated 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 coach Mack Brown said.

Allegations that Bush and his family had received hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from two California-based marketing agents were first reported by Yahoo! Sports in September 2006, months after Bush had already been drafted No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints.

The NCAA and Pac-10 began investigating Bush and the USC football program soon after, and the running back immediately denied any wrongdoing.

But Bush never met with investigators.

One of the marketing agents, Lloyd Lake, sued Bush trying to recoup nearly $300,000 in cash and gifts. Bush was supposed to give a deposition in the case but never did and eventually the case was settled with Bush never having given his side of the story publicly.

It took four years for the NCAA to complete it's investigation. When it finally handed down its punishment in June, it was harsh.

The NCAA cited USC for a lack of institutional control. It's report cited numerous improper benefits for Bush and former basketball player O.J. Mayo, who spent just one year with the Trojans.

The penalties included the loss of 30 football scholarships over three years and vacating 14 victories in which Bush played from December 2004 through the 2005 season. USC beat Oklahoma in the BCS title game on Jan. 4, 2005, and won 12 games during Bush's Heisman-winning 2005 season, which ended with a loss to Texas in the 2006 BCS title game.

After the 2009 season, coach Pete Carroll left to take over the Seattle Seahawks.

In July, USC replaced athletic director Mike Garrett with Pat Haden, and one of the first moves Haden made was returning USC's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy.

AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Associated Press: Bush forfeits 2005 Heisman Trophy

Reggie Bush statement on forfeiting Heisman
By The Associated Press (AP) – 1 hour ago

METAIRIE, La. — Reggie Bush issued a statement Tuesday to say he is forfeiting his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

The full text:

"One of the greatest honors of my life was winning the Heisman Trophy in 2005. For me, it was a dream come true. But I know that the Heisman is not mine alone. Far from it. I know that my victory was made possible by the discipline and hard work of my teammates, the steady guidance of my coaches, the inspiration of the fans, and the unconditional love of my family and friends. And I know that any young man fortunate enough to win the Heisman enters into a family of sorts. Each individual carries the legacy of the award and each one is entrusted with its good name.

It is for these reasons that I have made the difficult decision to forfeit my title as Heisman winner of 2005. The persistent media speculation regarding allegations dating back to my years at USC has been both painful and distracting. In no way should the storm around these allegations reflect in any way on the dignity of this award, nor on any other institutions or individuals. Nor should it distract from outstanding performances and hard-earned achievements either in the past, present or future.

For the rest of my days, I will continue to strive to demonstrate through my actions and words that I was deserving of the confidence placed in me by the Heisman Trophy Trust. I would like to begin in this effort by turning a negative situation into a positive one by working with the Trustees to establish an educational program which will assist student-athletes and their families avoid some of the mistakes that I made. I am determined to view this event as an opportunity to help others and to advance the values and mission of the Heisman Trophy Trust.

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."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Associated Press: Reggie Bush statement on forfeiting Heisman

[msdeb]

thats like quitting before you get fired.

[McJag]

He is a total Hero in New Orleans. They love him no matter what and he gives it right back to his fans, A great guy.

[nancydrew]

I still don't think he should have to lose it. *fingers in ear* lalalalala

[Mel1973]

*continues on with the lalalallaalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala*

[BITTER]

I feel bad for him!!

[Bellatheball]

I hate USC with the strength of a thousand suns. I loathe Pete Carroll even more. Reggie seemed like an ok kid who got pulled into PC's shit. I sort of feel bad for him. Even though his PR person wrote this, it's actually a great statement. PC deserves to have the hammer come down on him so it's too bad he picked up his toys and ran to the next playground.

[*DIVA!]

I feel horrible for him. His skills on the football field won him that trophy..

[Mel1973]

I feel horrible for him. His skills on the football field won him that trophy..

I know, that's my thoughts as well. I mean, he was a stupid college kid who did something(s) that he shouldn't have but it didn't affect his playing. Plus, if I were Vince, there's no way in hell I would want that damn trophy! No way!

[greysfang]

I feel horrible for him. His skills on the football field won him that trophy..

ITA. I believe the fault lies on the school and the agents lavishing him with perks. What teenager is going to say no to that? Would he have even known it was improper? The kid earned his trophy by his play, not because someone gave his mama a Mercedes.

[gas_chick]

Yep I agree with all of you. He flat out earned that trophy and should be allowed to keep it.

[LynnieD]

OJ murders two people and keeps his Heisman....so yea, this makes total sense. *smacks forhead*

I feel for the guy too.

[nancydrew]

OJ murders two people and keeps his Heisman....so yea, this makes total sense. *smacks forhead*

I feel for the guy too.

See I didn't even think about that. I can say that I am sincerely pissed off for Reggie, and that shit is totally unfuckingfair.

[shedevilang]

I agree with ya'll and these bitches need to leave Reggie the fuck alone he has shit to do, like get the Saints back to the Superbowl. How the hell are they going to let O.J. keep his and pull this shit, what it's not in the "heisman rule book" that murder is illegal? Fuck em Reggie right in the eye! *flounces out in a pissy manner

[greysfang]

And thanks to shedevil for our semi-coherent rant o' the day.