Reggie Bush, the legendary University of Southern California running back who helped guide the Trojans to two National Championships in the mid-2000s, will speak to the media on Thursday for the first time since his 2005 Heisman Trophy was returned this week.

Bush, a San Diego County native who played for USC from 2003 to 2005, forfeited college football’s most prestigious award in 2010 in light of the discovery of “improper benefits” in the form of money and other items being awarded to him during his career, according to the LA Times.

In addition to the stripping of the title of “Heisman Trophy winner,” the 2004 BCS National Championship, and all wins from that 13-0 season, was vacated from USC itself.

On Wednesday, The Heisman Trophy Trust decided to give the trophy back to Bush, and the replica back to USC after a “deliberative process” in light of the massive structural changes to college athletics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, President of the trust. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”

Bush’s astounding 2005 season was marked with 1,740 rushing yards, 478 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. USC finished the season at No. 2 in the BCS rankings, after falling to Texas in the National Championship game, which is now remembered as one of the greatest games in college football history.

Bush won the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote over Texas quarterback Vince Young.

The Heisman Trust said in addition to being re-awarded the hardware, Bush will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning in the next one this December.

Former winners rejoiced in the news that Bush was rejoining the Heisman family.

Thank you to the [Heisman Trophy] for doing what’s right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold,” former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Maziel, the 2012 winner, said on X. “There were many voices throughout this process that stood on the table for Reggie simply because of the kind of human being he is. I look forward to being on that stage with you this December.”

Bush’s teammate Matt Leinart, who was the Trojan’s quarterback from 2003 to 2005, said Wednesday was a “huge day for college football” in a video posted to his social media accounts. Leinart won the Heisman in 2004, one year before Bush.

“Everybody knows how long of a road this was,” Leinart said. “Over 10 years in the making … Now the trophy is back in the hands of where it belongs.”

A family recalls the fear they felt when the studio tram they were riding in crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood, leaving 15 people injured.

Since the incident, the Murrieta family claims park officials have downplayed the severity of the crash and the victims’ injuries.

“He indicated it was incredibly dark at the scene,” said Steven Dhillon, the family’s attorney. “Many victims were holding up their flashlights, trying to locate other victims, everybody was screaming. It was mass hysteria.”

Emergency crews responded to the park on April 20 just after 9 p.m., after reports of a crash taking place during the studio backlot tour attraction.

The tram was passing the Jurassic Park exhibit when, while making a left turn, the last tram car struck a metal guardrail on the right-hand side, according to California Highway Patrol.

The maneuver tilted the vehicle, causing passengers to fall out and onto the road. Emergency crews transported 15 people to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

One family visiting from Murrieta was injured in the crash, including 11-year-old Sophia who was celebrating her birthday at the theme park. 

Sophia was ejected from the tram and her father suffered leg, back and shoulder injuries. The girl’s mother was the most injured in the family.

“She was propelled so violently into the plexiglass wall in front of her,” Dhillon said. “It impacted her brain so much that it started to bleed. She’s been experiencing headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation. The list goes on and on.”

All three injured family members were treated at a local hospital and later released.

Universal Studios released a statement after the crash saying, “We are thankful that, based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor.”

However, Dhillon believes the tram was traveling unusually fast that night and that the windows and walls of the tram were not strong enough to protect riders.

“The guard walls that come down on the tram were so weak that they gave out and allowed the individuals to be hurled outside of the tram,” Dhillon said. “This was by no means a minor accident with minor injuries. You don’t transport a dozen individuals to the hospital for minor injuries.”

Although the family said they do not plan to sue Universal Studios, they are hoping park officials will “step up and do the right thing.”

The studio trams can hold over 100 people and typically travel at low speeds. It’s unclear how many people were on board when the collision occurred.

The Studio Tour remains one of the theme park’s most popular attractions, taking riders on a one-hour backlot tour of some of the most iconic film and television sets in Hollywood history.

Throughout the tour, guests experience several interactive elements including animatronics, 3-D motion, sound stages with special effects, and more.

The attraction is celebrating its 60th Anniversary celebration this year after debuting in 1964.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities confirmed that alcohol and drugs were not considered factors. Officials with the California Highway Patrol will be leading the investigation.

Anyone with information on the incident can call CHP Investigating Officer L. Hawkins at 213-744-2331.

The homeless man accused of fatally stabbing a 67-year-old woman in the neck on a Los Angeles Metro train is facing the potential of life in prison after being formally charged Wednesday by the district attorney’s office.  

The unprovoked attack occurred in the early morning hours of April 22 as the victim, identified by family as Mirna Soza, was on a subway train from North Hollywood headed toward Union Station. 

After being stabbed in the throat with two small kitchen knives, the victim got off the train at the Universal City B Line Station while bleeding profusely, the Los Angeles Police Department stated following the incident Monday. 

The 67-year-old was assisted by security personnel before being rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.  

Soza, who worked as a security guard, was on her way home from an overnight shift when she was attacked. She is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren.

The suspect in the attack, identified by police as Elliot Tramel Nowden, was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held on $2 million bail, authorities said.  

Investigators said Nowden exited the subway at the same station as Soza and fled before being caught a short time later near Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue. 

Nowden, who is 45 years old and described by police as a transient, has been in trouble for harassing and attacking Metro passengers in the past. 

In July 2019, he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon while on probation for attacking another passenger earlier that year, police said Tuesday. 

Nowden was sentenced in December 2019 to four years in state prison but continued to frequent Metro stations after his release. 

He was in custody several times this year, including in February when he was arrested for an assault at the same Red Line station, police said. 

Authorities say Nowden and the victim did not know each other and believe there are other victims who have been assaulted. 

“This tragic and senseless act of violence on an innocent Metro passenger has shaken our community as thousands take the Metro daily as a form of transportation,” L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón said in a news release. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. These acts of violence have no place in our society and our office will continue to work to ensure that justice is served to those who commit these egregious crimes.” 

The 45-year-old was charged with one count of murder and one count of first-degree robbery of a transit passenger.  

“It also is alleged the crime was committed as a robbery-murder special circumstance, that the defendant personally used a deadly weapon, and that the victim was vulnerable during the commission of the crime,” the release noted.  

At his arraignment on Wednesday, prosecutors recommended that Nowden be held without bail.

If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison without parole.