USC legend Reggie Bush set to speak Thursday after Heisman Trophy reinstatement

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.”