Former Heisman winners elated to see trophy returned to Reggie Bush
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 will forever be the day Reggie Bush got his Heisman Trophy back after the trust reinstated the former USC’s star’s award.
With the news, fellow Heisman winners were elated to see the decision. The headliner? Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who previously took a stand against the trust until Bush got his award back.
He wasn’t the only one either.
“Couldn’t be happier for my guy Reggie Bush (fingers crossed emoji),” Manziel wrote.
In a follow up tweet, Manziel put out a longer statement.
“Thank you to the Heisman Trophy for doing what’s right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold,” Manziel wrote. “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. Reggie Bush, you deserve it.”
2022 winner and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams was happy with the decision as well. A fellow USC alum, Williams shouted out Bush.
“Yes sirskii. It’s timeee,” Williams wrote.
Bush’s former teammate and quarterback Matt Leinart was hyped at the decision.
Former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, another Heisman winner, said it was about time Bush got it back.
“Reggie Bush got his Heisman Trophy Back. You LOVE to see it,” Griffin III tweeted with a Bush highlight video.
2001 Heisman winner Eric Crouch (Nebraska) congratulated Bush on getting his trophy back.
“I’m very happy to be here with Reggie Bush today as his Heisman is handed back,” Crouch wrote on Twitter. “Congrats! We talked about running option together, lol. Heisman Duo.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was the first prominent college football coach to see the news and comment on the positive development.
“This is sooooo awesome!!! Finally. #BestEver @ReggieBush @uscfb,” Kiffin wrote on Twitter.
Bush provided a statement to ESPN on the matter, elaborating on how thrilled he is to be reunited with the trophy he’s longed for to be back in his possession.
“Personally, I’m thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I’m honored to return to the Heisman family,” Bush said, via a statement toESPN. “I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.”
In August of 2023, news broke that Reggie Bush planned to file a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA, and as part of that motion, he asked for his Heisman trophy to be rightfully returned to him. Well, the NCAA has not given it back just yet, which has led to the out-cry of the award’s 2012 winner, Johnny Manziel.
Manziel tweeted that he’d no longer be in attendance for the event until Bush has his trophy back:
“After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back. Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy. Do the RIGHT thing NCAA the ball is in your court. Much love JM2.”