USC Football: Former Star QB To Avoid Heisman Ceremony Until Reggie Bush’s Trophy Is Restored
Former Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel recently came to the defense of USC great Reggie Bush again.
This time, he's taken it a step further.
The former Heisman winner announced via X that he would boycott the annual ceremony until the NCAA hands back the Heisman Trophy to Bush.
"After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until @ReggieBush gets his trophy back," Manziel posted on X. "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."
Johnny Football first came to Bush's defense in August 2023.
Johnny Football said in a post that the only difference between Manziel and Bush is he did his 'illegal activities' after his Heisman season.
Bush won the Heisman award in his junior year of the 2005-2006 season. However, after an investigation done by the NCAA, they found that Bush and his family received impermissible extra benefits, including cash, a rent-free home for his parents near San Diego, and travel expenses from prospective agents.
Because of those rules that Bush broke back then, the NCAA punished USC. The Trojans football program was banned from postseason play for two years, docked 30 scholarships, and forced to vacate 14 wins, including the 2004 BCS national title.
Even with the NIL being introduced a couple of years back, which has changed the landscape of college football, the NCAA isn't budging.
However, the Heisman Trust did say they'd return Bush's Heisman, but only if the NCAA reinstated him.
It's been a long fight, but Bush isn't giving up anytime soon.
In August 2023, the former USC great filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that the governing body's 2021 statement that he had a "pay-for-play type arrangement" while at USC was false.
The NCAA filed a motion to dismiss in November.
The fight for getting Reggie what is rightfully his is not done. Manizel is right behind Bush in this fight.
Your move, NCAA.
