After years of working to reclaim his Heisman Trophy, ’s award is his again. The Heisman Trust formally reinstated Bush’s 2005 trophy on Wednesday, it said, 14 years after the former running back forfeited it following an investigation into impermissible benefits. The trust cited “fundamental changes” in college sports, including athletes’ ability to make money for their name, image and likeness and the NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on education-related payments.
” “I’m honored to return to the Heisman family,” Bush told ESPN in a statement. “I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.” Bush won the Heisman Trophy after a standout 2005 season but after an NCAA investigation concluded that Bush and his family took extra benefits while he was a student at USC.