Heisman hot potato
Did you hear about Reggie Bush?
(Again?)
On Tuesday morning, Yahoo! Sports reported that Bush would be stripped of his 2005 Heisman Trophy, in light of an independent investigation that found the former Trojan running back ineligible during part of his time at USC. Citing anonymous sources close the situation, the story estimated that the Heisman Trophy Trust would announce its decision by the end of September.
Later that afternoon, there was indeed an announcement from the Trust. However, the official comment was contradictory to the Yahoo! story:
“The status of the USC/Bush matter remains unchanged. Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate.”
And so the saga of Reggie Bush’s Heisman lives on.
Although there’s no timeline for the official ruling on the matter, the facts of the case are readily available for judgment from the court of higher opinion.
Bush maintains his innocence, while the NCAA has ruled otherwise.
Although the resounding majority seems to favor the repossession of the trophy, there are some arguments that make an interesting case on Bush’s behalf.
We want to know:
Should Reggie Bush lose his Heisman Trophy?
—–
What do you think? Add your two cents to the conversation by submitting a comment in the entry form below.
I think Austin said it all but wanted to chime in on Becky’s comment about money. When the education is completely free, I see no reason why a student athlete shouldn’t take student loans like everyone else. They’ll take far fewer so they’ll have far less to pay back. And let’s not forget, their education is supposed to be their pay.
Everyone seems to agree Bush’s performance warranted the Heisman. Whether his behavior should be punished retroactively is up for debate, but what might be more important is the broader picture. What can the NCAA do to change the culture of under-the-table kickbacks that is so pervasive in college sports? @Becky offers one solution, which is paying college athletes. While definitely a dangerous proposition, transparency may be just what college sport needs. If players are being paid (illegally already), why not make it official?
@Austin: “Regardless of benefits that he may have received he was still no doubt that he was the most outstanding player.”
That sums it up right there.
—
Trevor Wong is a Daily Trojan staff writer
Personally I think he should keep the Heisman. The NCAA is a filthy hypocrite. They continually punish and sanction schools in an effort to have them watch themselves better. But if they continue to allow student athletes to compete while ineligible, or allow a coach to continue coaching at another location without sanctions against them personally, then the system is completely broken. The NCAA screwed up by allowing him to play. USC could have checked themselves better, but ultimately the NCAA was responsible for verifying that he was following rules. Ruling him ineligible years later is a load of crap. Bush keeps the Heisman.
I agree with Austin. There’s no doubt that Reggie Bush was the most outstanding college football player that season. The benefits were not responsible for making that the case. Retroactively taking the award away won’t make amends for the improper benefits received. The NCAA has already sanctioned USC in an attempt to do so. If Bush is stripped of the Heisman it will be only on a technicality… most will still consider him the real Heisman Award winner.
I think the real issue here is the fact that this situation happens in the vast majority of athletic programs. These athletes get a full ride scholarship but don’t have the money for basic spending cash. They devote their lives to a school and program for four years with no time for a job. Why not just pay college athletes? They bring enough money into the school, it seems only fair that they see a little bit of that.
While Reggie Bush was found to have received improper benefits at least one factor should still be considered when considering stripping him of the award. The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football in a particular season. Regardless of benefits that he may have received he was still no doubt that he was the most outstanding player. Never has another player in history received a higher point total in Heisman voting.
Don’t get me wrong, I find the fact that he and whomever else was involved in these actions deplorable, but he is without a doubt one of the most outstanding college football players of all time.