Reggie Bush opened up about how his mental health was tested after the investigation that rescinded his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
Bush, now 39, was stripped of the honor, awarded annually to college football’s most outstanding player, in 2010 after it was determined the University of Southern California running back and his family were given money and gifts that broke NCAA rules.
“That really took a really big shot at my confidence, who I am as a person, who I was as a player, what I stood for,” Bush told People on Thursday, February 6. “Because a lot of lies were being spread about me and about who I was and it was unfortunate because I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t do anything to deserve it.”
Bush — who shares daughter Briseis, 11, and sons Uriah, 9, and Agyeman, 7, with wife Lilit Avagyan, whom he married in July 2014 — admitted things got very dark for him during the aftermath of the investigation.
“I’m so happy I’m standing right here in front of you today as someone who made it through it and didn’t give up,” Bush said, “because there were portions in that time period in my life where I wanted to give up on football and on life.”
He added, “It felt like it was extremely hard. When people are spreading lies about you, and these lies are being spread globally, it’s just one of the toughest things to deal with.”
Following his collegiate career, Bush went on to spend 11 seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.
Bush had his Heisman Trophy reinstated in 2023 following changes to the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness regulations.
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“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust, after the decision was made. “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.”
The USC football Instagram celebrated the news, saying the trophy was “back where it belongs.”
“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 in a statement to ESPN. “I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization.”
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