One of the most electric players in college sports is now allowed to associate himself with the school that he had more success at than most have between their college and NFL careers combined. However, there’s A LOT that people don’t realize about the entire Reggie Bush situation and his school turning their back on the now 35 year old. Let’s dig into how messed up the whole situation is.

What Happened?

It actually has really nothing to do with USC at all. Whenever people think of a high profile collegiate athlete and scandal, they IMMEDIATELY assume the school paid him to go there. However, that’s not the case here. The ACTUAL reason Reggie Bush got in trouble with the NCAA was because he and his family accepted improper benefits. One example would be the the limo ride to the 2005 Heisman ceremony that Bush subsequently won. That, and money that went towards a home for Bush’s family. So in NO way did USC’s football team have any true wrongdoing.

Where they nailed USC with NCAA sanctions was because of a probe that looked into the scenario that found out about the improper benefits he received from an agent. The only reason the probe happened was because that agent lost almost $300,000 while “investing” in Bush. So the agent sued Bush for the money back. That’s when it was also found out that former Trojan stud basketball player, O.J. Mayo, also received improper benefits, but he has his own story.

The results

After the probe found the wrong doings of Mayo and Bush, the NCAA hammered the Trojans with sanctions that included 4 years probation, forcing the football team to vacate the last 2 wins of 2004 and all wins in 2005, a bow ban for 2010 and 2011 and the loss of 30 scholarships over 3 years.

ALL of that then lead to the Heisman Trophy Trust swirling around the idea of stripping Bush of his trophy for his 2005 campaign where Bush ran an even 200 times for 1740 yards, and 16 TDs along with 37 catches, 478 yards, and 2 TDs. You can also throw in his 672 yards from kick and punt returns and a punt return TD for a grand total of 2890 TOTAL yards and 19 total TDs. No amount of yardage mattered though as the pressure mounted and Bush voluntarily gave up the Heisman trophy for one of the greatest seasons college football may ever see.

What’s so fucked up?

What makes a majority of the re-association so fucked up is that in the penalties leveed by the NCAA they FORCED the Trojans to disassociate from Bush. Not many people realize this and I believe it has led to Reggie Bush being on this island of being a bad guy.

Next, the announcement of the reuniting comes on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the day that the NCAA dished out the heavy sanctions that the Trojans are still feeling today. The Trojans are actually the good guys because they’re reuniting with Bush after the MANDATORY 10 year ban is up.

Lastly, with the ability of hindsight, we have see other stories of athletes receiving improper benefits. Yes, Bush did wrong, but Sean Miller the head coach of the Arizona basketball team was recorded being the highest bidder for DeAndre Ayton. What happened from it? Almost nothing! Sean Miller is still coaching and never had anything vacated.

It’s sad to see the corruption that the NCAA will quickly forget after it ruined the life of one of the most prolific athletes that with ever play on its fields or courts.