Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown expressed support for Reggie Bush’s efforts to reclaim his Heisman Trophy after voluntarily giving it up due to NCAA penalties against the University of Southern California. Brown, who won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame, believes Bush should get the award back, especially in the current landscape of college athletes receiving significant sums of money through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Brown emphasized that Bush did not personally receive any money and hopes that he will be able to reclaim his rightful trophy.
A four-year investigation in 2010 found that Bush and his family received benefits from a sports agent not affiliated with USC, leading to his decision to return the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Bush filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA in 2021 over a statement made regarding the restoration of his records and participation following changes to NIL rules. Despite the NCAA’s involvement in the situation, Brown believes that it was the media and voters who determined Bush as the rightful Heisman Trophy winner and hopes that the award will be returned to him.
Brown and Bush are scheduled to compete at the Invited Celebrity Classic golf tournament in Irving, Texas, where Brown expressed excitement for the event and the opportunity to hit the ball around the course. The tournament will take place at the Las Colinas County Club and will be televised on the GOLF Channel. Brown’s support for Bush’s quest to reclaim his Heisman Trophy reflects a growing sentiment among former players in light of changing attitudes towards NIL deals in college sports.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bush’s past actions and the NCAA’s penalties against USC, Brown’s endorsement of Bush’s efforts to regain his Heisman Trophy underscores a belief that the former running back deserves recognition for his on-field achievements. As NIL deals continue to reshape the landscape of college sports, former players like Brown are voicing support for athletes who may have been unfairly penalized in the past. The upcoming Invited Celebrity Classic golf tournament in Texas will provide an opportunity for Brown and Bush to showcase their talents while also highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding athlete compensation and recognition in collegiate athletics.
