Reggie Bush? Both Sides of the Issue

There have been two stories that have dominated the headlines in college football. The first being the realignment of the conferences. The second has been the NCAA's punishment of USC. Last Thursday, The NCAA stated that due to the improper benefits received by Reggie Bush (football) and O.J. Mayo (basketball), the athletic program would lose 30 football scholarships over three years, be banned from the postseason for 2 years, and must vacate 14 wins in which Bush participated from December 2004 through the 2005 season.

These sanctions are warranted. The NCAA was quick to punish Florida State and Alabama for their infractions. It was about time the blinders were taken off.

The issue that falls into a gray area is this: Should Reggie Bush be stripped of his Heisman Trophy? In the entire history of the award, no football player has been stripped of the honor. In my opinion, I think the award is the most prestigious individual award in college football, and the classiest individual award given out in all of sports. Every year, a few of the best players from the season are invited to New York City, wear suits, and gather with some of the best players in the history of the sport. At the end of the night, one player wins the award, and from that moment on, his name will live through the years as one of the best to have ever played college football.

I will present both sides of the argument.

Bush should be stripped of the award because...he cheated, and he was caught. Secondarily, the Heisman Trophy is a symbol of integrity. Bush violated the rules of the NCAA. If he keeps the award, what does that say about the trophy? If the Heisman Trust continues to recognize him as a winner, the integrity that the award stands for will be compromised.

Look, there is no questioning Bush's talent. However, when voters make their decision, sometimes they consider what each candidate meant to their team. In the end, he was a detriment. The program had to vacate the wins in which he was apart of. How do you give out an award to a player if the games in which he made his name are not even recognized by the NCAA?





Bush should keep the trophy because...It's very possible that in the entire history of the award, other past winners have also done things that were against the rules. There was a time when college football was dirty. Players may have been given a few bucks from boosters, there may have been some "help" with their grades, etc. Not to pile it on, but knowing what we now know about steroids, and how you can't always tell who's on it and who's not, it very possible that a few past winners may have taken the drug. While I don't condone cheating, and I'm not trying to sully the good name of the award, stripping one player may break down a barrier for other past Heisman contests to be investigated and more decisions to be overturned. If the award is to remain special, the Heisman Trust should stand behind their winners.




There's a lot to consider here. At some point, We will see what the Heisman Trust decides.