Fans of the University of Southern California (USC) and its college football program will of course remember Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush Jr. (born March 2, 1985). Mr. Bush played in the USC football program from 2003 to 2005 and was one of the most electrifying running backs ever to play the game. He helped USC win National Titles in 2003, and 2004, and he helped take USC to the National Title game in 2005 where they narrowly lost to the University of Texas in what some claim to be the most exciting college football game ever. He went on to win a Super Bowl and to have a moderately successful NFL career.

Perhaps today Reggie is more known for being the NCAA's scape goat and justification for their unprecedented sanctions against USC what some have called a "death sentence" for a storied college football team. Reggie is accused of having contact with a sports agent - through his own actions or by his parents - while still an NCAA "student athlete". This, combined with other incidents surrounding the USC basketball program, and associated with former USC assistant coach Todd McNair, is the NCAA's justification for their sanctions against USC; and for the tarnishing of Reggie and USC's reputation during this time. 

Whether the sanctions were justified or not, what is not up for debate is Reggie Bush being the 2005 Heisman award winner and as the Heisman trust website indicates "the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity". Reggie's media attention does not come from trouble with law enforcement like other Heisman recipients who still retain their trophies. He is an upstanding member of his community. He is a family man; a husband, and a father. On the field, he is known for being a great teammate in the NFL and a strong contributor to several NFL teams including the Saints who won the Super Bowl.

In college, Reggie's performance and play, and his stature still today continue to inspire and attract college football's top performers and players including Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey in 2015; Jabrill Peppers in 2016, and stellar players including Adoree Jackson. They see beyond unfair sanctions and perception and recognize Reggie as the most electrifying Running Back during his time - their inspiration by their own admission in many ways.

Reggie's "crime" is that he was part of a witch-hunt by the NCAA against a college football powerhouse at the time and he was an easy target. It's time to end his unfair punishment and to open the door to welcoming him back to college football. Nothing would open that door more than the Heisman Trust extending the olive branch, and welcome back its 2005 winner with open arms.