Reggie Bush says giving up 2005 Heisman Trophy is not an admission of guilt

Former USC standout Reggie Bush said Thursday his decision to relinquish his 2005 Heisman Trophy is "not an admission of guilt," just the best way to end the controversy surrounding the award.

METAIRIE, La. — Former USC standout Reggie Bush said Thursday his decision to relinquish the 2005 Heisman Trophy is "not an admission of guilt," just the best way to end the controversy.

"It's me showing respect to the Heisman Trophy itself and to the people who came before me and the people coming after," running back Bush said after practice with the NFL champion New Orleans Saints.

"I just felt like it was the best thing to do, the most respectful thing to do because obviously I do respect the Heisman. I do respect all the things it stands for."

The Heisman Trophy Trust had discussed reviewing Bush's eligibility for the award after an NCAA report concluded Bush and his family had improperly accepted cash and gifts from sports agents while Bush was playing for USC.

Bush said he thought returning the award was the best way to move forward:
"I felt just to kind of silence all the talk around it, all the negativity around it — I felt like this would be the best decision to do right now so I could focus."

Bush is the first winner in the 75-year history of the Heisman — one of the most prestigious prizes in American sports — to forfeit the award.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Bush has "matured a ton here since we drafted him" and has "the full support of the players in the locker room."

Bush said he consulted family and some associates before forfeiting the Heisman, a move some of those close to him opposed.

"My mom and dad didn't want me to give it back," Bush said. "That's just the motherly and fatherly nature of parents. They understand it at the end of the day. They understand I'm a grown man and I've got to make my own decisions and this is a learning experience for me and anybody else coming after me. ... All I can do is grow stronger from here."

The NCAA in June cited USC for failing to monitor its athletes closely enough and punished the football program with a two-year postseason ban and a reduction in scholarships.

"I'm not happy this happened," Bush said. "This is just a part of life. This is a part of growing pains and becoming more mature. You learn. You grow. You get better. You get stronger and hopefully you never make those same mistakes again.

"How do I clear my name? I don't know. I'm not sure. This is the first time I've been in this situation. I've obviously got to brainstorm and get together with my team and see what we can do."

Article Courtesy of The Associated Press