By Thomas Hair

Staff Writer

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in the world of collegiate football. Every season, the Heisman Trust declares the most outstanding athletes of the year. Soon after, a mixture of sports journalists, former Heisman winners, and fans vote for the champion. The victor is presented with the trophy at a banquet that is viewed by millions of football fans on live television.

The Heisman Trophy has a rich history that began with Jay Berwanger in 1935. It has thrived for decades all the way up to the most recent winner, Mark Ingram, in 2009. Yes, there are other awards, but the Heisman Trophy is the honor of all honors for a college football athlete.

The Heisman Trophy rewards an athlete’s perseverance, hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport. When one is awarded the Heisman, they inaugurated into an elite group of superstars, a group of the most talented men to ever take the field. A group of Heisman winners. It is the ultimate prize, an irrevocable honor. Or is it?

In 2005, running back Reggie Bush rushed for over 1700 yards on the season, a record shattering performance. As a Jr. on a National Championship caliber USC Trojans team, he was poised for a phenomenal year. When it came time for the Heisman Trophy nominations, Bush was a no-brainer. He was voted Heisman Trophy winner by an overwhelming margin-the largest margin in Heisman Trophy history.

Due to his success in the 2005 season, Bush subsequently entered in the NFL Draft and was selected 2nd overall by the New Orleans Saints. Bush is currently a centerpiece of the Saints’ roster and enjoyed a Super Bowl victory last season.

However, early this summer after a thorough investigation, the NCAA tarnished the name of USC and even Reggie Bush. The Trojans were found guilty of numerous violations, the most notable of which involved Bush himself. NCAA reported that during his time at USC, Bush received benefits such as cash, a house, and possibly even more such bribes.

Due to their findings, NCAA declared Bush ineligible for all of the games he played for USC during which he accepted benefits (which was nearly all of them) and all of the Trojans’ achievements during which Bush was on their roster invalid.

This decree has had catastrophic consequences on Bush. Not only did USC lose its 2005 BCS National Title, but the Heisman Trust is considering revoking Bush’s Heisman Trophy. According to sources such as Yahoo! Sports the Heisman Trust will take Bush’s Heisman back by the end of September.  After all, if he was actually ineligible to play the whole time then his statistics and accomplishments should not count.

This is the most recent turn of events in the USC Scandal that has plagued the Trojans for a few months now. Humbled and stripped of their scholarships and bowl games, USC will be a much different team in the coming seasons.

Bush has declined to comment as of yet on the Heisman Trophy that may be taken back by the Heisman Trust. It’s highly likely that for the first time in history a Heisman Trophy, a supposed irrevocable honor, will be revoked from its recipient.

The USC Scandal is a black eye on the face of the school and this recent development surrounding Bush’s Heisman has only darkened the bruise and further tainted the reputations of USC and Bush.