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Reggie Bush Forfeits 2005 Heisman Trophy

Patrick Crawley |
September 14, 2010 | 2:48 p.m. PDT

Senior Sports Editor

Former USC tailback Reggie Bush has decided to forfeit his Heisman trophy.

The 2005 winner made a decision Tuesday to hand over the trophy rather than place its fate in the hands of the Heisman Trust, which was expected to revoke Bush's award at its weekly meeting (also on Tuesday). 

Bush is the first Heisman winner in the award's 75-year history to willingly give it up.

Here's what he had to say about the decision in a statement released by the New Orleans Saints:

"One of the greatest honors of my life was winning the Heisman Trophy in 2005. For me, it was a dream come true. But I know that the Heisman is not mine alone. Far from it. I know that my victory was made possible by the discipline and hard work of my teammates, the steady guidance of my coaches, the inspiration of the fans, and the unconditional love of my family and friends. And I know that any young man fortunate enough to win the Heisman enters into a family of sorts. Each individual carries the legacy of the award and each one is entrusted with its good name.

"It is for these reasons that I have made the difficult decision to forfeit my title as Heisman winner of 2005."

The issue of revoking Bush's Heisman surfaced last week with a report from Yahoo! Sports that the eight person Heisman Trust was going to take action against him in the wake of an NCAA investigation that exposed improprieties at USC during Bush's time there.

Yahoo! reported that the trust had decided to vacate Bush's Heisman but was waiting for its next meeting to make the announcement official.

As sad of a day as this must be for Bush, it must also come as a bit of a relief to have the issue out of the way and done with.

It should be easier for him to focus on the rest of the Saints' schedule now that the media is no longer speculating about his checkered past.

To reach editor Patrick Crawley, click here.

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