Reggie Bush Owes Multiple Apologies, Must Return Heisman Trophy

Reggie Bush doesn't have to offer any specific details -- those have been dissected and debated over the years. Many are a blur, even forgotten over time. Doesn't matter. The damage has been done, specifically to the University of Southern California's proud football program.

The fallout has been considerable in wake of the NCAA findings against Bush. The governing body for college athletics took away USC scholarships. It took away postseason bowl appearances. It took away wins. It disowned Bush from his alma mater.

And the most recent news that the Heisman Trophy Trust is expected to strip Bush of college football's top honor by the end of this month should close the circle on a sordid story that has gone round and round and round.

Where it stopped was anyone's guess. Until now.

Bush actually can make a great decision after years of bad ones regarding this issue.

Reggie, you didn't return the money initially and paid the price, plus interest. Best guess is around $800,000 to your former business partners in confidential settlements. Chump change.

When contacted Tuesday afternoon, Lloyd Lake, one of two partners in the failed marketing agency, hadn't heard the latest news. While Lake declined to comment, citing his agreement with you, he had always said it was never about the Heisman or the national title you helped the Trojans earn.

It was about promises and dreams. It was a business deal.

You probably don't remember Randy Ross, 53, whose family has been in the bicycle business since 1940 -- at one time it was the third-largest domestic producer of bicycles after Schwinn and Huff.

Ross, a long-time friend of Lake's, told FanHouse Tuesday that he was in the limousine with you, Lake and others in 2005 for the drive to attend the birthday party of star NFL running back Marshall Faulk. That's a new detail with an old twist. Ross, among others, said you should have been a gentleman and repaid the money to Lake.

End of story, five years ago.

Keep your billfold tucked away. This isn't about ego or arrogance, not this time. Swallow your pride and return the Heisman Trophy before it's impounded. Step to the podium like you did at the Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York City five years ago.

Listen, there's no need to go overboard.

By all accounts, your acceptance speech was one of the most well-received in the history of the Heisman. It was gracious, classy, articulate. Everyone in the room recognized that you didn't just have football talent. You also had the charm and charisma that attracted people and corporate America.

Obviously, that hasn't changed during your career with the New Orleans Saints. You are making differences on and off the field.

This is a different difference. Return the Heisman. Apologize, again. This apology might even carry more weight, as in 25 pounds -- the weight of the bronze Heisman Trophy statue, sculpted by Frank Eliscu in 1934. Be the bigger and taller man.

Admit you had hoped to help your family financially but you were overcome with greed. It spiraled out of hand, quickly. You misled people. You didn't play by the rules and are now paying the consequences.

Say you're sorry, again. No more sidestepping and straight-arming your way downfield or against public opinion. Step away from the podium. You have fulfilled your most important obligation at this point in time. Case closed.

Say you're sorry, again. No more sidestepping and straight-arming your way downfield or against public opinion. Step away from the podium. You have fulfilled your most important obligation at this point in time. Case closed.
Sure, there are college football fans -- USC fans, too -- who will celebrate in your misfortune. Your bad decisions continue to impact the program you professed your love for not so long ago. It also was about the time you admitted you'd return the Heisman Trophy if you could.

Whatcha talkin' 'bout Willis? You can.

The Heisman ballot necessitates candidates be in compliance with NCAA by-laws. Additionally, there's legitimate concern over the Heisman's reputation in wake of the NCAA's findings against you.

That's why the Heisman Trophy Trust did its own detailed investigation over the past three months, using its resources and reviewing its information against the NCAA's findings.

History has been altered.

If true, you would become the first in the 75-year history of the award to have the trophy taken away.

Yahoo Sports! also reported on Tuesday that the Heisman Trust will leave the honor for that season vacant. Bush collected 2,541 points from voters, 933 more than second-place finisher Vince Young of Texas.

While a spokesman for the Heisman Trust said late Tuesday that the organization had not reached a decision regarding Bush, that doesn't change anything. It actually provides you running room before being cornered again.

Sprint for positive yards this time.

When you stepped to the podium to receive the Heisman Trophy, chants of "Reg-gie, Reg-gie" reverberated off the theater walls. Your three-minute, 22-second speech was interrupted five times by applause. You thanked everyone, from your family to your coaches to your teammates.

Of course, you actually thanked the wrong people.

Return the Heisman Trophy.

You will do everyone – including yourself -- a favor.

Editor's Note: Don Yaeger and Jim Henry co-authored "Tarnished Heisman. Did Reggie Bush turn his final college season into a six-figure job?" in 2008.