By Justin Worsley
The Heisman Trust witnessed history today as someone attempted to return the coveted award.
Reggie Bush, the 2005 winner of the most prestigious collegiate award, announced on Tuesday that he will forfeit his trophy after being ruled an ineligible player during his tenure at the University of Southern California for receiving improper benefits along with former basketball player O.J. Mayo. Bush currently plays for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
USC was forced to vacate their wins during their National Championship-winning season in 2004 and in 2005 where they lost to Texas in the BCS Championship. The program is also currently facing a two-year postseason ban.
Bush's number 5 jersey was also removed from the LA Coliseum, the football programs home field.
Bush made his announcement through the New Orleans Saints official web-site.
The runner-up to the award, current Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, stated on Monday that he would be glad to accept the award if the Heisman committee decided to strip Bush of the award. Bush won the Heisman Trophy with 2,541 points in the vote, the second-most in the history of the award.
No former recipient of the Heisman Trophy has ever returned the award in it's 75-year history.
In the wake of the allegations, USC head coach Pete Carrol bolted the program to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. All sanctions are involved during Carrol's tenure in USC.
Bush rushed for 1,740 yards on only 200 carries and 18 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season.
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