Former USC running back Reggie Bush has taken legal action against the NCAA, filing a defamation lawsuit. He accuses the organization of falsely claiming that he participated in a “pay-to-play” scheme during his time at USC, leading to the forfeiture of his football records and Heisman Trophy.
The lawsuit, filed in Indiana but announced at a press conference at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, specifically addresses a statement released by the NCAA on July 28, 2021. In this statement, the NCAA declined to reinstate Bush’s collegiate records, citing his alleged involvement in a “pay-for-play arrangement.” Bush’s legal team vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that he never received any payment from USC or any other entity for playing football at the university.
“Reggie Bush did not accept any form of payment for representing USC,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump. “The truth is, Reggie Bush played for USC out of pure devotion, which resulted in numerous collegiate records and accolades, including the prestigious Heisman Trophy. It was his dedication that also contributed to multiple national championships for his team. Furthermore, it was Reggie’s commitment, along with other college football players, that generated billions of dollars for the NCAA.”
Bush expressed his aspiration of returning to the Coliseum and running out of the tunnel with the Trojan football team, but lamented, “I can’t do that without my Heisman Trophy.”
He further stated that his collegiate career and the accomplishments of his Trojan teams were unfairly dismantled without any substantiated evidence to support the claims against him.
“Most recently, the NCAA issued a statement accusing me of engaging in a pay-for-play arrangement, which is 100 percent false,” Bush explained. “Not only is it false, but there is no evidence to back up this claim. Moreover, this accusation was not even a part of the initial NCAA investigation. This is a new allegation as far as I’m concerned.”
No immediate response has been received from the NCAA regarding this matter.
The NCAA’s statement regarding the alleged “pay-for-play arrangement” was prompted by inquiries about the potential reinstatement of Bush’s collegiate records and return of his Heisman Trophy. These inquiries arose after the NCAA approved NIL rules, allowing college athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image, or likeness. Additionally, questions regarding the validity of the NCAA’s investigation that led to sanctions against USC were raised in separate legal proceedings.
The Heisman Trust indicated their willingness to consider the return of Bush’s award if the NCAA granted reinstatement. However, the NCAA declined, issuing their 2021 statement that referenced “pay-to-play.”
According to the NCAA investigation, Bush, along with his mother and stepfather, allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in cash and free housing from a potential marketer while he was playing for USC starting in December 2004. The NCAA’s 67-page report also states that Bush and his family received additional benefits such as an automobile, air travel, hotel accommodations, transportation, and more.
On Wednesday, Bush and his legal team once again refuted the findings of the NCAA investigation.
“I want to address a couple of common misconceptions,” attorney Levi McCathern emphasized. “Firstly, there is a misconception that USC paid Reggie for playing football. While some schools may have engaged in such practices, USC did not, and Reggie never received any form of payment from the university. Secondly, there is a misconception that Reggie was paid by a sponsor, an alumnus, or someone affiliated with the school. No one ever paid him. Reggie was never involved in any pay-for-play arrangement. These alleged violations, based on flimsy evidence and a poorly executed NCAA investigation, were at best minor infractions, such as loaning money for Reggie to repair his car or allowing him to change clothes.”
In addition to the defamation lawsuit, Bush’s legal team has submitted a renewed petition to the NCAA, urging them to reconsider their decision and reinstate Bush’s collegiate records and honors.
Bush played for USC from 2003 to 2005, contributing to the Trojans’ 2004 national championship, which was later vacated as a result of the NCAA investigation.
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