The Heisman Trust called the decision to reinstate Bush and return his trophy an "enormous changes in the college football landscape."

"We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments," said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust via ESPN. "We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back."

Bush was stripped of his Heisman Trophy due to NCAA sanctions levied against his alma mater, USC, which included allegations that Bush received improper benefits during his decorated collegiate career prior to a rule change later allowing players to benefit on name, image and likeness endorsements. The former USC running back was returned his official Heisman Trophy and will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies beginning with the 2024 college football season, while his alma mater will receive a replica version.

Last year, Bush announced that he filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA following accusations of accepting impermissible benefits from a "marketing agency" during his collegiate career and sued on the grounds that the NCAA made a statement in 2021 claiming he engaged in a "pay-for-play" arrangement, which could be perceived as USC or a booster paying him under the table to attend the college.

"This is a new accusation as far as I’m concerned," Bush said during a news conference in which he called the statement completely false while appearing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum last August.

Bush was selected No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 NFL Draft and had a 11-year NFL career with four teams, which included winning Super Bowl XLIV as a member of the Saints and being elected to the Saints Hall of Fame. The California native retired from the NFL in 2016 and has since contributed to FOX Sports' college football coverage as an on-air analyst.

Gronkowski, a four-time Super Bowl champion, ranks third all-time among NFL tight ends in career touchdown receptions (92), sixth in receiving yards (9,286) and 10th in receptions (621) at the time of his retirement.

Jim Rose