The NCAA on Wednesday stated it will not examine previous penalties following its new rule change permitting faculty athletes to be paid for his or her fame, doubtlessly closing the door on Reggie Bush’s bid to get his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated.
“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” an NCAA spokesperson stated in a press release to CBS Information. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”
A consultant for Bush didn’t instantly reply to CBS Information’ request for remark.
Bush, a former star working again on the College of Southern California, has known as on the NCAA to reinstate his on-field statistics and for the Heisman Belief to return his trophy — faculty soccer’s highest particular person honor. “It is my strong belief that I won the Heisman trophy ‘solely’ due to my hard work and dedication on the football field and it is also my firm belief that my records should be reinstated,” Bush stated.
Bush and his household have been accused of receiving items and cash from advertising brokers as a bribe to signal with them after leaving USC. Because of an investigation, the NCAA in 2010 vacated USC’s wins with Bush, together with its 2013 nationwide championship win. The college was additionally banned from bowl video games for 2 years and Bush forfeited his Heisman.
Earlier this month, the NCAA adopted an interim coverage to permit faculty athletes and recruits to revenue from actions like autograph signings, endorsements and private appearances so long as they’re according to any relevant state legislation the place the athlete’s faculty is situated. The rule will final till federal laws is adopted or the NCAA develops everlasting guidelines of its personal.
The Heisman Belief, which administers the trophy, known as Bush’s 2005 season “remarkable” however stated he stays ineligible for the trophy as a result of his on-field data are nonetheless vacated by the NCAA.
“I never cheated this game,” Bush tweeted earlier this month. “That was what they wanted you to think about me.”
In a new documentary, Bush stated he lastly opens up concerning the controversy. “After all these years I’m finally ready to tell my story, I hope this can help drive change with the next generation of student-athletes,” Bush stated in a press release. “We’re making some progress, but there’s still a long way to go.”
