Something that hasn't happened in the 75-year history of the Heisman Trophy happened today when Reggie Bush announced that he is forfeiting his Heisman Trophy he won in 2005.
Many expected Bush to have his trophy taken away by the Heisman committee, but very few expected him to voluntarily give his Heisman away.
Bush may have did things in his past to merit this situation, but he deserves at least some respect for giving up the most hallowed trophy in all of college sports.
Here is a part of his statement regarding his forfeiting of the trophy:
"I would like to begin in this effort by turning a negative situation into a positive one by working with the Trustees to establish an educational program which will assist student-athletes and their families avoid some of the mistakes that I made. I am determined to view this event as an opportunity to help others and to advance the values and mission of the Heisman Trophy Trust."
Obviously Bush realizes that he made mistakes and that he needs to put this nightmare behind him and that the best way to do that is to own up to his mistakes.
Even though he is physically giving up the Heisman Trophy, you can't erase the memories of college football fans. He'll always be remembered as the winner that year.
It's like when the NCAA takes wins away from a program that is punished for certain violations. You may be able to erase those victories from the record books, but you can't erase the memories of thousands of fans.
Now the speculation will move to whether or not Vince Young will receive the vacated award. He came in a distant second to Bush in the voting that year.
There's no doubt about it that Young put up Heisman-like numbers that year. However, the award should remain vacant because Young didn't win the award the year that he was eligible.
If Young does win the award thanks to Bush's wrong doings then it could end up opening up a can of worms.
Even though he is physically giving up the Heisman Trophy, you can't erase the memories of college football fans. He'll always be remembered as the winner that year.
It's like when the NCAA takes wins away from a program that is punished for certain violations. You may be able to erase those victories from the record books, but you can't erase the memories of thousands of fans.
Now the speculation will move to whether or not Vince Young will receive the vacated award. He came in a distant second to Bush in the voting that year.
There's no doubt about it that Young put up Heisman-like numbers that year. However, the award should remain vacant because Young didn't win the award the year that he was eligible.
If Young does win the award thanks to Bush's wrong doings then it could end up opening up a can of worms.
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