Reggie Bush Welcomed Back Into The Trojan Family

LOS ANGELES — USC President Carol L. Folt and Director of Athletics Mike Bohn today welcomed Reggie Bush back to the Trojan Family following Bush’s 10-year NCAA-mandated disassociation from USC, which concluded today.

In a letter to Bush today, President Carol L. Folt wrote, “I am pleased to inform you that all restrictions and prohibitions on your involvement in our athletics program are officially removed and you will be afforded the privileges and courtesies extended to all Trojan football alumni.”

USC Director of Athletics Mike Bohn said, “When I was hired to represent the Trojan Family as the Director of Athletics, I committed to listening and learning before leading. Throughout this process, one of the consistent themes that emerged from my discussions was how much Reggie Bush means to our former players, USC alumni, and fans everywhere. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Reggie and so many of his teammates, and I’m pleased his disassociation has ended so that we can welcome him back to our family. I’m confident that Reggie will use his incredible platform and influential voice to support and empower all of our student-athletes.”  

Said Bush:  “I’ve dreamed of this day for 10-plus years, and I’m excited to come home!” 

Bush is regarded as one of college football’s most dynamic performers. The three-year (2003-04-05) letterwinner at USC helped the Trojans to the 2003 and 2004 national championships and appearances in a pair of Rose Bowls and an Orange Bowl. He is a member of the Pac-12 All-Century Team.

Before some of his statistics were vacated, he ran for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, caught 95 passes for 1,301 yards and 13 scores, and returned 67 kickoffs for 1,523 yards with a TD and 44 punts for 559 yards with 3 TDs.  On USC’s career yardage lists, he is fourth in kickoff returns, sixth in punt returns, eighth in rushing and 24th in total offense. He had 11 100-yard rushing games in his career and averaged an NCAA record 7.3 career rushing yards per carry.  He produced touchdowns via rushing, receiving, kickoff returning, punt returning and passing in his career.

As a 2005 junior, he led the nation in all-purpose running and was fourth in rushing while running for 1,740 yards with 16 TDs and averaging 8.7 yards per carry. He had 908 rushing yards and 43 receptions in 2004.

Bush was the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints and played 11 years in the NFL with the Saints (2006-10), Miami Dolphins (2011-12), Detroit Lions (2013-14), San Francisco 49ers (2015) and Buffalo Bills (2016). He was a member of the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV championship team in 2010.  He finished his NFL career with 5,490 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, including a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, and also had 477 receptions with 18 TDs.  He was a 2008 All-Pro punt returner.

 The conclusion of Bush’s USC disassociation does not affect the Trojans’ 14 wins and 1 loss in 2004 and 2005 that were vacated by NCAA mandate, nor Bush’s vacated stats in those games. The status of Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy that he forfeited back to the Heisman Trophy Trust in 2010 remains unchanged at this time.

He currently serves as a college football studio analyst on FOX Sports and also contributes on FS1 daily studio shows. His 619 Charitable Foundation benefits the youth of his San Diego hometown.

O.J. Mayo Disassociation Also Ends

Former Trojan men’s basketball player O.J. Mayo’s 10-year disassociation from USC also ended today.

Mayo played his 2008 freshman season with USC, averaging 20.7 points and earning All-Pac-10 first team honors. He then entered the NBA Draft, where he was the No. 3 overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 13.8 points over eight seasons with the Grizzlies (2009-12, making the 2009 NBA All-Rookie first team), Dallas Mavericks (2013) and Milwaukee Bucks (2014-16) before playing in Puerto Rico, Taiwan and now China.