Johnny Manziel to Boycott Heisman Trophy Ceremony Until Reggie Bush Gets Award Back

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel called for the NCAA to return the Heisman Trophy to former USC running back Reggie Bush on Saturday.

In a pair of posts on X, Manziel wrote that he will no longer attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony until and unless Bush gets his Heisman Trophy back:

Bush surrendered his Heisman Trophy in 2010 after an NCAA investigation determined that he and his family received improper benefits during his time as a player at USC, including cash, travel expenses and a home in San Diego.

Many regard Bush as one of the most electric players in college football history, and the best season of his collegiate career undoubtedly came in 2005.

Bush rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns on 200 carries, and averaged a remarkable 8.7 yards per carry. He also had 37 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns, and he returned a punt for a touchdown.

He was the runaway winner of the Heisman Trophy that year with only Texas quarterback Vince Young coming anywhere close.

Bush went on to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, and he enjoyed an 11-year NFL career with the Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, winning one Super Bowl in New Orleans.

However, Bush had to give up his Heisman Trophy five years after he won it, and multiple attempts to get it back have been rebuffed.

Back in 2021, a Supreme Court ruling decided that student-athletes would be allowed to profit off their name, image and likeness. The new NIL rules provided some hope that Bush would be welcomed back into the fold as a recognized Heisman winner and would get his hardware back.

Instead, the NCAA announced that the NIL rules would not have any bearing on retroactively reversing penalties.

Manziel, 31, took the college football world by storm during his time at Texas A&M, winning the Heisman as a freshman in 2012 when he threw for 3,706 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also rushing for 1,410 yards and 21 scores.

The Cleveland Browns took Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, but he never panned out, as he was out of the league after two seasons.

Still, Johnny Football is a celebrated figure in the history of college football, and his word could potentially carry some weight.

Based on how steadfast the NCAA has been in its stance on Bush, however, something significant will have to change in order for Bush to get back in good graces.