New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush Takes High Road, Says He Will Return Heisman

“I want to thank everyone for their support throughout this tough time. This has been a hard decision for me today but I feel it's right. I hope that kids can look at me & use this story as an example.

"The key is to never allow your faults or mistakes define you, instead mature & grow from them to become better! I look forward to the future & winning more awards & championships here in New Orleans!” - Reggie Bush on Facebook

Who needs the Heisman when you have a Super Bowl ring?

Reggie Bush deprived the men of the Heisman Trust the pleasure of stripping him of college football's most prestigious honor by saying he would give the trophy back before they voted on the matter.

The New Orleans Saints star is the first player in history to return the honor.

Yes, that's right. Amazingly, O.J. Simpson is still in possession of his Heisman trophy.

Said Bush in a statement: "For the rest of my days, I will continue to strive to demonstrate through my actions and words that I was deserving of the confidence placed in me by the Heisman Trophy Trust.

"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." 

In a report posted on WWL.com, Bush said the decision was an agonizing one.

"While this decision is heart-breaking, I find solace in knowing that the award was made possible by the support and love of so many," Bush said. "Those are gifts that can never be taken away."

There is something egregiously wrong with a system that permits USC to rake in millions in profits off of a deal with Nike for Reggie Bush jersey sales while the athletes get nothing but a scholarship that does not cost the college a dime.

In the 1980s, I remember former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown railing against a corrupt NCAA system that allows schools to profit off of the on-the-field exploits of its college stars while the players  can not afford a hamburger or a plane ticket to fly home for a parent's funeral. 

Nevertheless, one has to admire Reggie Bush for taking the high road, displaying humility in spades.

Compare Bush's classy behavior to the defiant, self-destructive Roger Clemens.

As far as the Heisman Trust, have no doubt that they will have an impact on the local economy the next time they are in New Orleans.

Just ask the owners of any French Quarter gentleman's club.