Dear, Reggie Bush: Deliver a Real Heisman Trophy Apology

Reggie Bush just doesn't get it.

In a released statement on the day Bush surrendered his 2005 Heisman Trophy, the New Orleans Saints running back summed up his decision this way:

"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. Those are gifts that can never be taken away."

Really, Reggie?

How "heartbreaking" exactly could have the decision been when it was only a matter of time before the Heisman Trust took the award away? Is the shelf where you had the trophy going to get uncontrollably dusty now?

In speaking of "gifts that can never be taken away," Bush is avoiding any responsibility for the actions that put him here in the first place.

Bush is losing his Heisman Trophy because of his actions of "receiving improper benefits" in college.

Of course we don't exactly know what Bush's actions were because he has never met with investigators or admitted any wrongdoing.

Depending on which report you believe, if any, Bush may have received up to $300,000 in cash and gifts while at USC.

What is not up for debate is that the NCAA penalized USC to the extent of 30 lost scholarships, vacating 14 victories, and a two-year ban from postseason play largely due to Bush's actions—which means that the vast majority of student-athletes who do the right things are suffering due to your indiscretions, Reggie. 

The school has already returned its copy of his Heisman Trophy, but more importantly has removed all likenesses or traces of Bush from the campus. He is officially persona non grata at Southern Cal.

Yet according to USA Today, new athletic director Pat Haden commented, "It was a very noble thing for Reggie to do. ... Reggie was a fantastic football player, one of the most exciting players every. But by his own admission today, he made some mistakes."

"Noble?" Where did you get that, Pat?

If Bush ever wants to be noble, truly apologize, and move on from this mess, here is a real plan for a sincere act of contrition.

1. On national television, tell us exactly what you did that was inappropriate. The lawsuit filed by one of your marketing agents, Lloyd Lake, has been settled, and the NCAA has completed its investigation. There are no additional ramifications. What do you have to lose?

2. Don't just say you made mistakes. Apologize for cheating and breaking the rules that were in place. You weren't naive. You were wrong.

3. Use the offseason, at a bare minimum, to regularly speak to student-athletes about resisting the temptations of taking cash, gifts, and other inappropriate benefits.

4. Another part of Bush's statement indicated that he wanted to establish an educational program to assist college athletes and their families so they could “avoid some of the mistakes that I made.” If that's true, Bush not only needs to establish the program, but also fund it so that the program becomes a consistent viable force against benefit improprieties. I'm talking about Bush coughing up funding in the amount of several times the $300,000 that Bush is accused of accepting.

Bush has reportedly been generous in donating money to various humanitarian efforts, but for this Saint no cause should be more important than the one that has impacted him and his reputation most significantly.

Until Bush takes these steps, one returned piece of memorabilia or symbolic gesture doesn't mean squat. 

Thanks to the USA Today and Philadelphia Daily News for publishing segments of Reggie Bush's statement.