Legendary running back Reggie Bush files defamation lawsuit against NCAA

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Legendary college football running back Reggie Bush, through his counsel at McCathern, PLLC and Ben Crump Law, filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday stemming from a July 2021 statement.
 

"The lawsuit is based on the NCAA maliciously attacking his character through a completely false and highly offensive statement that was widely reported in the media and substantially and irreparably damaged his reputation," McCathern Law said in a press release.

Reggie Bush of the University of Southern California celebrates his touchdown against the University of Texas at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

"Specifically, on July 28, 2021, the NCAA, by and through its authorized spokesperson, falsely told reporters that because of Mr. Bush’s prior involvement in a ‘pay-for-play arrangement,’ the NCAA would not consider restoring his collegiate records that it vacated in 2010, which subsequently resulted in Mr. Bush having to return his Heisman Trophy [the first player in history to do so].

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"Within less than a day, this false statement was republished by no less than 20 different media organizations and circulated to readers around the world."

The statement in question came from the NCAA in 2021 in response to an inquiry regarding whether Bush’s records and participation would be restored after changes to name, image and likeness (NIL) rules. 

Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" analyst Reggie Bush prior to a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers