Reggie Bush plans to continue with defamation lawsuit vs. NCAA - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Reggie Bush is overjoyed to have his Heisman Trophy once again.

Now he wants his reputation back, as well.

The former USC tailback says the return of his Heisman is the biggest step yet in what he sees as his fight against the NCAA to restore his good name and his records from his incredible college football career. Bush pointedly said he «never cheated» during his three seasons with the Trojans.

«There was never a doubt in my mind that it would come,» Bush said. «Because I know the truth is on my side.»

Bush and his family celebrated the restoration of his Heisman honors Thursday during a news conference atop the venerable Coliseum, where Bush played for the Trojans before his 11-year NFL career. Bush and his three children held up the trophy together while his wife, mother and many other supporters cheered.

Bush praised the Heisman Trust for his reinstatement, but the former tailback and his attorneys made it clear their fight against the NCAA has not ended. Bush indicated he doesn't plan to drop his defamation lawsuit filed last year against the NCAA over the governing body's 2021 characterization of the circumstances that led to Bush's troubles.

«It was more of being labeled a cheater,» Bush said. «The trophy… being taken away from me [was painful], but being labeled a cheater was far worse, because I've never cheated, and there's no proof of that, that I've cheated.»

Bush won the Heisman in 2005, but he forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with massive sanctions partly related to Bush's dealings with two aspiring sports marketers. The Heisman Trust restored the honor and returned the trophy to Bush in Jacksonville, Florida, on Wednesday, citing fundamental changes in the structure of college