Michael Bush

Bush attended Louisville Male High School where he played quarterback his senior year after seeing action at defensive back, defensive end, linebacker, running back, safety, and wide receiver over his career. As a senior, he led the Bulldogs to the state championship game in Kentucky's highest class. In that showdown against future Louisville teammate Brian Brohm and the Trinity High School Shamrocks, Bush threw for 468 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 116 yards and another touchdown in a 59–56 loss. He also caught two passes for 24 yards, returned a punt and a kickoff, and made five tackles on defense.{{Cite web |last=Forde |first=Pat |date=August 18, 2005 |title=Pat Forde: Artists in residence |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/preview05/news/story?id=2137624 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Following a successful high school career, Bush became a highly sought after college recruit. He turned down offers from several more established programs (including Ohio State) to stay at home and attend the University of Louisville, largely because head coach Bobby Petrino promised the opportunity to play quarterback, his preferred position. As a true freshman, he was forced to play several positions in order to get on the field because Louisville's starting quarterback position was locked down by Stefan LeFors. Though he was not the starter, Bush was able to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games as a running back toward the end of the year against Houston and Cincinnati.{{Cite web |title=Houston at Louisville Box Score, November 22, 2003 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2003-11-22-louisville.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Louisville at Cincinnati Box Score, November 28, 2003 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2003-11-28-cincinnati.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

Meanwhile, Petrino had decided to recruit another star quarterback from the Louisville area: Brian Brohm of Trinity. Though Bush had played various positions his freshman year, he believed this arrangement to be temporary and still expected to be a quarterback in the long-term. The recruitment of Brohm, however, meant Bush would have to find another position. Much to Bush's chagrin, Petrino moved him to the running back position permanently.

In 2004, as a sophomore, Bush backed up Lionel Gates and Eric Shelton. He rushed for 734 yards and seven touchdowns and proved himself worthy of the starting role for next season.{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/michael-bush-1/gamelog/2004 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

Bush's breakout season came as a junior in 2005, as he rushed for 1,143 yards on 205 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, racked up a Big East-leading 23 rushing touchdowns, and was second in NCAA Division I-A in scoring to LenDale White.{{Cite web |title=2005 Big East Conference Leaders |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfbconferences/big-east/2005-leaders.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/michael-bush-1/gamelog/2005 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He was also widely considered to be a preseason candidate for the 2006 Heisman Trophy.{{Cite web |last=Forde |first=Pat |date=August 24, 2006 |title=Forde: Stiff-arming the competition |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2560105 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Though he could have left early for the NFL draft, Bush decided to return for his senior season.{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Will |date=January 13, 2006 |title=Michael Bush will return to Louisville for senior season |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/01/13/michael-bush-will-return-to-louisville-for-senior-season/31472071007/ |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Gainesville Sun |language=en-US}}

He came into the 2006 projected as one of the top 10 players for the 2007 NFL draft, and his season began successfully as expected. His first carry of the season was a 48-yard run for a touchdown in the Cardinals' annual rivalry game with Kentucky. He then scored two more touchdowns in the first half, and had carried for 128 yards when he was tackled by Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard during a routine rushing play in the third quarter and suffered a broken right tibia. The injury was so bad that ESPN announced before the end of the game that Bush would miss the remainder of the 2006 season.{{Cite web |last=Forde |first=Pat |date=September 4, 2006 |title=Louisville's star RB Bush breaks leg in season opener |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2572409 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The injury required the insertion of a steel rod and a second operation to facilitate the healing process.

Bush participated in 3 bowl games during his career as a Cardinal. The first was a GMAC Bowl loss to Miami University in which Bush ran for 33 yards on 9 attempts, behind Gates' 12 carries for 128 yards.{{Cite web |title=GMAC Bowl - Miami (OH) vs Louisville Box Score, December 18, 2003 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2003-12-18-louisville.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Bush fared better in the Liberty Bowl victory over Boise State with 12 carries for 96 yards, his best performance in a bowl game.{{Cite web |title=Liberty Bowl - Louisville vs Boise State Box Score, December 31, 2004 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2004-12-31-boise-state.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Bush finished his bowl career in the Gator Bowl with 94 yards on 16 carries against Virginia Tech.{{Cite web |title=Gator Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Louisville Box Score, January 2, 2006 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-02-louisville.html |access-date=September 9, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

Bush majored in sports administration at Louisville.{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush Biography |url=http://www.michaelbushonline.com/Michael-Bush-Biography.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423011853/http://www.michaelbushonline.com/Michael-Bush-Biography.php |archive-date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |publisher=Michael Bush Online}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1 3/8

| weight = 243

| dash =

| ten split =

| twenty split =

| shuttle =

| cone drill =

| vertical =

| broad ft =

| broad in =

| bench =

| arm span =

| hand span =

| wonderlic =

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=13098&DraftYear=2007 |title=2007 Draft Scout Michael Bush, Louisville NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=April 3, 2022}}

}}

Bush was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL draft in the fourth round with the 100th overall pick.{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} With his broken leg still hobbling him, he was declared Physically Unable to Perform for the entire 2007 season.{{Cite web |last=White |first=David |date=November 22, 2007 |title=RB Bush is odd man out rest of season |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/21/SP27TGP3I.DTL |access-date=August 3, 2012 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}

After a two-year hiatus, Bush finally returned to the football field in 2008. He was the Raiders' third string halfback but saw some action because of injuries to Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas. He made his NFL debut in Week 1. He got his first significant action in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs with 16 carriers for 90 yards in the 23–8 victory.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - September 14th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809140kan.htm |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was used in a limited role following Week 4 up until the regular season finale in Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the win, Bush rushed for 177 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns to help Oakland deny Tampa Bay a spot in the playoffs.{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2008 |title=Raiders end Bucs' season in Tampa Bay |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281228027 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229101403/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281228027 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

In the 2009 season, Bush saw more usage but continued to platoon the backfield with Fargas and McFadden.{{Cite web |title=2009 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2009.htm |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He appeared in all 16 games, started seven, and finished with 123 carries for 589 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushMi00/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In 2010, Bush solidified a role as the team's second running back, only behind McFadden.{{Cite web |title=2010 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2010.htm |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He rushed for 655 yards in 14 games, including eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushMi00/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Before the 2011 season, Bush agreed to a contract extension with the Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Corman |first=Rebecca |date=August 6, 2011 |title=RB Michael Bush Re-Signs with the Raiders |url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/RB-Michael-Bush-Re-Signs-with-the-Raiders/d33af21d-24a2-49f5-9f83-19e4f24668c3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212171446/https://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/RB-Michael-Bush-Re-Signs-with-the-Raiders/d33af21d-24a2-49f5-9f83-19e4f24668c3 |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |website=Oakland Raiders}} In Week 10, he started as running back against the San Diego Chargers in place of the injured McFadden. In that 24–17 victory, he gained a total of 242 yards from scrimmage, fourth most in Raiders history and eclipsing Bo Jackson's total for the most since the AFL/NFL merger.{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2011 |title=Carson Palmer tosses 2 touchdowns to Denarius Moore as Raiders edge Chargers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311110024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420120044/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311110024 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} Bush finished with 256 carries for 977 yards and seven rushing touchdowns to finish as the team's leading rusher.{{Cite web |title=2011 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2011.htm |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He carved out a role catching passes in the offense with 37 receptions for 418 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2012 |title=Michael Bush hopes for bigger role with Chicago Bears |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/michael-bush-hopes-for-bigger-role-with-chicago-bears-09000d5d82ae0758 |access-date=August 3, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Bush 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushMi00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Bush signed a four-year contract worth $14 million (with $7 million guaranteed) with the Chicago Bears on March 22, 2012.{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=March 22, 2012 |title=Bears sign free agent running back Michael Bush |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-bears-sign-free-agent-running-back-michael-bush-20120322,0,953338.story |access-date=March 22, 2012 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Bush replaced Matt Forte as halfback during minicamp while Forte was holding out over a contract dispute.{{Cite web |last=Warja |first=Bob |date=March 22, 2012 |title=Michael Bush Signs with Chicago Bears: Could It Signal Matt Forte Trade? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1115785-could-chicago-bears-signing-michael-bush-signal-a-trade-of-matt-forte |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} In his regular season debut as a Bear in 2012, Bush ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns as the Bears defeated the Indianapolis Colts 41–21.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=September 9, 2012 |title=Explosive Bears outduel Colts |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Explosive-Bears-outduel-Colts/fe5509a2-6877-4304-b4d7-4f66279b9724 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912020208/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Explosive-Bears-outduel-Colts/fe5509a2-6877-4304-b4d7-4f66279b9724 |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=September 10, 2012 |website=Chicago Bears}} After sustaining a rib injury, Bush was placed on injured reserve on December 18.{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2012 |title=Bears place Bush on IR with rib injury |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/chicago-bears-michael-bush-injured-reserve-rib-injury-121812 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310061949/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bears-place-bush-on-ir-with-rib-injury |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2012 |website=Fox Sports |agency=Associated Press}} Bush was also unofficially considered the emergency quarterback of the Bears, something which is related to his experience from high school.{{Cite web |last=Brackney |first=Bryan |date=July 3, 2009 |title=Player Of The Day: Michael Bush |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/211314-player-of-the-day-michael-bush |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} On March 10, 2014, the Bears released Bush.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=March 10, 2014 |title=Bears cut veteran RB Michael Bush |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-cut-veteran-RB-Michael-Bush/b26745ed-dc19-44c3-96ff-aa215aaf80b6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311070235/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-cut-veteran-RB-Michael-Bush/b26745ed-dc19-44c3-96ff-aa215aaf80b6 |archive-date=March 11, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2014 |publisher=Chicago Bears}}

Bush signed with the Arizona Cardinals on November 25, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=November 25, 2014 |title=Michael Bush signs with Cardinals |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/25/michael-bush-signs-with-cardinals/ |access-date=November 25, 2014 |website=Pro Football Talk}} He was released by the team on December 5, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Mike |date=December 5, 2014 |title=Cardinals activate Matt Shaughnessy, release Michael Bush |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/05/cardinals-activate-matt-shaughnessy-release-michael-bush/ |access-date=December 6, 2014 |website=Pro Football Talk}}

In 2015, Bush participated in the first NFL Veteran Combine, where he recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.91 seconds. Upon hearing the news, the former running back exclaimed: "You gotta be (expletive) me... 4.91? ... There you go, there goes my career."{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2015 |title=NFL to host inaugural Veteran Combine |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-to-host-inaugural-veteran-combine-0ap3000000478211 |access-date=March 22, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=March 22, 2015 |title=What we learned from the Veteran Combine |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/what-we-learned-from-the-veteran-combine-0ap3000000480641 |access-date=March 22, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=March 22, 2015 |title=Free-agent RB Michael Bush: There goes my career |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/free-agent-rb-michael-bush-there-goes-my-career-0ap3000000480628 |access-date=March 22, 2015 |website=NFL.com}}

;Rushing statistics

;Receiving statistics

Bush's wife Emily, an Australian, is the half-sister of National Basketball Association player Ben Simmons.{{Cite web |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Taffy |date=June 22, 2016 |title=Ben Simmons thinks he has it all planned out |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/enterprise-simmons160622/projected-top-draft-pick-ben-simmons-all-planned-out |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060818090124/http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_michael00.html Louisville Cardinals bio]

{{Raiders2007DraftPicks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bush, Michael}}

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Louisville, Kentucky

Category:American football running backs

Category:Louisville Cardinals football players

Category:Louisville Male High School alumni

Category:Oakland Raiders players

Category:Chicago Bears players

Category:Arizona Cardinals players

Category:1984 births