Reggie Bush

{{Short description|American football player (born 1985)}}

{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name =

| image = Reggie Bush by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| caption = Bush in 2023

| number = 25, 22, 21, 23

| position = Running back

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|3|2|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Spring Valley, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 205

| high_school = Helix (La Mesa, California)

| college = USC (2003–2005)

| draftyear = 2006

| draftround = 1

| draftpick = 2

| pastteams =

| status =

| highlights =

| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts

| statvalue1 = 1,286

| statlabel2 = Rushing yards

| statvalue2 = 5,490

| statlabel3 = Receptions

| statvalue3 = 477

| statlabel4 = Receiving yards

| statvalue4 = 3,598

| statlabel5 = Return yards

| statvalue5 = 929

| statlabel6 = Total touchdowns

| statvalue6 = 58

| pfr = B/BushRe00

| CollegeHOF = 2504

}}

Reginald Alfred Bush II (born March 2, 1985) is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors twice and winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy. Bush is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time.{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2020 |title=The 150 greatest players in college football's 150-year history |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/cfb150players/the-150-greatest-players-college-football-150-year-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114065230/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/cfb150players/the-150-greatest-players-college-football-150-year-history |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |title=Top 10 college football players of all time ranked – and why Cam Newton is No. 1 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/rj-young-heisman-trophy-greatest-cfb-players-ever-cam-newton-reggie-bush-vince-young |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} He was selected by the New Orleans Saints second overall in the 2006 NFL draft. Bush was named an All-Pro punt returner in 2008 and helped the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers before retiring from professional football in 2017.{{Cite magazine |last=Carroll |first=Charlotte |date=December 16, 2017 |title=RB Reggie Bush officially retires |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/12/16/reggie-bush-retirement |access-date=May 3, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}} Bush later worked as a college football analyst for Fox Sports.

Allegations that he received improper benefits with USC in 2004 were central to an NCAA investigation of the USC football program that led to severe sanctions against the school, including a two-year postseason ban and the vacating of the 2004 national championship. Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 amid the scandal, but it was reinstated 14 years later amid NCAA rule changes.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Erick |date=September 14, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush announces he is giving back his Heisman Trophy |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/09/reggie-bush-announces-he-is-returing-his-heisman-trophy/1 |access-date=September 14, 2010 |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027221315/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/09/reggie-bush-announces-he-is-returing-his-heisman-trophy/1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Pennington |first=Bill |date=September 14, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush, Ineligible for '05, Returns Heisman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/sports/ncaafootball/15heisman.html |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Heisman Trophy being returned to Bush, USC |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40014492/reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-returned |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Early life

Bush was born in 1985 in Spring Valley in San Diego County, California,{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00.htm |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828224214/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Maffei |first=John |date=August 15, 2014 |title=Reggie Bush rushed to football fame |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/the-52/sdut-52-reggie-bush-helix-usc-2014aug15-story.html |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703192244/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/the-52/sdut-52-reggie-bush-helix-usc-2014aug15-story.html |url-status=live }} and named after his biological father, Reginald Sr.{{Cite news |last=Schrotenboer |first=Brent |date=December 8, 2005 |title=Trophy hopeful Bush from humble beginnings, tries to stay that way |work=U-T San Diego |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20051208-9999-1s8reggie.html |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017230519/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20051208-9999-1s8reggie.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/reggiebush/2506874/profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502084712/http://www.nfl.com/player/reggiebush/2506874/profile |url-status=live }} He was a running back at Helix High School in La Mesa, California. While at Helix, he played with 2004 Heisman Trophy finalist and first overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft Alex Smith.{{Cite news |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |date=December 10, 2004 |title=Former High School Teammates Reuniting as Heisman Finalists |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/sports/ncaafootball/former-high-school-teammates-reuniting-as-heisman.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104735/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/sports/ncaafootball/former-high-school-teammates-reuniting-as-heisman.html |url-status=live }} During his prep career with the Helix Highlanders, he won the prestigious Silver Pigskin trophy awarded by KUSI's Prep Pigskin Report. Smith and Bush were later finalists for the 2004 Heisman, making it the first time a high school had two finalists at the same ceremony. He played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.{{Cite news |title=The U.S. Army All-American Bowl |work=army.mil |url=https://www.army.mil/article/50085/the_us_army_all_american_bowl |access-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314050319/https://www.army.mil/article/50085/the_us_army_all_american_bowl |url-status=live }}

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Bush was listed as the No. 1 running back in the nation in 2003.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush, 2003 Running Back - Rivals.com |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2003/reggie-bush-235 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403100540/https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2003/reggie-bush-235 |url-status=live }}

Bush was also a track star at Helix, placing second (10.72) -1.7m in the 2002 CIF California State Meet 100 meters final and posting bests of 10.42 seconds in the 100 meters (both the fastest prep time in the state and among the nation's senior football players) and 21.06 seconds in the 200 meters (third fastest prep in California in 2002). Bush is still 3rd all-time on the 100m dash list for San Diego.{{as of?|date=December 2023}}{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} He placed second in the boys' 50 meters, clocking at 5.85 at the 2003 Los Angeles Invitational Indoor Meet.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

College career

File:ReggieBush2005.jpg in 2005]]

Bush received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Southern California, where he played for the Trojans from 2003 to 2005 under head coach Pete Carroll.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104424/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} When Carroll recruited Bush he envisioned using him as a five-way threat.{{clarify|date=February 2015}} The freshman quickly proved effective in carrying, catching, throwing, and returning the ball. Bush was a consensus first-team Freshman All-American selection in 2003, and became the first Trojan since Anthony Davis in 1974 to lead the Pacific-10 Conference in kickoff returns. His 1,331 all-purpose yards set a USC freshman record. The ESPN Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year also amassed 521 yards rushing that year, with three touchdowns on 91 carries.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043532/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2003/ |url-status=live }}

University of Utah quarterback Alex Smith and Bush were both finalists for the 2004 Heisman Trophy, making it the first time a high school had two finalists at the same ceremony.{{Cite web |title=2004 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2004.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184623/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2004.html |url-status=live }} In 2004, Bush finished fifth in the Heisman voting and was named the team's MVP. He earned consensus All-American honors and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.{{Cite web |title=Consensus All-America Teams (2000–2009) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2004 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104357/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/all-america-2000-2009.html#2004 |url-status=live }} He finished second on the team with 143 carries for 908 yards (6.3 avg) and six touchdowns, adding 509 yards and seven scores on 43 receptions (11.8 avg). Bush returned 21 kickoffs for 537 yards (25.6 avg) and 24 punts for 376 yards (15.7 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. He became the first Trojan since Marcus Allen to lead the Pac-10 in all-purpose yardage, totaling 2,330 yards. He also threw for one touchdown, tossing a 52-yard scoring strike.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush Draft Profile |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/draft/prospect?contentId=5535266 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516204753/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/draft/prospect?contentId=5535266 |archive-date=May 16, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=Fox Sports}}{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043537/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2004/ |url-status=live }}

In 2005, Bush was a unanimous first-team All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy.{{Cite web |title=2005 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2005.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409073802/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2005.html |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference}} He was also named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Offensive Player of the Year, and the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio) Player of the Year.{{Cite web |title=AP Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/ap-poy.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043553/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/ap-poy.html |url-status=live }} In addition to the Walter Camp Award, Bush also won the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation's best running back.{{Cite web |title=Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510062528/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310051958/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |url-status=live }} He led the nation with an average of 222.3 all-purpose yards per game and finished fourth in the NCAA Division I-A ranks with an average of 133.85 rushing yards per game. He set the Pac-10 record for all-purpose yards in a game, with 513 (294 rushing, 68 receiving, 151 return) against the Fresno State Bulldogs on November 19, 2005. Bush also became known for the "Bush Push," which occurred on a game-winning score against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Bush led the Trojans with 1,740 yards on 200 carries (8.7 avg) with 16 touchdowns and ranked third on the squad with 39 receptions for 481 yards (12.9 avg), including a pair of scores as a junior. He returned 18 punts for 179 yards (9.9 avg) and a touchdown, and gained 493 yards on 28 kickoff returns (17.6 avg).{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043605/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=2005 USC Trojans Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2005.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310163919/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/2005.html |url-status=live }}

Bush started only 14 times in 39 games at USC. However, he finished tenth in NCAA Division I-A history with 6,541 all-purpose yards, racking up 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns on 433 carries (7.3 avg) and 1,301 yards with 13 scores on 95 catches (13.7 avg). Bush returned 67 kickoffs for 1,522 yards and a touchdown, adding 559 yards and three scores on 44 punt returns (12.7 avg). He also completed one of three pass attempts for a 52-yard touchdown.

=Legacy=

By the end of the 2005 season, Bush had amassed 2,611 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns (15 rushing, two receiving, one punt return).{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829164413/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1/gamelog/2005 |url-status=live }} He was awarded the Heisman Trophy on December 10, 2005. He had 784 first-place votes while University of Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young finished second with 79 first-place votes, an overall edge in voting points of 2,541 to Young's 1,608. Teammate Matt Leinart came in third with 18 first-place votes. Bush had the second most first-place votes and the second-highest total points in the history of Heisman voting at that time, behind only O. J. Simpson's 855 in 1968.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2005 |title=USC's Bush wins Heisman by monumental margin |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2255184 |access-date=August 28, 2006 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=June 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626040048/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2255184 |url-status=live }} Bush became the 71st winner of the Heisman Trophy, and the seventh USC player to receive the award. In addition to his Heisman Trophy, Bush also won the Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award, and was selected as the Pac-10's offensive player of the year.{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106160709/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/walker.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510062528/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/camp-poy.html |url-status=live }}

On January 4, 2006, Bush and Leinart became the first pair of Heisman Trophy winners to play together for the same team in a single game, against the Longhorns in the Rose Bowl. Bush amassed a total of 279 all-purpose yards (82 rushing yards, 95 receiving yards, 102 kickoff return yards) and one touchdown, but he was overshadowed in a losing effort by Heisman runner-up Vince Young and Bush's teammate LenDale White, who led USC in rushing with 123 yards and three touchdowns. Bush also attempted to lateral when he was tackled after a long run in the second quarter, but the lateral fell to the ground and was recovered by the Longhorns.{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl – Texas at USC Box Score, January 4, 2006 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-04-southern-california.html |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175800/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2006-01-04-southern-california.html |url-status=live }} This game gave Bush a total of 6,890 all-purpose yards for his college career.

=NCAA scandal=

{{Main|University of Southern California athletics scandal}}

==NCAA investigation and sanctions (2006–2010)==

In 2006, reports surfaced raising questions about whether Bush's family received gifts in violation of NCAA policies.{{Cite web |last1=Schrotenboer |first1=Brent |last2=Trotter |first2=Jim |date=April 23, 2006 |title=Reggie Bush's parents face questions about home |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20060423-0857-fbc-bcsmeetings.html |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=U-T San Diego |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917174220/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20060423-0857-fbc-bcsmeetings.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Charles |last2=Cole |first2=Jason |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Cash and carry |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-bushprobe |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209172941/http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-bushprobe |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Farmer |first1=Sam |last2=Wharton |first2=David |date=September 23, 2006 |title=After Carroll Reaches Out, Upshaw Seeks Agent Solution |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-sep-23-sp-upshaw23-story.html |access-date=September 17, 2014 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118025929/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/23/sports/sp-upshaw23 |url-status=live }} The school requested that the conference investigate the matter, and Bush denied any impropriety.

Sports agent Lloyd Lake sued Bush and his family in November 2007 in an effort to recoup $291,600 in cash and gifts. Lake also agreed to cooperate with the NCAA.{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2007 |title=Bush, family sued by sports marketer for nearly $300,000 in cash, gifts |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3087571 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414085443/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3087571 |url-status=live }} In April 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that the NCAA had merged its investigations of Bush and former USC basketball player O. J. Mayo into a single probe of the Trojans athletic programs.{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |date=April 9, 2009 |title=NCAA probes USC program |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-09-sp-ncaa-usc9-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184745/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-09-sp-ncaa-usc9-story.html |url-status=live }} On December 28, 2009, it was announced that Bush had lost his bid for confidential arbitration in this matter and that the case would proceed to trial.{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Suit vs. Bush to proceed in court |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=4777630 |access-date=January 9, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=January 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101163640/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=4777630 |url-status=live }} The case was settled in April 2010.{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush reaches settlement in civil suit |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-21-la-sp-0422-newswire-20100422-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184658/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-21-la-sp-0422-newswire-20100422-story.html |url-status=live }}

On June 10, 2010, the NCAA announced major sanctions against USC. The NCAA found that Bush had received lavish gifts from Lake and his partner, Michael Michaels, from at least December 2004 onward, including a limousine ride to the 2005 Heisman Trophy presentation. As a result, USC was given four years of probation and forced to vacate its last two wins of the 2004 season – including the 2005 Orange Bowl – as well as all of its wins in the 2005 season. The Trojans were also banned from bowl games in 2010 and 2011 and lost 30 scholarships over three years. Running backs coach Todd McNair was banned from off-campus recruiting for one year after the NCAA determined he had known about Bush's dealings with the agents. McNair sued the NCAA for damages related to his dismissal and the NCAA lost. The judge in the case found the NCAA conducted the USC investigation and that of McNair with "malice".{{Cite web |last=McCartney |first=Anthony |date=November 21, 2012 |title=Judge says NCAA 'malicious' in USC investigation |url=http://collegefootball.ap.org/content/judge-says-ncaa-malicious-usc-investigation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007202516/http://collegefootball.ap.org/content/judge-says-ncaa-malicious-usc-investigation |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |publisher=Associated Press}} The NCAA also forced USC to disassociate itself from Bush for 10 years.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2010 |title=USC punished with two-year postseason ban |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5272615 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190237/http://www.espn.com/ncf/news/story?id=5272615 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=NCAA infraction report |url=http://assets.espn.go.com/preview/100610/espn_uscpenalties.pdf |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205163308/http://assets.espn.go.com/preview/100610/espn_uscpenalties.pdf |url-status=dead }}

The NCAA determined that, given Bush's high-profile status, USC should have invested more effort in monitoring Bush's relationships. In announcing the penalties, NCAA infractions committee chairman Paul Dee said, "High-profile players merit high-profile enforcement."Mandel, Stewart. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/10/usc.penalties/index.html With harsh USC penalties, NCAA sends warning to all elite programs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612222606/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/10/usc.penalties/index.html |date=June 12, 2010 }}. Sports Illustrated, June 10, 2010.

==USC begins ten-year dissociation and Bush vacates Heisman Trophy (2010–2020)==

On July 20, 2010, incoming USC president Max Nikias said the school would remove from its facilities all jerseys and murals displayed in Bush's honor, and would return the school's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy.{{Cite web |last=Hiserman |first=Mike |date=July 20, 2010 |title=USC to send back its Reggie Bush Heisman |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/usc-to-return-reggie-bushs-heisman.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184427/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/usc-to-return-reggie-bushs-heisman.html |url-status=live }} On August 12, USA Today reported that Bush had called USC's new athletic director, Pat Haden, and apologized for making poor decisions that led to the NCAA sanctions.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=David Leon |title=USC AD Pat Haden gets apology from Reggie Bush |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2010-08-12-reggie-bush-apology_N.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=USA Today |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107080326/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/pac10/2010-08-12-reggie-bush-apology_N.htm |url-status=live }} However, in a subsequent report in the Los Angeles Times, Haden said the characterization of Bush's call as an "apology" was incorrect; Haden described it as "a conversation of him being contrite, but not an apology", and he also noted that Bush had not admitted to any specific wrongful acts.{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=August 14, 2010 |title=Haden gets call, but no apology, from Bush |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-aug-13-la-sp-0814-reggie-bush-usc-20100814-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921183657/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-aug-13-la-sp-0814-reggie-bush-usc-20100814-story.html |url-status=live }}

Amidst reports that the Heisman Trophy Trust would strip his award,{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2010 |title=Heisman Trust leader denies decision to revoke Bush's trophy |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/heisman-trust-leader-denies-decision-to-revoke-bush-s-trophy-09000d5d81a536d9 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909180328/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a536d9/article/heisman-trust-leader-denies-decision-to-revoke-bushs-trophy |url-status=live }} Bush in September voluntarily forfeited his title as the 2005 winner. The Heisman Trust decided to leave the award vacated with no new winner to be announced, although it is speculated by Bush and others that the NCAA offered the award to both Vince Young and Matt Leinart, something that Bush said Vince Young confirmed to him.{{Cite news |last=Markazi |first=Arash |date=September 16, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush's Heisman to stay vacated |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5576729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110131236/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5576729 |archive-date=January 10, 2016}}{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Pat McAfee reacts to the NCAA trying to give Reggie Bush's Heisman away |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HJAXOjOOlKg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/HJAXOjOOlKg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=The Pat McAfee Show}}{{cbignore}} The San Diego Hall of Champions sports museum returned the copy of the award it possessed back to Bush's parents in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Andrew |date=July 19, 2011 |title=Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy reportedly returned to Bush family |url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/reggie_bushs_heisman_trophy_re.html |access-date=July 19, 2011 |publisher=nola.com |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720204227/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/07/reggie_bushs_heisman_trophy_re.html |url-status=live }} Bush eventually returned his trophy to the Heisman Trust in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Moura |first=Pedro |date=August 15, 2012 |title=Former USC RB Bush returned his '05 Heisman |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story?id=8272932&_slug_=former-usc-trojans-running-back-reggie-bush-returned-2005-heisman-trophy |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002103625/http://www.espn.com/ncf/story/_/id/8272932/former-usc-trojans-running-back-reggie-bush-returned-2005-heisman-trophy |url-status=live }}

In a May 2020 interview with The Athletic, Bush said the sanctions against USC due to his conduct was "one of the worst feelings in the world" and that the sanctions "felt like I died when I had to hear that there weren't gonna be scholarships for kids because of me or because of something connected to me... I'm still not over that. It's just something you learn to live with."{{Cite web |last=Feldman |first=Bruce |date=May 10, 2020 |title=Reggie Bush looks back on his college career through the lens of NCAA rules changes |url=https://theathletic.com/1798818/2020/05/10/reggie-bush-usc-football-ncaa-rules-changes-name-image-likeness-value/ |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=The Athletic |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015233644/https://theathletic.com/1798818/2020/05/10/reggie-bush-usc-football-ncaa-rules-changes-name-image-likeness-value/ |url-status=live }}

==Heisman Trophy reinstatement campaign and success (2020–2024)==

On June 9, 2020, USC announced they would be ending their disassociation with Bush following the conclusion of the NCAA's mandated 10-year span.{{Cite web |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=June 9, 2020 |title=USC Expected to end Reggie Bush disassociation |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29289915/sources-usc-expected-end-reggie-bush-disassociation-school |access-date=June 9, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610014840/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29289915/sources-usc-expected-end-reggie-bush-disassociation-school |url-status=live }} After the NCAA ruled to allow players to make money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) on June 30, 2021,{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-nil-rules.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/30/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-nil-rules.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |title=College Athletes May Earn Money From Their Fame, N.C.A.A. Rules |work=The New York Times |last=Blinder |first=Alan |date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} Bush began advocating for the reinstatement of his Heisman Trophy and USC records. He reached out to the NCAA and the Heisman Trust president Michael Comerford, but received a call from Rob Whalen, the executive director stating that Comerford would not be corresponding with them.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/07/01/reggie-bush-wants-heisman-trophy-back-ncaas-nil-laws |title=Reggie Bush Wants Heisman Trophy Back Under NCAA's New NIL Rules |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Jackson |first=Wilton |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731004523/https://www.si.com/college/2021/07/01/reggie-bush-wants-heisman-trophy-back-ncaas-nil-laws }} On July 2, the Heisman Trust issued a statement saying that the award would be returned to Bush if the NCAA reinstated his 2005 status at USC.{{Cite web |last=Henning |first=Tim |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Statement from the Heisman Trophy Trust |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/statement-from-the-heisman-trophy-trust-july-2-2021/ |access-date=October 3, 2023}} On July 28, a statement issued by the NCAA said that no previous infractions would be re-evaluated, as the updated NIL rules continued to prohibit "pay-for-play type arrangements."{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2021 |title=NCAA won't re-evaluate penalties for Bush, other cases |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-southern-california-trojans-football-9c072b7100fe4f59ad5bf3aa9732f359 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=AP News}}{{Cite web |last1=Lev |first1=Jacob |last2=Almasy |first2=Steve |date=July 28, 2021 |title=NCAA stance means Reggie Bush won't get Heisman Trophy back |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/us/reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-spt/index.html |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=CNN}}

In April 2023, billboards began to appear in the Los Angeles area demanding the return of Bush's Heisman.{{Cite web |last=Kartje |first=Ryan |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Who is behind all those billboards demanding return of Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2023-04-26/billboards-reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-usc-football-ncaa |access-date=April 26, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125041243/https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2023-04-26/billboards-reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-usc-football-ncaa |url-status=live }} On August 14, 2023, attorneys representing USC and Bush submitted a petition to the NCAA Committee on Infractions, asking them to review their 2010 case and reconsider their decision.{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2023 |title=PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC INFRACTIONS REPORT (JUNE 10, 2010) |url=https://mccathernlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-08-14-USC-RB-Petition-for-Reconsideration-of-the-2010-Report.pdf |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=mccathernlaw.com}} On August 23, Bush announced that he was filing a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges that their use of the phrase "pay-for-play" in their July 2021 statement was a false claim directed at him that, consequently, damaged his reputation.{{Cite web |last=Mossburg |first=Cheri |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Former USC star Reggie Bush files defamation suit against NCAA, wants Heisman Trophy back |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/23/us/reggie-bush-ncaa-lawsuit-heisman-spt/index.html |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=CNN}} The purpose of this lawsuit was to help him achieve his goal of reacquiring his trophy.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Former USC star, Helix High standout Reggie Bush plans defamation lawsuit against NCAA |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2023/08/23/former-usc-star-reggie-bush-plans-defamation-lawsuit-against-ncaa |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}} Former Heisman winners Eddie George and Johnny Manziel voiced their support of Bush, with the latter announcing that he would boycott all future Heisman ceremonies until Bush would be allowed to stand on stage with him.{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Eddie George backs Johnny Manziel's efforts to help Reggie Bush get his Heisman back |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/eddie-george-backs-johnny-manziels-efforts-to-help-reggie-bush-get-his-heisman-back |access-date=April 26, 2025 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

On April 24, 2024, the Heisman Trust announced it would return the Heisman Trophy to Bush, citing "enormous changes in the college football landscape". Among the changes cited, were changes to the NCAA's NIL payment policy and the U.S. Supreme Court's 2021 decision that questioned the legality of the NCAA's amateurism model.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/heisman-reggie-bush-5ec9ed713534ca1081a0777b699d0385|title=Reggie Bush is reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with organizers citing NIL rule changes|publisher=Associated Press|date=April 24, 2024|accessdate=April 24, 2024}} USC also restored Bush's banner at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and retired his number alongside the school's other Heisman winners.{{cite magazine|last=Phillips|first=Ryan|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/usc-brings-back-reggie-bush-number-coliseum|title=USC Brings Back Reggie Bush's Prestigious Honor at Coliseum|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=September 5, 2024|access-date=September 5, 2024}}

=Awards and recognition=

  • Awarded the 2005 Walter Camp Award{{Cite web |title=Awards |publisher=Walter Camp Football Foundation |url=http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/ |website=WalterCamp.org |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525021451/http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards |url-status=live }} and the 2005 Doak Walker Award.{{Cite web |title=Doak Walker Award |url=http://smu.edu/doakwalker/doak_recipients.asp |website=SMU.edu| publisher= Southern Methodist University |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110915040856/http://smu.edu/doakwalker/doak_recipients.asp |archive-date=September 15, 2011 |access-date= September 20, 2010}}
  • Won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, beating finalists Vince Young and 2004 Heisman winner and teammate Matt Leinart.{{cite web| url= http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-bush05.html | title= 2005 – 71st Award: Reggie Bush: USC Back| website= heisman.com| publisher= CSTV Networks| date= | access-date= March 25, 2022| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081113142326/http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-bush05.html| archivedate= November 13, 2008}} After an NCAA investigation in 2010 ruled he was ineligible to participate as a student-athlete at USC, Bush became the first player in the history of the Heisman Trophy to forfeit the award.{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Nakia |date=September 15, 2010 |title=New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush first player to forfeit Heisman Trophy |url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/09/saints_bush_decides_to_give_ba.html |website=NOLA.com |agency=Associated Press |publisher= |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918023446/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/09/saints_bush_decides_to_give_ba.html |url-status=live }} The Heisman Trust reinstated Bush's award in 2024.
  • Also in 2005, he was named The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Offensive Player of the Year.{{Cite web |title=Player Bio: Reggie Bush |website= usctrojans.cstv.com |publisher= University of Southern California Official Athletic Site |url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_reggie00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526033759/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_reggie00.html |archive-date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2010}}
  • In celebration of their stellar college football careers, Bush and Leinart appeared on the cover of the December 25, 2005, issue of Sports Illustrated. The magazine anointed the pair as the "Best in College Football" in 2005.
  • Bush was the 17th player in NCAA history to gain over 2,000 all-purpose yards twice (2,330 yards in 2004 and 2,890 yards in 2005).
  • He was featured on the cover of NCAA Football 2007,{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2006 |title=EA Drafts Heisman Trophy Winner Reggie Bush as Cover Athlete |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball07/news.html?sid=6148575 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=GameStop |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929224508/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball07/news.html?sid=6148575 |url-status=live }} released on July 18, 2006.
  • He was ranked No. 24 on ESPN's 25 Greatest Players in College Football list.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2008 |title=25 Greatest Players in College Football |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3086827 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913201435/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3086827 |url-status=live }}

=College statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Season

! rowspan="2"| Team

! rowspan="2"| GP

! colspan="4"| Rushing

! colspan="4"| Receiving

! colspan="4"| Kick Returns

! colspan="4"| Punt Returns

AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTDRetYdsAvgTDRetYdsAvgTD
2003 || USC Trojans

| 13 || 90 || 521 || 5.8 || 3 || 15 || 314 || 20.9 || 4 || 18 || 492 || 27.3 || 1 || 2 || 4 || 2.0 || 0

2004 || USC Trojans

| 13 || 143 || 908 || 6.3 || 6 || 43 || 509 || 11.8 || 7 || 21 || 537 || 25.6 || 0 || 24 || 376 || 15.7 || 2

2005 || USC Trojans

| 13 || 200 || 1,740 || 8.7 || 16 || 37 || 478 || 12.9 || 2 || 28 || 493 || 17.6 || 0 || 18 || 179 || 9.9 || 1

colspan="2"|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/reggie-bush-1.html Total] || 39 || 433 || 3,169 || 7.3 || 25 || 95 || 1,301 || 13.7 || 13 || 67 || 1522 || 22.7 || 1 || 44 || 559 || 12.7 || 3

Professional career

On January 12, 2006, Bush elected to forgo his senior season at USC and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Bush's on field performances made him a contender for the top pick in the 2006 NFL draft, and he also made an impressive appearance at USC's highly publicized post-season pro day showcase,{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Gary |date=April 1, 2009 |title=Nothing compared to USC's 2006 Pro Day |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/04/nothing-compared-to-uscs-2006-pro-day.html |access-date=June 24, 2015 |website=Los Angeles Times |quote=USC's 2006 event [was] regarded throughout the college and pro football worlds as the pro day to end all pro days. Back then, pro day was open to the public. So a huge crowd showed up to catch a glimpse of Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart . . . and others. |archive-date=June 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625194836/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/04/nothing-compared-to-uscs-2006-pro-day.html |url-status=live }} where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds.{{Cite web |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=April 3, 2006 |title=Showcase Is a Mixed Bag at USC |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-03-sp-uscpro3-story.html |access-date=June 24, 2015 |website=Los Angeles Times |quote=Bush, meanwhile, ran the 40-yard dash in a sizzling 4.33 seconds – he said he was hoping for an even better time – and had a vertical jump of 40 1/2 inches. Not surprisingly, both were the best performances of the day. 'I think I proved I should be the No. 1 pick,' he said. |archive-date=June 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625200110/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/apr/03/sports/sp-uscpro3 |url-status=live }} Draft analysts predicted that he would be the first overall pick in the draft, a pick held by the Houston Texans. However, in a surprising move on the night before the draft, the Texans signed Mario Williams, a defensive end from North Carolina State University, meaning that Bush would not be the first draft pick.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2006 |title=Texans ink DE Williams, to draft him No. 1 |url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/HOU/9404220 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615093236/http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/HOU/9404220 |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=NFL.com}} Bush's representatives spoke that night with the New Orleans Saints, who said they intended to use the second overall pick to select Bush.

Bush was indeed drafted by the Saints with the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/draft.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103045630/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/draft.htm |url-status=live }} The Houston Texans' decision to not take Bush was derided by many sports analysts. At the time, ESPN commentator Len Pasquarelli claimed that Houston selecting Williams ahead of Bush was one of the biggest mistakes made in NFL Draft history.{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=April 28, 2006 |title=Snubbing Bush a Texans-size blunder |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft06/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2426087 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=May 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505015433/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2426087 |url-status=live }}

On April 26, 2006, three days prior to the draft, Bush had signed a multi-year endorsement with Adidas to promote football and training clothes, and help the athletic sportswear company launch cleats in 2007.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2006 |title=Reggie Bush signs deal with Adidas |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/news_story.asp?ID=163971 |access-date=July 21, 2006 |website=TSN.ca |agency=Associated Press}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 10 7/8

| weight = 201

| dash = 4.33{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL Combine Results |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/year/2006 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023181804/http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/year/2006 |url-status=live }}

| vertical = 40.5

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 8

| bench = 24

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 30 1/4

| hand span = 9 3/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/reggie-bush/32004255-5329-4963-759f-6c9f33852cc2 |title=Reggie Bush Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=15653&DraftYear=2006 |title=Reggie Bush College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=December 17, 2024}}

}}

=New Orleans Saints=

==2006 season==

Bush's selection by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL Draft generated excitement and celebration among Saints fans. By the end of the week after the draft, Reebok reported receiving over 15,000 orders for Bush's Saints jersey, even though his jersey number with the Saints had not yet been determined.{{Cite news |last=Halliburton |first=Suzanne |date=May 18, 2006 |title=Football rookies make a big impact on fans |work=Oxford Press |url=http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/content/shared/sports/stories/FBN_ROOKIE_JERSEYS_0518_COX.html |access-date=July 21, 2006}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Bush had petitioned the NFL to wear the number 5, which he has worn throughout his high school and college careers. However, in order for him to wear that number, the NFL would have to revise its numbering regulations, which require running backs to wear a number between 20 and 49. Bush was allowed to wear the number 5 during the Saints' minicamp practices pending the NFL's ruling. On May 23, 2006, the NFL competition committee officially rejected his request, and on May 25 it was officially announced that Bush would be wearing number 25, acquired from Saints running back Fred McAfee. Although Bush had earlier pledged to donate a quarter of the money he received from jersey sales to Hurricane Katrina victims if allowed to wear the number 5, he later said he would make that donation no matter what number he wears.{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2006 |title=Reggie Bush won't get his No. 5 this year |work=Yahoo! Sports |agency=Associated Press |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ag3ykYuAhAY_z4WGvLaQDuhDubYF?slug=ap-saints-bush-number&prov=ap&type=lgns |url-status=dead |access-date=July 21, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050812235932/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news |archive-date=August 12, 2005}} As part of the deal with McAfee to wear the number 25, Bush agreed to allocate half the money to charities of McAfee's choosing, the other half going to charities of Bush's choosing. McAfee pledged to donate his share to Katrina victims in his home state of Mississippi.{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2006 |title=Saints rookie Reggie Bush inherits McAfee's jersey number |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/nfl/id/2458425 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043333/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/nfl/id/2458425 |url-status=live }}

Bush was second to Peyton Manning in NFL endorsement deals, amounting to roughly US$5 million annually.{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Tom |date=February 8, 2010 |title=Saints notebook: Reggie Bush calls NFL career so far 'humbling' |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/saints-notebook-reggie-bush-calls-nfl-career-far-humbling/WQbjF1YOXoAXh0aBJ3q54J/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=The Palm Beach Post |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043228/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/saints-notebook-reggie-bush-calls-nfl-career-far-humbling/WQbjF1YOXoAXh0aBJ3q54J/ |url-status=live }} He signed contracts with Pepsi, General Motors, Adidas, Pizza Hut and the Subway restaurant chain.

Amazed by the warm reception he received from the fans in New Orleans as well as the magnitude of the devastation caused there by Hurricane Katrina, Bush expressed excitement about playing with the Saints and pledged to help the city recover from the hurricane. On May 15, 2006, Bush donated US$50,000 to help keep Holy Rosary High School, a Catholic school for students with learning disabilities, from closing.{{Cite news |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=September 1, 2006 |title=Reggie Bush is putting down roots in New Orleans |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2003238616_reggie01.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629085813/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2003238616_reggie01.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011}} During training camp, Saints receiver Joe Horn dubbed him "Baby Matrix" because of his seemingly impossible evasive maneuvers (apparently comparing him to the movie The Matrix, which features characters who move faster than humanly possible to dodge bullets).

Bush's rookie season had both ups and downs, although as the season wore on he became more productive and integral to the Saints' surprising success. In the first game of Bush's NFL career, he amassed 141 total yards against the Cleveland Browns. He carried the ball fewer times than his counterpart Deuce McAllister, putting off any speculation that he would immediately supplant McAllister as the starter in New Orleans. The Saints won the game by a score of 19–14.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns – September 10th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609100cle.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425125138/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609100cle.htm |url-status=live }} In his team's Week 9 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bush finished the game with minus-5 yards on eleven carries despite the Saints' 31–14 victory.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 5th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611050tam.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629034535/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611050tam.htm |url-status=live }} This effort lowered his league-worst rushing average among running backs to only 2.55 yards per carry. However, he finished the midway point of the season with 46 receptions, the most by any running back in the league.

At the midway point of the season, Bush had yet to score a touchdown either receiving or running the ball; however, on November 12, 2006, Bush rushed for his first touchdown from scrimmage on a reverse against the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 12th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611120pit.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627224256/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200611120pit.htm |url-status=live }} On December 3, Bush tied the Saints' single-game touchdown record, held by Joe Horn, by scoring four touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers. He gained 168 all-purpose yards as he sparked the Saints to their eighth win of the season.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – December 3rd, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612030nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042801/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612030nor.htm |url-status=live }} On December 10, Bush scored a 62-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, contributing to the Saints' 42–17 drubbing of the Cowboys in what was expected to be a more competitive matchup that would be important to the playoff race.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys – December 10th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612100dal.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174113/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612100dal.htm |url-status=live }} On December 24, Bush scored a one-yard touchdown on a reverse against the New York Giants. Bush also had a career-high 126 rushing yards on the day.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at New York Giants – December 24th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612240nyg.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132503/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612240nyg.htm |url-status=live }} On December 31, Bush scored a one-yard touchdown against the Carolina Panthers but carried the ball only three times, even though backfield counterpart Deuce McAllister did not play.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – December 31st, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612310nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042824/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612310nor.htm |url-status=live }} This was because the New Orleans Saints had already clinched the No. 2 NFC seed in the playoffs.

In the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 13, 2007, Bush ran for 52 yards on twelve carries and scored a touchdown, and added three catches for 22 yards, as New Orleans edged the Philadelphia Eagles 27–24 to earn its first NFC Championship Game appearance in the team's 40-year history.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints – January 13th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701130nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630042805/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701130nor.htm |url-status=live }} The game was also notable for the vicious hit that Bush absorbed from Sheldon Brown while attempting to catch a swing pass on the Saints' first play of the game. On January 21, in the NFC Championship playoff game, Bush caught a pass on the 22 and ran 78 yards downfield (eluding the Chicago Bears safety) for an 88-yard touchdown thrown by Drew Brees. This comeback was the first score of the second half and closed the gap from 16–7 (in favor of Chicago) to 16–14. That was the last time, however, the Saints would score. The Bears went on to trounce the Saints 39–14 to earn a berth to the Super Bowl.{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – January 21st, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701210chi.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813215525/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701210chi.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Klis |first=Mike |date=January 22, 2007 |title=Bush league move inflames Chicago |url=http://test.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5059547 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715075238/http://test.denverpost.com/sports/ci_5059547 |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=The Denver Post}}{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=January 22, 2007 |title=Bush League |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222007/sports/bush_league_sports_paul_schwartz.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111074131/http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222007/sports/bush_league_sports_paul_schwartz.htm |archive-date=January 11, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=New York Post}}

Bush was fined by the NFL after the game for US$5,000 for taunting: which consisted of wagging his finger at All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher and doing a somersault after the 88-yard reception score. Bush apologized immediately after the event.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2007 |title=Bush fined $5,000 for taunting Bears Bush fined $5,000 for taunting Bears |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bushfined&prov=ap&type=lgns |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404095236/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bushfined&prov=ap&type=lgns |archive-date=April 4, 2007 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=Yahoo! Sports |agency=Associated Press}}

==2007 season==

In the season opener of the 2007 season, Bush and the Saints lost to the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts 41–10. Bush was tied for a team-best 38 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also had seven yards on four receptions and a punt return for two yards in a disappointing opener for him and the Saints.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts – September 6th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709060clt.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043028/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709060clt.htm |url-status=live }} Their next game was equally disappointing, as the Saints were beaten 31–14 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bush averaged 2.7 yards per carry and 27 yards from scrimmage – over a third of which came on one play.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 16th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709160tam.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412141406/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709160tam.htm |url-status=live }} Bush scored two rushing touchdowns, both one-yard runs, in the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In that game, Bush carried seven times for 15 yards while catching six passes for 20 yards.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints – September 24th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709240nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043146/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709240nor.htm |url-status=live }} Bush missed the final four games of the 2007 season with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.{{Cite web |last=Pasquarelli |first=Len |date=December 7, 2007 |title=Bush out vs. Falcons, likely to miss rest of season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3145712 |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042605/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3145712 |url-status=live }} Bush finished the season with six total touchdowns and 581 yards rushing, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043124/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2007/ |url-status=live }}

==2008 season==

Bush and the New Orleans Saints faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to open the 2008 season. With Deuce McAllister out due to injury, Bush started the game.{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – September 7th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809070nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042713/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809070nor.htm |url-status=live }} He showed great improvement early in the season, particularly during Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, in which he had 18 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns, one touchdown that included a run up the middle, cutting back to the outside for 23 yards. He added a second touchdown on a six-yard swing pass from Drew Brees near the goal line. Bush ended the game with eleven receptions for 75 yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – September 21st, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809210den.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065615/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809210den.htm |url-status=live }} Since he came into the league, no running back has caught more passes out of the backfield than Bush, who collected 171 receptions in his first two years. On October 6, in a home game against the Minnesota Vikings, he returned two punts for touchdowns and nearly had a third, tying an NFL record for single-game punt returns for touchdowns and becoming the 12th player to do so. In a home game against the Oakland Raiders on October 12, Bush tied the NFL record for fastest time to his 200th catch, doing so in only 34 games.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – October 6th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200810060nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222259/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200810060nor.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2008 |title=Bush ties Boldin's NFL record with 200th catch in 34th game |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3639655 |access-date=October 13, 2008 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=October 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013215232/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3639655 |url-status=live }}

Bush was injured in the October 19 game against the Carolina Panthers. He had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee the next day and was expected to miss the next three to four games. Bush returned on November 30 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and registered three carries for no yards and five catches for 32 yards in a 23–20 Saints loss.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 30th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200811300tam.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043227/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200811300tam.htm |url-status=live }} However, one week later he was back on track, producing over 100 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown catch in an important 29–25 home win against the division rival Atlanta Falcons to keep the Saints' slim playoff hopes alive.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – December 7th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812070nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225107/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812070nor.htm |url-status=live }}

On December 11, Bush sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the Saints' 27–24 overtime loss on the road against the Chicago Bears. Although diagnosed as a sprain, given that it was the same knee he had surgery on earlier in the year – and that the Saints were now out of the playoff picture with only two games left in the 2008 season – Bush was placed on injured reserve, ending his season early for the second year in a row. He finished the season with 404 rushing yards on 106 carries, 440 yards receiving with 52 receptions and nine total touchdowns, playing in ten games.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174110/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2008/ |url-status=live }} Bush was additionally named First Team All-Pro as a punt returner after finishing the season with 20 punt returns for 270 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush Bio & Career Accomplishments |url=https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/reggie-bush/bio |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush (2023) - Hall of Fame |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=2504 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=National Football Foundation |language=en}}

On January 7, 2009, the New Orleans Saints confirmed that Bush had surgery on his left knee, and would require months of rehabilitation. However, Bush was expected to be ready for minicamp in June.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2009 |title=Saints' Bush has microfracture surgery on knee |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3815598 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108102651/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3815598 |url-status=live }}

==2009 Super Bowl season==

File:Reggie Bush in 2009.jpg

On August 16, 2009, Bush left practice due to continuing problems with his left knee, later to return with his knee wrapped in an icepack. Bush and the Saints said that he iced the knee as a precaution.{{Cite web |last=Yasinskas |first=Pat |date=August 5, 2009 |title=New Orleans Saints tackle report that Reggie Bush suffered setback |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4380057 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110131236/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4380057 |url-status=live }} Bush missed the last three games of the 2009 preseason due to a calf injury and to rest his surgically repaired knee. Team officials called it precautionary in nature and stated that Bush would be ready to play during the regular season.

Bush missed games in Weeks 11 and 12 of the regular season due to soreness in his surgically repaired knee. He also missed most of game 15 due to a minor hamstring injury.

File:Reggie Bush Saints victory parade 2.jpg victory parade.|left]]

Bush experienced career lows in every major category for the 2009 season. While he had eight total touchdowns, good for third on the team, Bush was used sparingly during the year due to Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas dominating the backfield carries. Bush ended the year playing in 14 games with 70 carries for 390 yards and five touchdowns, and 47 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043135/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2009/ |url-status=live }}

On January 16, 2010, in the NFC divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Bush had one of the best games of his professional career. He rushed for 84 yards on only five carries, including a 46-yard touchdown run. This play was the longest run by a New Orleans Saints player in the postseason. He also added an 83-yard punt return touchdown late in the third quarter, the Saints' last score in their 45–14 win.{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2009 |title=Reggie! Reggie! |work=Lafayette Daily Advertiser |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100119/SPORTS/1190311/Reggie-Reggie |url-status=dead |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110131236/http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100119/SPORTS/1190311/Reggie-Reggie |archive-date=January 10, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – January 16th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001160nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808231048/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001160nor.htm |url-status=live }}

In the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 24, Bush had only eight yards rushing on seven carries with two receptions for 33 yards, and he fumbled a punt return. However, one of his receptions was a late touchdown that helped the Saints win their first NFC championship and their first Super Bowl appearance and eventual victory in franchise history.{{Cite magazine |date=January 24, 2010 |title=Saints beat Vikings in OT, reach 1st Super Bowl |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2010/01/24/3814_recap.html |access-date=February 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128104456/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2010/01/24/3814_recap.html |archive-date=January 28, 2010}}{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – January 24th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001240nor.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222543/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001240nor.htm |url-status=live }}

On February 7, 2010, Bush won his first Super Bowl with a 31–17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami.{{Cite news |last=Gough |first=Martin |date=February 8, 2010 |title=Saints upset Colts in Super Bowl |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/8491183.stm |access-date=February 8, 2010 |archive-date=February 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208053357/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/american_football/8491183.stm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLIV – New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts – February 7th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201002070clt.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008060625/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201002070clt.htm |url-status=live }}

==2010 season==

Bush's 2010 season was overshadowed by the controversy over his Heisman Trophy, as well as other matters related to his years at USC.{{Cite web |last=Pennington |first=Bill |date=September 14, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush, Ineligible for '05, Returns Heisman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/sports/ncaafootball/15heisman.html |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108193825/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/sports/ncaafootball/15heisman.html |url-status=live }} During the second regular-season game, a Monday Night Football contest with the San Francisco 49ers, he was injured while returning a punt. He did not return to the game. The injury was diagnosed as a broken bone in his right leg and he was expected to miss at least six weeks. He returned on Thanksgiving Day to play against the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2010 |title=Bush's broken leg expected to keep him out six weeks |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bush-s-broken-leg-expected-to-keep-him-out-six-weeks-09000d5d81ab5335 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109033524/https://www.nfl.com/news/bush-s-broken-leg-expected-to-keep-him-out-six-weeks-09000d5d81ab5335 |url-status=live }} Overall, he finished the 2010 season with 150 rushing yards and 34 receptions for 208 yards and a receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042711/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2010/ |url-status=live }}

=Miami Dolphins=

==2011 season==

On July 28, 2011, the Saints traded Bush to the Miami Dolphins for reserve safety Jonathon Amaya and a swap of sixth-round draft picks.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Andrew |date=July 28, 2011 |title=Miami Dolphins working to finalize deals for Reggie Bush, Kyle Orton |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/sfl-report-reggie-bush-to-the-miami-dolphins-in-the-works-20110728,0,2556119.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730182756/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/sfl-report-reggie-bush-to-the-miami-dolphins-in-the-works-20110728,0,2556119.story |archive-date=July 30, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2011 |website=Chicago Tribune}} After an 0–7 start, during the Dolphins' first win of the 2011 season against the Kansas City Chiefs, Bush scored his first rushing touchdown since 2009.{{Cite web |title=2011 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2011.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103081511/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2011.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – November 6th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201111060kan.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072532/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201111060kan.htm |url-status=live }} Bush had his second career 100-yard game against the New York Giants with 103 yards on 15 carries in the 20–17 loss.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at New York Giants – October 30th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110300nyg.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043116/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110300nyg.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 13, Bush rushed 22 times for 100 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a 34–14 win over the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins – December 4th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112040mia.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165120/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112040mia.htm |url-status=live }} Bush again eclipsed the 100-yard mark in a 26–10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles the following week, rushing for 103 yards on 14 carries.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins – December 11th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112110mia.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174139/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112110mia.htm |url-status=live }} On December 18, Bush rushed for a career-high 203 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in a 30–23 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. Bush rushed for 113 yards on 22 carries on Christmas Eve in a losing effort at the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – December 18th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112180buf.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042848/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112180buf.htm |url-status=live }} Early in the game, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season for the first time in his professional career. Overall, in the 2011 season, he finished with 1,086 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 43 receptions, 296 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042949/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2011/ |url-status=live }}

==2012 season==

After a solid season opener against the Houston Texans with 14 carries for 69 rushing yards in the 30–10 loss, Bush broke out on the ground with 172 yards on a career-high 26 carries and two rushing touchdowns, as well as 25 receiving yards, in a 35–13 win over the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans – September 9th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209090htx.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602012350/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209090htx.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins – September 16th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209160mia.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204171449/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201209160mia.htm |url-status=live }} Bush was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 2, the second time since joining the Miami Dolphins, and third time in his career.{{Cite web |title=2012 NFL Week 2 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2012/week_2.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901102431/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2012/week_2.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 15, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 104 rushing yards in the 24–3 victory.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins – December 16th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212160mia.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921155148/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212160mia.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 16, against the Buffalo Bills, he had 65 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and four receptions for 42 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 24–10 victory.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – December 23rd, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212230mia.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043132/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201212230mia.htm |url-status=live }} Overall, on the season, he had 986 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 35 receptions, 292 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043157/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2012/ |url-status=live }}

=Detroit Lions=

==2013 season==

Bush signed with the Detroit Lions on March 13, 2013.{{Cite web |last1=Seifert |first1=Kevin |last2=Walker |first2=James |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Lions agree to deal with ex-Dolphins RB Bush |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9048053/detroit-lions-agree-deal-ex-miami-dolphins-rb-reggie-bush |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921151226/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9048053/detroit-lions-agree-deal-ex-miami-dolphins-rb-reggie-bush |url-status=live }} Bush's contract with the Lions was a four-year deal, worth $16 million with $4 million guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Yuille |first=Sean |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Reggie Bush's contract worth $16 million |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4100292/reggie-bush-contract-detroit-lions |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pride Of Detroit |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921151348/https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4100292/reggie-bush-contract-detroit-lions |url-status=live }} Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole reported that Detroit planned to utilize Bush as a "three-down back" and Bush described playing for the Lions as a "running back's dream."{{Cite web |last=Wachtel |first=Kyle |date=April 10, 2013 |title=The Potential of Reggie Bush in Detroit |url=http://forensicfantasy.com/2013/04/fantasy-football-the-potential-of-reggie-bush-in-detroit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414055557/http://forensicfantasy.com/2013/04/fantasy-football-the-potential-of-reggie-bush-in-detroit/ |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2013 |url-status=usurped |website=ForensicFantasy.com}} He and Joique Bell shared the majority of the workload in the backfield.{{Cite web |title=2013 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2013.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129142026/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2013.htm |url-status=live }} On his debut for the Lions against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded 191 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – September 8th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080det.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183350/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309080det.htm |url-status=live }} On September 29, against the Chicago Bears, he had 18 carries for 139 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 40–32 victory in Week 4.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – September 29th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290det.htm |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108130703/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290det.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 10, in the second divisional game against the Chicago Bears, he had 14 carries for 105 rushing yards in the 21–19 victory.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – November 10th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201311100chi.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226040308/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201311100chi.htm |url-status=live }} In Week 13, against the Green Bay Packers, he had 20 carries for 117 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 40–10 victory.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – November 28th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201311280det.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921153919/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201311280det.htm |url-status=live }} Overall, on the 2013 season, he had 1,006 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 54 receptions, 506 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174323/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2013/ |url-status=live }} He was ranked 85th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2014-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527174135/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2014-nfl-top-100.htm |url-status=live }}

==2014 season==

The 2014 season saw Bush's production drop as Bell's production increased. His first rushing touchdown of the season came against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 as part of a season-high 61-yard performance in the 19–7 victory.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – September 21st, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409210det.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101211151/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409210det.htm |url-status=live }} He only topped 50 rushing yards once more and scored one more rushing touchdown, which came against the Chicago Bears in Week 16, in the 2014 season.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – December 21st, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412210chi.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904150849/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412210chi.htm |url-status=live }} Overall, he finished with 297 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 40 receptions, and 253 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174321/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2014/ |url-status=live }} The Lions made the playoffs and faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round. In the 24–20 loss, he had an 18-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – January 4th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501040dal.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005175938/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501040dal.htm |url-status=live }}

On February 25, 2015, Bush was released by the Lions.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Reggie Bush released by Detroit Lions |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/reggie-bush-released-by-detroit-lions-0ap3000000474134 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035924/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474134/article/reggie-bush-released-by-detroit-lions |url-status=live }}

=San Francisco 49ers=

On March 18, 2015, Bush signed with the San Francisco 49ers.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=March 14, 2015 |title=Reggie Bush agrees to join New York Jets |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/reggie-bush-agrees-to-join-san-francisco-49ers-0ap3000000479051 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111615/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479051/article/reggie-bush-agrees-to-join-new-york-jets |url-status=live }} His one-year contract was for $2.5 million, with $500,000 guaranteed, and a $500,000 signing bonus.{{Cite web |last=Fucillo |first=David |date=March 20, 2015 |title=Reggie Bush contract could be worth $2.5 million |url=http://www.ninersnation.com/2015/3/20/8265821/reggie-bush-contract-could-be-worth-as-much-as-2-5-million |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Niners Nation |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224214726/https://www.ninersnation.com/2015/3/20/8265821/reggie-bush-contract-could-be-worth-as-much-as-2-5-million |url-status=live }} He joined a very crowded backfield that contained Carlos Hyde and Shaun Draughn.{{Cite web |title=2015 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2015.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226102429/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2015.htm |url-status=live }} On September 14, 2015, in the 49ers season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Bush left the game with a leg injury. On November 1, 2015, during a game against the St. Louis Rams, Bush slipped on the concrete surrounding the field at the Edward Jones Dome and crashed into the wall. He suffered a season-ending tear of his left meniscus.{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Matt |date=November 1, 2015 |title=Reggie Bush Injury: Updates on 49ers RB's Knee and Return |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2568030-reggie-bush-injury-updates-on-49ers-rbs-knee-and-return |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Bleacher Report |archive-date=November 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103230035/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2568030-reggie-bush-injury-updates-on-49ers-rbs-knee-and-return |url-status=live }} In limited action, he had eight carries for 28 rushing yards and four receptions for 19 receiving yards on the 2015 season.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314043200/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2015/ |url-status=live }} On January 8, 2016, it was announced that Bush sued the St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, contending that what he described as a "concrete ring of death" around the field caused his injury.{{Cite web |last=Rohrbach |first=Ben |date=January 8, 2016 |title=More bad news, Rams fans: Reggie Bush sues St. Louis over injury |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/more-bad-news--rams-fans--reggie-bush-sues-st--louis-over-injury-153559370.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207141704/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/more-bad-news--rams-fans--reggie-bush-sues-st--louis-over-injury-153559370.html |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |publisher=Yahoo Sports}} On June 13, 2018, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Bush had won the lawsuit and that the Rams were ordered to pay Bush $12.45 million in damages: $4.95 million in compensatory damages and $7.5 million in punitive damages.{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Rams ordered to pay Bush $12.5M for injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23773883/los-angeles-rams-ordered-pay-reggie-bush-125m-injury |access-date=June 13, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613104631/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23773883/los-angeles-rams-ordered-pay-reggie-bush-125m-injury |url-status=live }} In making the ruling, the judge left the Rams as the sole defendant, dismissing the convention authority and sports complex from the suit.

=Buffalo Bills=

File:Reggie Bush 2016.jpg

On August 1, 2016, Bush signed with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal.{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Reggie Bush to sign one-year deal with Buffalo Bills |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000678467/article/reggie-bush-signing-oneyear-deal-with-buffalo-bills |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=August 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802185950/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000678467/article/reggie-bush-signing-oneyear-deal-with-buffalo-bills |url-status=dead }} He joined a backfield that was dominated by LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee.{{Cite web |title=2016 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2016.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331194154/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2016.htm |url-status=live }} Bush rushed for his first touchdown, and only rushing touchdown of the season, with the Bills on October 23, 2016, in a 28–25 loss to the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – October 23rd, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610230mia.htm |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005203827/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201610230mia.htm |url-status=live }} Bush finished the season with seven catches for 90 yards, and 12 carries for −3 yards and a rushing touchdown,{{Cite web |title=Reggie Bush 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 13, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042952/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00/gamelog/2016/ |url-status=live }} making him the first player in NFL history, other than quarterbacks, to carry the ball at least ten times and have negative yardage for a season.{{Cite news |last=Veronica |first=Nick |date=January 1, 2017 |title=Reggie Bush becomes first RB since NFL merger with negative yards on 10-plus carries |work=Buffalo News |url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/01/01/reggie-bush-becomes-first-rb-since-nfl-merger-negative-yards-10-carries/ |access-date=January 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102072622/http://buffalonews.com/2017/01/01/reggie-bush-becomes-first-rb-since-nfl-merger-negative-yards-10-carries/ |url-status=live }}

=Retirement=

On December 15, 2017, Bush announced his retirement from the NFL.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Edward |date=December 15, 2017 |title=Reggie Bush on his NFL career: 'I'm done. For sure' |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/reggie-bush-on-his-nfl-career-i-m-done-for-sure-0ap3000000893396 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128191156/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000893396/article/reggie-bush-announces-his-nfl-retirement-im-done |url-status=live }}

Bush finished his career with 5,490 rushing yards, 3,598 receiving yards, 929 return yards, and 58 touchdowns.

On June 5, 2019, Bush was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |last=DeShazier |first=John |date=June 5, 2019 |title=Marques Colston, Raggie Bush enter New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame together, just as they entered NFL |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/marques-colston-reggie-bush-enter-new-orleans-saints-hall-of-fame-together-just- |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724133257/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/marques-colston-reggie-bush-enter-new-orleans-saints-hall-of-fame-together-just- |url-status=live }}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

! colspan="2"| Legend

style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|

| Won the Super Bowl

style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|

| Led the league

Bold

| Career high

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Rushing

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="5"| Punt returns

! colspan="5"| Kick returns

! colspan="2"| Fumbles

GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2006NO

| 16 || 8 || 155 || 565 || 3.6 || 18 || 6 || 88 || 742 || 8.4 || 74 || 2 || 28 || 216 || 7.7 || 65 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 2 || 2

2007NO

| 12 || 10 || 157 || 581 || 3.7 || 22 || 4 || 73 || 417 || 5.7 || 25 || 2 || 3 || 12 || 4.0 || 10 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 7 || 3

2008NO

| 10 || 9 || 106 || 404 || 3.8 || 43 || 2 || 52 || 440 || 8.5 || 42 || 4 || 20 || 270 || 13.5 || 71 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 3 || — || — || — || — || — || 3 || 2

2009style="background:#afe6ba;"|NO

| 14 || 8 || 70 || 390 || 5.6 || 55 || 5 || 47 || 335 || 7.1 || 29 || 3 || 27 || 130 || 4.8 || 23 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 2 || 1

2010NO

| 8 || 6 || 36 || 150 || 4.2 || 23 || 0 || 34 || 208 || 6.1 || 20 || 1 || 14 || 92 || 6.6 || 43 || 0 || 1 || 32 || 32.0 || 32 || 0 || 0 || 0

2011MIA

| 15 || 15 || 216 || 1,086|| 5.0 || 76|| 6|| 43 || 296 || 6.9 || 34 || 1 || 6 || 52 || 8.7 || 16 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 4 || 2

2012MIA

| 16|| 16|| 227|| 986 || 4.3 || 65 || 6|| 35 || 292 || 8.3 || 25 || 2 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 4 || 2

2013DET

| 14 || 14 || 223 || 1,006 || 4.5 || 39 || 4 || 54 || 506 || 9.4 || 77|| 3 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 5 || 4

2014DET

| 11 || 9 || 76 || 297 || 3.9 || 26 || 2 || 40 || 253 || 6.3 || 28 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0

2015SF

| 5 || 1 || 8 || 28 || 3.5 || 9 || 0 || 4 || 19 || 4.8 || 8 || 0 || 2 || 9 || 4.5 || 9 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0

2016BUF

| 13 || 0 || 12 || −3 || −0.3 || 5 || 1 || 7 || 90 || 12.9 || 25 || 0 || 2 || 13 || 6.5 || 13 || 0 || 5 || 103 || 20.6 || 35 || 0 || 1 || 0

colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BushRe00.htm Total]134961,2915,4904.376364773,5987.577181027947.8714613522.53502716

Personal life

At one time, Bush dated Kim Kardashian while at USC,{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2008 |title=MTO EXCLUSIVE: Did Y'all Know That Reggie Bush's OLD GIRLFRIEND ... Before Kim K ... Is A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER???? |url=http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/26157-mto_exclusive_did_yall_know_that_reggie_bushs_old_girlfriend__before_kim_k__is_a_professional_wrestler.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905232629/http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/26157-mto_exclusive_did_yall_know_that_reggie_bushs_old_girlfriend__before_kim_k__is_a_professional_wrestler.html |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=MediaTakeout.com}} after Matt Leinart introduced them at the 2007 ESPY Awards.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2009 |title=The Saint and The Sinner |url=https://www.gq.com/story/new-orleans-reggie-bush-running-back-kim-kardashian |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=GQ.com |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226134254/https://www.gq.com/story/new-orleans-reggie-bush-running-back-kim-kardashian |url-status=live }} The pair were reported as having gotten back together on September 28, 2009.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jennifer |date=September 28, 2009 |title=Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush Are Back Together! |url=https://people.com/celebrity/kim-kardashian-and-reggie-bush-are-back-together/ |access-date=September 30, 2009 |website=People |archive-date=October 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001152926/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20308772,00.html |url-status=live }} Bush was romantically linked to country singer Jessie James Decker in 2010.{{Cite news |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=April 17, 2010 |title=Kim K.'s Ex Reggie Bush Dating Singer Jessie James?! |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/176916/kim-k-s-ex-reggie-bush-dating-singer-jessie-james |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010160612/http://www.eonline.com/news/176916/kim-k-s-ex-reggie-bush-dating-singer-jessie-james |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=October 10, 2017 |work=E!}}

Bush began dating Armenian dancer Lilit Avagyan in 2011{{Cite news |date=July 19, 2012 |title=Reggie Bush's First Tango in Paris With New Galpal |url=http://www.gossipextra.com/2012/07/19/reggie-bush-miami-dolphins-girlfriend-paris-1666/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724021544/http://www.gossipextra.com/2012/07/19/reggie-bush-miami-dolphins-girlfriend-paris-1666/ |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2015 |work=Gossip Extra}} and the two married on July 12, 2014.{{Cite news |last=Olya |first=Gabrielle |date=July 12, 2014 |title=Reggie Bush Marries Lilit Avagyan |url=http://www.people.com/article/reggie-bush-marries-lilit-avagyan-san-diego |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615070300/http://www.people.com/article/reggie-bush-marries-lilit-avagyan-san-diego |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |work=People}} The couple have three children: daughter, Briseis (born May 6, 2013) {{Cite web |last=Eggenberger |first=Nicole |date=May 7, 2013 |title=Reggie Bush's Fiancee Gives Birth to Baby Girl |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/reggie-bushs-girlfriend-lilit-avagyan-gives-birth-to-baby-girl-201375/ |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=Us Weekly |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520100745/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/reggie-bushs-girlfriend-lilit-avagyan-gives-birth-to-baby-girl-201375 |url-status=live }} and sons, Uriah (born July 12, 2015){{Cite web |last=Webber |first=Stephanie |date=July 14, 2015 |title=Reggie Bush and Wife Welcome Son |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/reggie-bush-wife-lilit-avagyan-welcome-baby-boy-2015147/ |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=Us Weekly |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723041357/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/reggie-bush-wife-lilit-avagyan-welcome-baby-boy-2015147 |url-status=live }} and Agyemang (born September 2, 2017).{{Cite web |last=Lupo |first=Marc |date=September 6, 2017 |title=Reggie Bush, Lilit Avagyan Welcome Baby No. 3: Find Out His Name! |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/reggie-bush-wife-lilit-avagyan-welcome-third-child-w497221 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=US Magazine |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022060235/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/reggie-bush-wife-lilit-avagyan-welcome-third-child-w497221/ |url-status=live }}

=Media career=

File:USFL Mascot.jpg

In February 2007, Bush appeared as Ciara's love interest in the music video for her single, "Like a Boy".{{Cite web |last=Stern |first=Brad |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Ciara's 'Like A Boy' Video Gets A Pop Up Video |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/58dfi4/ciara-like-a-boy-pop-up-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204173416/https://www.mtv.com/news/58dfi4/ciara-like-a-boy-pop-up-video |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2024 |website=MTV |language=en}}

On June 26, 2007, David Beckham's first major US television advertising campaign since joining the Los Angeles Galaxy debuted via the internet. Titled "Futbol Meets Football", it paired Beckham with Bush in a 12-part video series, with additional television, radio and online promotion by Adidas.{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Ronald |date=June 24, 2007 |title=Helix High School alum Reggie Bush with Becks in adidas "Futbol V Football" ad campaign |url=http://sdmlsproject.com/adidasbecksandbush.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928073215/http://sdmlsproject.com/adidasbecksandbush.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |website=SdmlsProject.com}}

File:Reggie Bush (cropped).jpg

In August 2007, he signed a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio to be a weekly announcer for the 2007 season.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2007 |title=Reggie Bush inks Sirius Radio Announcer Deal |url=http://news.lalate.com/2007/08/16/reggie-bush-inks-sirius-radio-deal/ |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=LA Late News |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727070537/http://news.lalate.com/2007/08/16/reggie-bush-inks-sirius-radio-deal/ |url-status=live }}

Bush was nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2007{{Cite web |title=2007 BET Awards official site |url=http://www.bet.com/static/specials/betawards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110117130025/http://www.bet.com/static/specials/betawards/ |archive-date=January 17, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2010 |website=BET.com}} and 2009{{Cite web |title=Best Male Athlete at BET Awards 2009 | url= http://www.bet.com/Specials/betawards09/betawards09_nominees/betawards09_nominees_bestmaleathlete |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100528161013/http://www.bet.com/Specials/betawards09/betawards09_nominees/betawards09_nominees_bestmaleathlete |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |website=BET.com| publisher= |access-date=March 23, 2010}} BET Awards.

File:Reggie Bush - Your Action Saves Lives campaign video.ogg 2020.]]

Bush was featured almost shirtless on the February 2010 cover of Essence for the theme "Black Men, Love & Relationships."{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2010 |title=Reggie Bush on the February Cover of ESSENCE |url= http://www.essence.com/magazine/reggie_bush_on_the_february_cover_of_ess.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100109180140/http://www.essence.com/magazine/reggie_bush_on_the_february_cover_of_ess.php |archive-date= January 9, 2010 |access-date=September 21, 2019 |website=Essence.com}} However, this appearance generated controversy as some among the magazine's readers took offense to Bush on the cover of such an issue; at the time he was involved with Kim Kardashian and Bush was criticized for dating only non-black women.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2010 |title=Essence Takes Heat For Reggie Bush Cover |url=http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/spotlight/2010/01/07/essence-takes-heat-for-reggie-bush-cover/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110020002/http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/spotlight/2010/01/07/essence-takes-heat-for-reggie-bush-cover/ |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |website=BET.com}}

Also in 2010, Bush's fundraising work for organizations that benefit Haiti and diamond-producing countries in Africa earned him a nomination for the VH1 Do Something Awards. Specifically, Bush worked on behalf of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, visiting Botswana and South Africa and raising money for education there. He is a founding member of the Fund's Athletes for Africa program.{{Cite web |title=Founding Members of Athletes for Africa |url=http://www.diamondempowerment.org/founding-members |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117144156/http://www.diamondempowerment.org/founding-members/ |archive-date=November 17, 2009 |access-date=July 15, 2010 |website=Diamond Empowerment Fund}} The awards show, produced by VH1, is dedicated to honoring people who do good and is powered by Do Something, an organization that aims to empower, celebrate, and inspire young people.{{Cite web |title=Do Something |url=http://www.dosomething.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717043910/http://www.dosomething.org/ |archive-date=July 17, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2010 |website=Do Something}}

In March 2012, Bush became a partner and spokesperson for skincare company Barc, makers of BumpDown Razor Bump Relief.{{Cite press release |last=Pasetsky |first=Mark |date=March 29, 2012 |title=Football Star Reggie Bush Becomes Partner in Barc Skincare, Named Official Spokesperson |publisher=GlobeNewswire |url=http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/03/29/472033/250676/en/Football-Star-Reggie-Bush-Becomes-Partner-in-Barc-Skincare-Named-Official-Spokesperson.html |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103151241/http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/03/29/472033/250676/en/Football-Star-Reggie-Bush-Becomes-Partner-in-Barc-Skincare-Named-Official-Spokesperson.html |url-status=live }}

In 2018, Bush appeared as a contestant on Talk Show the Game Show with Guy Branum.{{Cite web |title=Fortune Feimster, Reggie Bush, and Nick Thune |url=http://www.trutv.com/shows/talk-show-the-game-show/season-1/episode-19/fortune-feimster-reggie-bush-and-nick-thune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202212023/https://www.trutv.com/shows/talk-show-the-game-show/season-1/episode-19/fortune-feimster-reggie-bush-and-nick-thune |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |website=TruTV.com |language=en}}

In 2019, Bush signed on with Fox Sports as a college football analyst for their Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. He left the show in 2023 when they could not come to an agreement on his next contract.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Bryan |date=September 30, 2023 |title=What happened to Reggie Bush? Explaining Fox's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show change for 2023 |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/reggie-bush-fox-big-noon-kickoff-pregame-show-change-2023/5bcaa8f341dfd75f2c40f7dc |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Sporting News |language=en-us}}

In October 2022, he signed an ambassador deal with golf brand Srixon.{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Reggie Bush Joins Srixon/Cleveland Golf |url=https://drivingrangeheroes.com/reggie-bush-joins-srixon-cleveland-golf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201237/https://drivingrangeheroes.com/reggie-bush-joins-srixon-cleveland-golf/ |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Driving Range Heroes}}

In April 2024, Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy was reinstated by the Heisman Trust.{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Antonio |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Reggie Bush has Heisman Trophy reinstated, ending nearly 2-decade saga |url=https://theathletic.com/5441674/2024/04/24/reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-reinstated/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Henning |first=Tim |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Heisman Trophy Trust Reinstates Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/heisman-trophy-trust-reinstates-reggie-bushs-2005-heisman/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Heisman |language=en-US}}

On September 24, 2024, it was reported he is suing the school, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA for illegal use of his name' image and likeness without permission nor compensation.{{Cite web |last=Sterling |first=Wayne |date=2024-09-24 |title=Reggie Bush seeks NIL compensation in lawsuit against USC, Pac-12 and NCAA |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/24/sport/reggie-bush-sues-usc-pac-12-ncaa-spt-html/index.html |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=CNN |language=en}}

See also

Notes

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References

{{Reflist|30em}}