Reggie Bush files defamation lawsuit against NCAA: Ex-USC running back says collegiate sports governing body ‘maliciously’ spread false info on him in battle over the Heisman he forfeited in 2010 over pay-for-play claims

Reggie Bush’s attorneys plan to file a libel lawsuit against the NCAA on behalf of the former USC star, accusing the collegiate sports governing body of maliciously attacking his character in a 2021 statement.

The lawsuit was first reported by ESPN.

At the heart of the issue is Bush’s attempt to reclaim the 2005 Heisman Trophy, which he forfeited in 2010 over pay-for-play claims. Then, as now, NCAA athletes were not allowed to receive a salary in exchange for playing their respective sports. Two years ago, however, the NCAA began allowing athletes to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness — a change Bush hoped would help him regain his lost Heisman.

But instead of cleaning Bush’s record and awarding him the Heisman he won at USC, the NCAA released a statement accusing the retired NFL star of an improper pay-for-play arrangement.

“The lawsuit is based on the NCAA maliciously attacking his character through a wholly false and highly offensive statement that was widely reported in the media that substantially and irreparably damaged his reputation,” said a statement from the McCathern law firm, PLLC. .

USC distanced itself from Bush for a decade over alleged NCAA rule violations

The company did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

Bush played with USC on two national championship teams in 2003 and ’04, and led the Trojans to another title game in 2005, a season in which he won the Heisman in a spectacular season. He ran for 1,740 yards, averaged 8.7 yards per carry, and scored 19 touchdowns.

The NCAA later investigated USC and Bush and determined that he and his family had received impermissible benefits from a marketing agent while playing for the Trojans. Purported benefits included cash, travel expenses and a house where Bush’s parents lived for free.

USC was hit by heavy sanctions in 2010 and later the Heisman Trust reversed Bush’s Heisman victory and asked him to return his trophy.

Bush pictured in 2022, working as a Fox Sports analyst during a Pac-12 game between Utah and USC

Under the NCAA fines, USC broke away from Bush for a decade. That sanction was lifted in 2020 and Bush was welcomed back to the school. Heisman’s win goes unanswered, saying the award would only be returned if the NCAA reconsider the penalties against Bush. The NCAA has said it will not review past violations, though calls have been made to do so in light of current, less restrictive rules around athlete compensation for endorsement deals.

The NCAA was unimpressed by these arguments and in 2021 released the statement that Bush now claims is defamatory.

“While college athletes can now take advantage of their names, images and likenesses through activities such as endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not allow pay-for-play-style arrangements,” an NCAA spokesperson said in a statement. the 2021 statement. “The NCAA violation process is there to promote fairness in college sports. The rules of fair play are voted on, agreed upon and expected to be adhered to by all NCAA member schools.”

Bush, a former star of the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints, will address the media Wednesday morning at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.