“Doesn’t Sit Right With My Morals”: Johnny Manziel Chooses to Forgo Significant Award in Honor of Reggie Bush, Issues Strong Warning to NCAA

Renowned Texas A&M Aggies quarterback legend, Johnny Manziel, has always been recognized for his straightforward commentary. Recently, he didn’t mince words when addressing his former coach, Kevin Sumlin, attributing Texas A&M’s recent setbacks and the mishandling of Kyler Murray’s situation to Sumlin’s leadership.

In a departure from football talk, Manziel has now turned his attention to the NCAA, advocating for the reinstatement of Reggie Bush‘s Heisman Trophy. Despite the tradition of past winners gathering at the annual Heisman ceremony in New York to welcome the next star, Manziel announced on social media that he would abstain from this year’s event due to his stance on Reggie Bush’s situation.

Johnny Manziel sides with Reggie Bush

Johnny Manziel has taken a courageous stand, declaring his decision to abstain from the Heisman Trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush’s rightful trophy reinstatement. In a poignant statement shared on X, Manziel expressed his profound belief that it contradicts his ethical principles for Bush to be excluded from the esteemed event. He underscored Bush’s pivotal significance to the Heisman legacy, boldly asserting that “Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.” This isn’t the first instance of Manziel challenging the NCAA’s decision regarding Bush’s Heisman. 

Just last August, he utilized X as a platform to fervently demand the trophy’s return, condemning the NCAA’s actions as unjust. In his impassioned tweet, Manziel spotlighted Bush’s extraordinary talent and adamantly proclaimed that he deserves to stand alongside fellow Heisman recipients every year. Reflecting on Bush’s illustrious college career, characterized by a remarkable 2005 season featuring 1,740 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, it’s evident that he remains one of the most electrifying players in the annals of college football. Manziel’s outspoken stance serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing discourse surrounding Bush’s Heisman status and the broader issues within collegiate athletics.

Reggie Bush lost his Heisman trophy and title 

Reggie Bush, the standout from the University of Southern California (USC) who claimed the Heisman Trophy in 2005, has voiced his desire for the reinstatement of both his award and college football records. Despite recent changes permitting college athletes to profit from Name Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, the NCAA remains steadfast in its opposition to “pay-for-play” arrangements. In a statement issued on Thursday, Bush expressed his team’s efforts to engage with the NCAA and the Heisman Trophy Trust to seek the reinstatement of his Heisman Trophy. This comes on the heels of the NCAA’s announcement of a new policy allowing student-athletes to monetize their names, images, and likenesses.

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Bush’s forfeiture of the Heisman Trophy in 2010, following an investigation revealing impermissible benefits during his college tenure, marked a significant turn. The penalties imposed on USC included probation, vacating wins, and bowl game bans. Despite the recent policy changes, the Heisman Trophy Trust has stated that Bush remains ineligible to reclaim his award, citing the NCAA’s ruling as the determining factor.