Reggie Bush set to return to USC as broadcaster, his first time back since NCAA fallout

Former University of Southern California standout Reggie Bush is returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time in nearly a decade. 

Bush will be broadcasting for Fox Sports on Friday night in the pregame and halftime shows for USC’s game against No. 11 Utah. He’ll be joined by former USC quarterback Matt Leinart and former Ohio State University coach Urban Meyer.    

The NCAA ruled in 2010 that the Trojans’ athletic program had to permanently disassociate from Bush, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 before it was vacated five years later, after an investigation determined he had received cash and impermissible benefits from sports marketers. USC also vacated its wins from 2004 and 2005, including the national title in ’04. 

The NCAA put the Trojans on four years’ probation, barred them from playing in bowl games after the 2010 and 2011 seasons and docked them 10 scholarships for three consecutive seasons. 

Former USC running back Reggie Bush will return to the Coliseum later this week to help broadcast a game. (Photo: Amy Sussman, Getty Images)

USC spokesman Tim Tessalone told ESPN that the university “checked with the NCAA and was told that if Reggie is in a working capacity, it is OK for him to be at the Coliseum for a USC game.”

Although Bush’s jersey cannot be retired and he has been disassociated with the school since forfeiting his Heisman, he said recently he still feels a sense of closeness to the program that launched his professional career. He enjoyed an 11-year NFL career, highlighted by his time with the New Orleans Saints (2006-10), where he won a Super Bowl in 2009. He retired from the league in 2017. 

“Not to pat myself on the back, but a lot of the kids still commit there based off what we did when we were there in college,” Bush told The Athletic in an August story. “I still talk to a lot of guys there. I still have relationships with a lot of people there.”

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