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Reggie Bush

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Reggie Bush
refer to caption
Reggie Bush celebrating USC's 2004 National Championship.
New Orleans Saints
Career information
College:Southern California
NFL draft:2006 / round: 1 / pick: 2
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2009
Rushing yards:1,940
Average:4.0
Rushing Touchdowns:17
Receptions:260
Receiving yards:1,934
Receiving Touchdowns:11
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II (born March 2, 1985) is a professional football player who plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He has played running back/tailback, wide receiver, and punt returner. Bush played college football at the University of Southern California in 2003–2005, including two National Championship seasons. He has won numerous collegiate awards including the 2005 Heisman Trophy, but allegations that he received improper benefits are central to a controversy surrounding the USC program that led to severe sanctions including a 2-year postseason ban, loss of football scholarships, and the vacating of wins in the 2004-05 championship season. He may also lose his Heisman Trophy which he won in 2005.

College career

Before attending USC, Bush was a running back out of Helix High School in La Mesa, California. When head coach Pete Carroll recruited Bush for USC, he envisioned using Bush as a five-way threat. The freshman quickly proved he could carry, catch, throw and return the ball effectively. In 2003, he was a consensus First-team Freshman All-American selection and became the first Trojan since Anthony Davis in 1974 to lead the Pac-10 in kickoff returns. His 1,331 all-purpose yards set a USC freshman record. ESPN's Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year also amassed 521 yards rushing, with three touchdowns on 90 carries that year.

In 2004, Bush finished fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, was named the team's MVP, earned consensus All-American honors and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He finished second on the team with 143 carries for 908 yards (6.3 avg) and six touchdowns, adding on 509 yards and seven scores on 43 receptions (11.8 avg). He 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.[1]

In 2005 Bush was a unanimous First-team All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy. He was also named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, Pigskin Club of Washington D.C. Offensive Player of the Year, and Touchdown Club of Columbus Player of the Year. Bush also won the Walter Camp Award and the Doak Walker Award; which is given to the nation's best running back. 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 total yards from scrimmage with 513 (294 rushing, 68 receiving, 151 return) in a game against Fresno State on November 19, 2005. Bush also became known for the "Bush Push," which occurred on a game winning score against the University of Notre Dame.[1]

Bush led the Trojans with 1,740 yards on 200 carries (8.7 avg) with sixteen 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).[1]

In 39 games at USC, Bush started only fourteen times. However, he finished tenth in NCAA Division I-A history with 6,541 all-purpose yards. He finished with 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns on 433 carries (7.3 avg) and 1,301 yards with thirteen 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 passes for a 52-yard touchdown.[1]

Legacy

Bush had amassed 2,611 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns (15 rushing, 2 receiving, 1 punt return).[2] He was awarded the Heisman Trophy on December 10, 2005. He had 784 first-place votes while Texas quarterback Vince Young finished second with 79 first-place votes, with an overall edge in voting points of 2,541 to Young's 1,608.[3] The 933 point margin-of-victory was the 17th highest of all time. 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.[4][5] 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, Walter Camp Award, and was selected as the Pac-10's offensive player of the year.

He and teammate Matt Leinart became the first pair of Heisman Trophy winners to play together in a single game in the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006 against the University of Texas Longhorns. 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 his runner-up for the Heisman, 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, but the lateral fell to the ground and was recovered by Texas. This game gave Bush a total of 6,890 all-purpose yards for his college career.

NCAA investigation and lawsuits

On April 23, 2006, a report surfaced raising questions about whether Bush's family received gifts in violation of NCAA policies. The school has requested that the conference investigate the matter, and Bush has denied any impropriety. In April 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that the NCAA is combining its investigations of Bush and former USC basketball player O.J. Mayo into a single probe of the Trojans' athletic program.[6] 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. Sworn statements would become public record and could be used by the NCAA to conclude its investigation into this matter. This investigation had been stalled by the NCAA's lack of subpoena power[7]. However, on June 10, 2010, the NCAA announced sanctions including a postseason ban in football for the 2010 and 2011 seasons; reductions of ten scholarships per season for the next three academic years; and vacation of all wins from the 2004 season, including the 2005 Orange Bowl.[8]

Awards and recognition

  • Awarded the 2005 Walter Camp Award and the 2005 Doak Walker Award.[9][10]
  • Won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, beating finalists Vince Young and former Heisman winner and teammate Matt Leinart.[3] **
  • Also in 2005, he was named the Pigskin Club of Washington D.C. Offensive Player of the Year.[11]
  • In celebration of their stellar 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.
  • 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,[12] released on July 18, 2006.
  • He was ranked #24 on ESPN's 25 Greatest Players in College Football list.[13]
    • The Heisman trophy awardmay be removed to NCAA sanctions in 2010.

NFL career

2006 NFL Draft

On January 12, 2006, Bush elected to forgo his senior season at USC and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Draft analysts predicted that he would be the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, 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.[14] Bush's representatives spoke that night with the New Orleans Saints, who said they intended to use their second overall pick to select Bush.

Bush was indeed drafted by the Saints with the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. 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.[15]

On April 26, 2006, three days prior to the 2006 Draft, Bush had signed a multi-year endorsement with the athletic sportswear company adidas to promote football and training clothes, and help the company launch cleats in 2007.[16]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
5 ft 10+7⁄8 in
(1.80 m) 		201 lb
(91 kg) 		4.33 s X s X s X s X s 40+1⁄2 in
(1.03 m)		 10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		 24 reps X
Height/Weight from NFL Combine, other values from USC Pro Day

New Orleans Saints

2006 season

Bush's selection by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft generated excitement and celebration among New Orleans 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.[17] Bush had petitioned the NFL to wear the number 5 on his jersey, which he has worn throughout his high school and college careers. However, in order for him to wear the number 5, 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' mini-camp practices pending the NFL's ruling. On May 23, 2006, the NFL competition committee officially rejected his request, and on May 25, 2006 it was officially announced that Bush would be wearing the number 25, acquired from Saints running back Fred McAfee. Although Bush had earlier pledged to donate a quarter of the money he receives 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.[18] As part of the deal with McAfee to wear the number 25, Bush agreed to allocate half of that money to charities of McAfee's choosing, with 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.

Bush is second to Peyton Manning in NFL endorsement deals, amounting to roughly $5 million annually. He has signed contracts with Pepsi, General Motors, Adidas 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 has pledged to help the city recover from the hurricane. On May 15, 2006, Bush donated $50,000 to help keep Holy Rosary High School, a local Catholic school for students with learning disabilities, from closing.[19] In 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. 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 NFL.

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. 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. 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 match-up that would be important to the playoff race. 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. On December 31, Bush scored a one-yard touchdown against the Carolina Panthers, but only carried the ball three times, even though backfield counterpart Deuce McAllister did not play. This was because the New Orleans Saints had already clinched the #2 NFC seed in the playoffs.

On January 13, in the NFC Divisional Playoff game, Bush ran for 52 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown, and added three catches for 22 yards, as New Orleans edged Philadelphia, 27–24 to earn its first NFC Championship Game appearance in the team's 40-year history. 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.[20][21][22]

Bush was fined by the NFL after the game for $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.[23]

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 Bush and the Saints. The Saints following game was equally as 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. Bush scored two rushing touchdowns, both one-yard runs, in the Saints' week three loss to the Tennessee Titans. In that game Bush carried seven times for 15 yards, while catching six passes for 20 yards. Bush finished the season with six total touchdowns and 581 yards rushing, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Bush missed the final four games of the 2007 season with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

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 for week one. Bush ran 14 times for 51 yards and caught eight passes for 112 yards, which included a 42-yard catch-and-run out of the backfield for a diving touchdown.[citation needed] Bush showed great improvement early in the season, particularly during week three against the Denver Broncos where 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. He ended the game with 11 receptions for 75 yards and one receiving touchdown. Since Bush came into the league, no running back has caught more passes out of the backfield than him, collecting 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; becoming the 12th player to do so. On October 12, in a home game against the Oakland Raiders, he tied the NFL record for fastest time to 200th catch, doing so in only 34 games.[24]

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 3-4 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. However, one week later he was back on track, as he produced over 100 yards from scrimmage and a TD catch in an important 29–25 home win against division rival Atlanta Falcons to keep the Saints' slim playoff hopes alive.

On December 11, 2008, Bush sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the Saints' 27-24 overtime loss in Chicago. 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. Bush finished the season with 404 rushing yards on 106 carries, 440 yards receiving with 52 receptions, and nine total touchdowns, playing in ten games. 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 2009.[25]

2009 season

On August 5, 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 have said that he iced the knee as a precaution.[26] Bush missed the last three games of the 2009 pre-season 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 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.

Bush experienced career lows in every major category for the 2009 season. While he had 8 total touchdowns, good for 3rd on the team, Bush was used sparingly during the year. Bush ended the year playing in 14 games with 70 carries for 390 yards and 5 touchdowns, and 47 receptions for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns.

On January 16, 2010, in the NFC divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Bush had one of the best games of his pro career. On only 5 carries, Bush rushed for 84 yards 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.[27]

In the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 24, 2010, Bush had only 8 yards rushing on 7 carries, 2 receptions for 33 yards, and he fumbled a punt return, but one of his receptions was a late touchdown that helped the Saints win their first NFC championship and their first Super Bowl appearance and victory in franchise history.[28] On 7 February 2010, Bush won his first Super Bowl with a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami.[29]

Media career and personal life

French mobile game publisher Gameloft announced on November 21, 2006 that it had signed Bush as its cover athlete for Reggie Bush Pro Football 2007, which was made available in January 2007 across multiple wireless carriers and cell phones. This marks the second cover endorsement for Bush, who was the cover athlete of Electronic Arts' NCAA Football 07. Gameloft did not secure the NFL license for this mobile game, which means that actual team names, logos and NFLPA players (aside from Bush) were not incorporated into the gameplay.

He appeared in Ciara's video "Like A Boy" in 2007.

On June 26, 2007, David Beckham's first major U.S. TV ad campaign since finishing with Real Madrid made its debut via the web. Titled "Futbol Meets Football", it paired Beckham with Bush in a 13-part video series, with additional television, radio, and online promotion by Adidas.[30]

In August 2007, he signed a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio to be a weekly announcer for the 2007 season.[31]

At one time Bush dated WWE Diva Eve Torres while at USC.[32] Bush then dated Kim Kardashian. Their relationship began after being introduced by Matt Leinart at the 2007 ESPY Awards. They split on July 27, 2009[33] and came back together on September 28, 2009.[34] They split again in late March 2010.

Bush was nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2007[35] and 2009[36] BET Awards.

In 2010, Bush was featured almost shirtless on the cover of Essence Magazine as part of an issue about "Black Men, Love & Relationships."[37] However there was controversy as some black female readers took offense to Bush on the cover of such an issue, since he was involved with Kardashian (who is not Black) and Bush was accused of only dating non-Black women.[38]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Reggie Bush.
  1. ^ a b c d "Reggie Bush Draft Profile". FoxSports.com. Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  2. ^ Schrotenboer, Brent (2005-12-08). "Trophy hopeful Bush from humble beginnings, tries to stay that way". SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
  3. ^ a b http://www.heisman.com/winners/r-bush05.html
  4. ^ "USC's Bush wins Heisman by monumental margin". Associated Press. 2005-12-11. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
  5. ^ http://www.heisman.com/handbook/most-points.html
  6. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4055102&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines Retrieved on 2009-04-09.
  7. ^ "Suit vs. Bush to proceed in court". Associated Press. December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  8. ^ "NCAA sanctions against USC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  9. ^ http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/
  10. ^ http://smu.edu/doakwalker/doak_recipients.asp
  11. ^ http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bush_reggie00.html
  12. ^ "EA Drafts Heisman Trophy Winner Reggie Bush as Cover Athlete". April 28, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  13. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3086827
  14. ^ "Texans ink DE Williams, to draft him No. 1". NFL.com. April 28, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  15. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (April 28, 2006). "Snubbing Bush a Texans-size blunder". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  16. ^ "Reggie Bush signs deal with Adidas". Associated Press. April 26, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  17. ^ Halliburton, Suzanne (2006-05-18). "Football rookies make a big impact on fans". Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  18. ^ "Reggie Bush won't get his No. 5 this year". Associated Press. 2006-05-23. Retrieved 2006-07-21.
  19. ^ Farmer, Sam (September 1, 2006). "Reggie Bush is putting down roots in New Orleans". Seattle Times. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
  20. ^ The Denver Post - Bush league move inflames Chicago
  21. ^ Bush League
  22. ^ The SouthtownStar :: Sports
  23. ^ Yahoo! Sports - Sports News, Scores, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more
  24. ^ "Bush ties Boldin's NFL record with 200th catch in 34th game". ESPN. Associated Press. 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  25. ^ Saints: Bush had 'microfracture' surgery. Retrieved on 2009-01-07.
  26. ^ Yasinskas, Pat (August 5, 2009). "New Orleans Saints tackle report that Reggie Bush suffered setback". ESPN.com.
  27. ^ "Reggie! Reggie!". AP in Lafayette Daily Advertiser. January 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ "Saints beat Vikings in OT, reach 1st Super Bowl". Sports Illustrated. 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  29. ^ "Saints upset Colts in Super Bowl". BBC Sport. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  30. ^ adidasbecksandbush
  31. ^ Reggie Bush inks Sirius Radio Announcer Deal | lalate news - America's Fastest Growing Celebrity News Site!
  32. ^ http://www.mediatakeout.com/2008/26157-mto_exclusive_did_yall_know_that_reggie_bushs_old_girlfriend__before_kim_k__is_a_professional_wrestler.html
  33. ^ "The Saint and The Sinner". GQ. 2009-4. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ "Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush Are Back Together!". Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  35. ^ "2007 [[BET Awards]] official site". Retrieved 2010-03-23. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  36. ^ "Best Male Athlete at [[BET Awards]] 2009 official site". Retrieved 2010-03-23. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  37. ^ http://www.essence.com/magazine/reggie_bush_on_the_february_cover_of_ess.php
  38. ^ http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/spotlight/2010/01/07/essence-takes-heat-for-reggie-bush-cover/
Awards
Preceded by Heisman Trophy Winner
2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Doak Walker Award Winner
2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Walter Camp Award Winner
2005 		Succeeded by

Template:ESPNRISE 2000s All-Decade team

Template:Chic Harley Award

Template:Jim Brown Award Template:EA-NCAAFB-Athlete

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