The Heisman Trophy Trust is expected to officially strip Bush of his 2005 Heisman Trophy. You have to ask yourself, “Why?”
I understand that the complaints against the NCAA are many, the entire organization is very, very out of touch with athletes today. The NCAA wanted to show that it was a dog with more than just bark and handed out those crippling sanctions to USC. But what about the Heisman Trophy Trust, a winner must be eligible to compete under NCAA rules, so the eight members of the Heisman Trust have their “hands forced.”
But the Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the most outstanding college football player. Not the best, not the highest rusher or the best blocker, but “the most outstanding player in college football.” In 2005, was there anyone better?
The answer is no, there wasn’t. Even Vince Young (the runner up) didn’t compare to Bush’s amazing feats on the field. Yes, Bush surely made a few poor decisions, but without getting on my soap box, the NCAA creates a culture of breaking rules. But more importantly, you can’t tell me that the long list of past winners doesn’t include players who played and lived during the so called “glory days” of college athletics (new houses, tractors, or even cars in the driveway….thanks Blue Chips).
All I’m saying is let’s get off our high horses and realize that Bush’s so called “violations” had nothing to do with what he did on the gridiron.
1989 Trophy winner Andre Ware put it best, “You can’t erase his performance on the field…he earned that trophy”
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