The dark cloud that surrounds Reggie Bush’s collegiate career continues to brew into a storm. The former University of Southern California product is likely to have his Heisman Trophy stripped by the trust, possibly this month. USC has already severed ties with its former star running back, as it tries to clean up its tarnished image.
As of now, it’s not 100 percent confirmed that Bush will be asked to give back his Heisman Trophy, nor he we know if he would willingly hand it back to them. Moreover, what about Vince Young, the runner-up for the 2005 Heisman to Bush? Could he subsequently be handed the trophy? According to Young’s mother, the Titans QB wouldn’t want the trophy if offered.
Currently a member of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, Bush has maintained that his focus is on the current football season and not this heavily scrutinized plot line.
This is a storyline that has all the makings of controversy, lasting power and fierce debating. So, SBR Forum is throwing out the following football prop odds:
Will Reggie Bush be stripped of his 2005 Heisman Trophy?
Yes -700 (1/7)
No +600 (6/1)
Will the Heisman Trust offer the 2005 Heisman Trophy to Vince Young?
Yes -200 (1/2)
No +150 (3/2)
If asked to return the Heisman Trophy, would Reggie Bush fight the decision/refuse to return it?
Yes -250 (2/5)
No +225 (9/4)
If Bush was stripped of the Heisman and Vince Young declined it, would Matt Leinart accept the trophy?
Yes -800 (1/8)
No +750 (15/2)
“Clearly, it’s not a matter of if, but a question of when,” says Steve Ricci, SBR Forum Oddsmaker. “We can’t see the Heisman Trust allowing Bush to keep the trophy now knowing that he broke the rules.”
The next question is whether or not the Heisman Trust will offer Bush’s award to the runner-up that year, Vince Young. The other possibility is that the 2005 trophy would remain vacant, with no declared winner.
“That’s ridiculous. Why would you leave the award vacant for 2005? Vince Young had a tremendous season and shouldn’t be penalized because it took the trust five years to get it right,” continues Ricci. “We believe he’ll be offered the award, minus the ceremony.”
Ricci and SBR have also favored Bush fighting the confiscation of his award. As Bush’s NFL career has had its ups and downs, Ricci believes he’s so incredibly sentimental about his USC days that he won’t want to let them or the trophy go.
Finally, with speculation that Young wouldn’t accept the award if offered, the attention would then turn to the third place finisher in 2005, Matt Leinart. With his career in the toilet, we’d expect the former USC QB to grab the trophy faster than a shark’s jaws at feeding time.
So where do you weigh in? Comment now in the forum thread.
Got a prop question or suggestion? Email life@sbrforum.com.