A Transcript Of Reggie Bush’s Speech Today After His Heisman Was Reinstated

“Thank you, president [Mike Comerford], and thank you to the trust. You know, it’s been a long time coming and I’m excited to be back. I’m excited to get a chance to stand here in front of you guys. Thank you. Because I do appreciate it, I appreciate all you guys being here. You don’t have to be here. I understand the value of time and how important that is. And the fact that you guys are willing to take time out of your day, to be here for this event. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate you guys for that.

“I Can’t wait to get back and show my kids the trophy. They’re excited. You know, we’re excited as a family to be here, excited to be able to take this back to USC and to be able to stand there in front of the USC family.

“I was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame few months ago and a bunch of my teammates showed up and surprised me. That was one of the best parts about what we do – that camaraderie that never leaves you. That brotherhood that never leaves you, and this game that never leaves you.

“Well, you know, I’ve grown so much. Through this experience, I’ve learned so much about the people closest to me and my family. And I also learned a lot about the value of support and how much that means to all of us. We have all needed support in our lives. All of us have. And so, I appreciate you guys for being here. It really means a lot to me.

“I’ve got chills right now just standing here in front of you guys because I watched some of you guys. I watched Coach [Spurrier]. Ricky [Williams]. A little quick story about Ricky. I grew up in San Diego. We grew up in the same neighborhood. We come from the same neighborhood, and Ricky did it before me. And I grew up, always knowing about him, always knew the magnitude of what he represented. And coming from San Diego, he really paved the way for running backs like myself to know that we can go do it. And so, you know, Rick, I appreciate you, so much. We got a chance to do a (autograph) show together. That was amazing. But again, these experiences, the things, these stories that I have from this game, man, it’s all part of the experience. It’s all part of the build-up to me growing every single day, learning, maturing, and trying to become the best version of myself every single day. And that’s really what I set out to be. It’s trying to be the best version of myself.

“And I thank God for sticking with me throughout my life, even in the times where I may have stepped away from him. He was always there for me. I’ve always fought with God. I honestly have. He’s always been my rock – – has always been my foundation. I thank my mom for raising me in the church. A lot of those traditional values stuck with me and hard work is all I know – honest, hard work. That’s who I am. I was raised that way.

“Getting a chance to go to USC was a special experience for me. Getting a chance to go on the football field and do the things that I did was amazing. And like I said, I always got a chance to watch guys like Ricky and other people come before me, who paved the way for me. Whether you know it or not, everybody here had an impact. And I appreciate everybody in this room again for being here.

“I want to thank the attorneys for putting this together and making this happen. It was a good fight and I’m just so blessed and honored for the people who supported me: Ben Crump, Levi McCathern. It’s amazing – the people that have come in out of my life that have helped me get to this point.

“So, thank you guys – and yeah, appreciate it.”