Bush
wins Heisman hands down
By Patrick Hodgson
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
The lack of suspense resembled the climax of a Superman movie or any other movie
when everyone knows who will win. As speculated since Tuesday, USC tailback Reggie
Bush won the 2005 Heisman Trophy in a landslide. The elusive Bush received a
whopping 85 percent of first place votes capturing 784 of 923 votes, which is
the highest percentage ever.
“
I was shocked by the margin of victory. It’s a humbling experience and
I’m still trying to let everything settle in,” said Bush.
As a result of winning the Heisman, Bush became the seventh player in USC history
to win the prestigious award, tying Notre Dame with the most award winners of
all time. In addition, Bush became the third player in four years to win the
award for the Trojans. In 2002 Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals won it
and last year Matt Leinart won it.
“
I feel so blessed to be in this elite fraternity. I’m grateful for Matt
coming back and doing what he had done with the team,” said Bush.
Many experts and writers eligible to vote on the Heisman initially had Vince
Young of Texas favored as the Heisman throughout the majority of the season until
three weeks ago when Bush wowed them by compiling over 500 all purpose yards
against Fresno State and followed it up with 260 yards rushing against rival
UCLA.
Overall, the All-American back finished with 1,658 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns,
which could have had something to do with his off season training with LaDainian
Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.
Once Bush was announced as the winner at the ceremony in New York, Bush walked
up to the podium and thanked his parents and his teammate Leinart.
“
I appreciate my father a lot. I thank him for being a true man,” Bush
said. “It’s funny because Matt told me that it gets emotional up
there and I didn’t think it would happen with me.”
Bush will prepare for the much forestalled showdown against the undefeated Texas
Long Horns on Jan. 4 where the Trojans have a chance to become the first team
to win an unexampled third successive championship.
Flashing uncanny acceleration and ability to change direction, Bush has conjured
up memories of Gale Sayers, drawn comparisons to Marshall Faulk, Barry Sanders
and Tony Dorsett. Bush is the No.1 favorite pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Bush’s father was quoted saying it’s time to take it to the next
level after last weeks demolition of UCLA 66-19.
Will Bush forgo his senior season and enter the 2006 draft or will he equivocally
have reporters in a state of consternation such as Leinart did when he passed
up being the top pick of the draft to finish up his last year of college?
“
Let’s not count the chickens before the eggs hatch,” Bush said.
“
In all fairness to my teammates, I won’t announce a decision until after
the championship.”
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