Former soccer megastar Reggie Bush and his legal professionals introduced Wednesday he’s suing the NCAA, claiming the group’s previous remark suggesting that he had a “pay-for-play” association was defamatory.
“Most recently, the NCAA has made a statement about me, accusing me of engaging in a pay-for-play arrangement, which is 100% not true. Not only is it not true, but there’s no evidence to even support that claim,” Bush stated on the press convention.
The NCAA instructed ESPN in 2021 that it might no longer reinstate Bush’s 2005 season file and would no longer give him again the Heisman Trophy, regardless of rule adjustments that yr that allowed school athletes to receives a commission for his or her title, symbol and likeness.
“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” an NCAA spokesperson told ESPN on the time. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”
Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, one of the attorneys representing Bush, stated Wednesday that his consumer did not have a pay for play association with the University of South California, however that he performed for the workforce out of devotion to the college.
“Devotion that earned him many collegiate records and awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the highest honor bestowed on a college football player,” Crump stated.
The lawsuit states that Bush’s popularity in his occupation was “substantially and irreparably damaged” as a result of of the NCAA’s remark.
In this Nov. 13, 2004, document picture, USC operating again Reggie Bush is pursued by way of Antoine Cason and Wilrey Fontenot of Arizona right through 49-9 victory in Pacific-10 Conference soccer sport on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
Kirby Lee by the use of AP, FILE
“This action seeks to hold the NCAA accountable for its unlawful conduct and for the damages, mental anguish, humiliation, and embarrassment it has caused Mr. Bush by the NCAA’s false and defamatory statement,” the lawsuit reads.
A spokesperson for the NCAA instructed ABC News the group “has no additional comment at this time.”
The NCAA sanctioned USC in 2010 with a two-year postseason ban, loss of 30 scholarships and forfeiture of 14 victories, together with the 2004 BCS nationwide championship, for Bush receiving presents from a couple of sports activities entrepreneurs who had been seeking to recruit him to USC, in keeping with ESPN.
The group accused the 2 sports activities entrepreneurs of paying for motels, a rent-free house the place Bush’s circle of relatives lived, a limousine and a brand new swimsuit for the Bush which he wore when he authorized his 2005 Heisman, ESPN stated.
As part of the sanction, Bush needed to disassociate from the college for 10 years. The disassociation duration resulted in June 2020, in keeping with ESPN.
Following the NCAA’s 2021 resolution to permit school athletes to receives a commission for his or her likeness, the Heisman Trust, which awards the Heisman Trophy, stated if the NCAA had been to revive Bush’s 2005 season file, then he would be capable of get his Heisman again, according to ESPN.
Bush’s title does no longer seem on an inventory of previous Heisman Trophy winners at the Heisman Trust’s site.
“Give again the Heisman to Reggie,” Levi McCathern, another of Bush’s attorneys, said at the press conference. “Give again USC’s 14 wins, however extra importantly, we’re asking the general public right here these days … give Reggie Bush his excellent title again.”
ABC News’ Stefan Joyce contributed to this record.
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