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Reggie Bush to file defamation lawsuit against NCAA for 2021 claim USC star involved in ‘pay-for-play’ scheme



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Reggie Bush goes after the NCAA. The former USC star working again and two-time All-American is making plans to file a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday stemming from a 2021 observation made via an NCAA spokesperson claiming Bush was once involved in a “pay-for-play arrangement,” Bush’s representatives instructed CBS Sports on Tuesday night time.

Bush, who racked up 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in 3 seasons with the Trojans, had his 2005 Heisman Trophy vacated — forfeited on his finish in 2010 — and his collegiate data wiped following a high-profile NCAA investigation that made up our minds he and his members of the family won impermissible advantages — together with money, trip bills and a San Diego house — whilst Bush performed in faculty.

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A two-time nationwide champion with USC (2003-04), Bush sought to have his Heisman returned and his data restored in 2021 amid newly carried out title, symbol and likeness regulations that permit faculty athletes to be paid via 3rd events.

The Heisman Trust stated it might welcome Bush again into its circle of relatives if the NCAA reinstated his data from the 2005 season. Heisman eligibility necessities state that recipients “must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA student athlete.”

However, the NCAA declined to rethink Bush’s case, pronouncing it does now not reevaluate previous consequences. In explaining the affiliation’s choice, an NCAA spokesperson discussed “pay-for-play arrangements” in a observation to ESPN:

“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. 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.”

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It is that claim of “pay-for-play arrangements” that has triggered Bush’s defamation lawsuit.

“The lawsuit is based on the NCAA maliciously attacking his character through a completely false and highly offensive statement that was widely reported in the media and substantially and irreparably damaged his reputation,” Bush’s representatives stated in a observation bought via CBS Sports.

“The NCAA’s statement is completely false and highly offensive. The NCAA knew Mr. Bush was never even accused of, involved in, much less sanctioned for any ‘pay-for-play arrangement,’ which never occurred.”

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Bush plans to deal with his defamation lawsuit on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET in a press convention scheduled at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The NCAA in 2021 settled a decade-long defamation lawsuit with Bush’s former place trainer, Todd McNair, for his function in the infractions case. USC was once compelled to disassociate from Bush for a duration of 10 years that ended in 2020.



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