Reggie Bush Recalls 'Fighting Thoughts of Suicide' Before Being Drafted by the New Orleans Saints

The former NFL player spoke out about his emotional journey and the return of his Heisman Trophy on 'CBS Mornings' on April 26

Reggie Bush is speaking out about what being drafted by the New Orleans Saints meant to him.

In 2010, the former NFL running back, who previously played college football at the University of Southern California, forfeited his 2005 Heisman Trophy after an NCAA investigation determined he received money and goods from USC that were not allowed under NCAA rules, thus ruling him ineligible.

Appearing on CBS Mornings on Friday, April 26, Bush revealed he was at his "weakest point" when he was drafted by the Saints.

"When I think I'm at my weakest point and when I'm dealing with depression, fighting thoughts of suicide, there's an entire city there to embrace me and to lift me up, and to give me an opportunity to go out, once again, to prove myself," he said.

On Wednesday, April 24, the Heisman Trust announced its decision to give Bush, 39, back his trophy, citing the “enormous changes” — the NCAA's "Name, Image and Likeness" (NIL) policy, which allows college players to take on brand partnership deals — that have since been made in the world of college football, CNN reported.

When asked what it was like to hold the award again, Bush said, "It was heavy as I remembered. I was like, 'Yep, it's still heavy.' "

The athlete said of his emotions surrounding the decision, "I think when you've manifested this for so long, and you've been through the ups and the downs for so many years — I've cried over it, I have — but I felt like at this point, I was just taking it in and just being happy and just enjoying the moment, and just knowing that we did this."

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Related: Reggie Bush Reflects on Stepping Back from the NFL and Keeping His 'Focus' on 'Family'

In August 2023, Bush filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA for “maliciously attacking” his character. At the time, he said the lawsuit was in reference to a 2021 statement made by an NCAA spokesperson claiming Bush was involved in a "pay-for-play arrangement" during his time as the running back on the USC football team.

On CBS Mornings Friday, Bush said he was "never paid to play," adding, "That never happened. Ever. I was a broke college kid."

He also said now that even though his trophy is reinstated, he will not settle his lawsuit against the NCAA. "It's about accountability," Bush said.

He continued of the "multibillion-dollar business" of college football, "The kids are the ones who the fans are paying to see."

Related: Former USC Star Reggie Bush Wants Heisman Trophy Back After NCAA Introduces Historic New Rules

"The kids are paying for the adults," Bush added. "They're paying for the presidents, the contracts, the ADs, the head coach — head coaches who are now being paid tens of millions of dollars. Everybody's benefited but the kids."

Asked what it would mean to see his college number five displayed once again at USC, Bush said in part, "It means everything. That's what I grinded for."

Heisman Trust President Michael Comerford said in a statement earlier this week of the decision to give Bush his award back, “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy to Reggie."

Following the announcement that he'd finally be reunited with the award, Bush posted a photo of his Heisman Trophy with the caption, “No one can take from you what God has for you.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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