Former USC Trojans star running back Reggie Bush is reportedly planning to file a defamation suit against the NCAA for maliciously attacking his character through false and highly offensive statements in 2021.
The 38-year-old plans to file the lawsuit on Wednesday, August 23, according to a statement from his law firm McCathern, PLLC, via ABC News.
"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," the statement read.
Bush is doing so after the NCAA statement issued to media outlets on July 28, 2021. This included an inquiry on the possibility of Bush having his records and participation restored in light of changes to name, image, and likeness rules that went into effect earlier that month.
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"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 said in that statement.
After being forced to give it up in 2010, Bush is believed to be attempting to have his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated.
The Heisman Trophy Trust had already said that because Bush's 2005 season was vacated by the NCAA, he was ineligible to win it. But should the NCAA restore his records, the trophy would be returned.
Unfortunately, the NCAA has declined to reconsider the case of Bush, stating that they do not re-evaluate past penalties, CBS Sports reported.
Bush is set to shed more light on his defamation suit on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. E.T. at a press conference at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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