Johnny Manziel Vows to Skip Heisman Ceremony Until NCAA Gives Trophy Back to Reggie Bush

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Don’t expect to see Johnny Manziel in New York City in December for the annual Heisman Trophy Ceremony anytime soon.

Manziel, who won the award in 2012 while starring at Texas A&M, went on social media Saturday to state he plans to skip the event until the NCAA rights a wrong.

“After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel wrote. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.”

Bush won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 2005 after registering 2,218 total yards and 18 touchdowns for USC. But after years of investigation, the NCAA announced in 2010 that the running back received gifts from agents while in college. The USC program was punished with hefty bans and penalties.

Bush voluntarily forfeited the Heisman Trophy in September 2010. The Heisman Trophy Trust opted to vacate the award completely instead of award it to another 2005 finalist.

“You can back a brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie’s trophy is back where it rightfully belongs,” Manziel wrote. “This is about doing what’s right for everyone involved. Reggie’s play on the field inspired me to be the football player that I am.”

Since Bush’s award in 2005 was vacated, there have been just three non-quarterbacks to take it home—Alabama running backs Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) as well as Crimson Tide receiver DeVonta Smith (2020).

The 2024 Heisman Trophy Ceremony will take place Dec. 14 in New York City.