Its Karma!

"http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9821565/new-orleans-saints-san/new-orleans-saints-san.jpg?size=234&imageId=9821565" border="0" width="234" title="New Orleans Saints v San Francisco 49ers" height="156" oncontextmenu="return false;" ondrag="return false;" onmousedown="return false;" alt="SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints lies on the ground injured against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)">

In case you are just joining us, Reggie Bush has been the focus of an embarrassing NCAA investigation into illegal practices as a college athlete while playing football at USC. The NCAA ruled him ineligible during the 2005 season for improperly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars and has since punished USC with tough sanctions for allowing the conduct to occur. Reggie Bush even forfeited his Heisman Trophy from 2005 due to the allegations.

Well, just when you thought Bush was going to move on from this and focus on his NFL career he broke his fibula last night in the New Orleans Saints win against the San Francisco 49ers. Bush is expected to miss the next 6 weeks of play.

So on one hand I can't help but think, finally! Its time Bush suffers from his actions five years ago, because we all know that although his pride is hurt, he has escaped any real sanction by the NCAA by being a success in the NFL making millions and winning a Superbowl. Yet, with more introspection it is clear that the Saints are the ones, just like USC, that is going to suffer from this incident. Sure, Reggie won't be able to play for a few weeks, but he is still going to get his paycheck. It is the Saints that have counted on Reggie to run the ball and help them win games. Now he is out. This time it wasn't Reggie's fault, but its still a loss for the Saints.

Reggie Bush Forfeits Heisman

Without being mandated by the Heisman Trophy Trust, Reggie Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman trophy for being found ineligible in the 2005 season for NCAA violations. Bush is the first Heisman recipient in its 75 year history to forfeit his trophy.

Bush's forfeiture of the award is the first step in the right direction. He is now able to end the drama surrounding this situation and start to rebuild his image and focus on his NFL career. In doing so, he also relieved the Heisman Trophy Trust of having to make the decision as to whether to strip him of the award, which would have received a more controversial reaction.

At the end of the day this is just a PR stunt, as Bush sure did benefit tremendously from this award in 2005 and beyond (he not only took it from runner-up Vince Young, but also scored the cover of EA sports video game in 2007 which sure raked in the big bucks). Kinda feels like a grade school teacher coercing a child to return a half eaten candy bar he stole from a classmate....yet, I doubt there is a much of a lesson here for Bush to learn since the consequences are coming 5 years after the fact when he already has a huge NFL contract and a Superbowl ring.

Heisman Stripped!

Reggie Bush, currently the running back for the New Orleans Saints, will be stripped of the Heisman trophy he won while playing at USC in 2005. It has since been determined that Bush was ineligible in 2005 for accepting improper benefits as a NCAA athlete. Bush became ineligible by accepting gifts from sports marketers, such as a rent free home and limousine for his family. This is the first time in the 75 year history of the college football most valuable player award, that it has been vacated. (The Heisman Trust has decided not to give the award to the 2005 runner-up, Vince Young.)

Bush's behavior in 2005 warranted some punishment, but does the stripping of his Heisman really make him feel the pain? Sure there are additional consequences, such as the negative press, embarrassment, and removal of his image from USC's campus, but does any of this matter now that Bush has a Superbowl ring? This is like being crowned Miss America, and then having your Miss California title taken away. It is possible that Bush's breakup with Kim Kardashian was even more painful and got more press.

The real losers here are Vince Young and the other college football players who played fair. Whether this punishment for Bush is justified or not, there is no way to rewind to 2005 and let another player win the honor.