Sources: Bush to have Heisman stripped

This was not the news Reggie Bush was looking forward to hearing: According to Yahoo! Sports, the Heisman Trophy Bush won at USC will be stripped by the end of September.

Charles Robinson and Jason Cole report that sources indicate an investigation by the Heisman Trophy Trust is coming to an end, and that the group will concur with the NCAA's determination that Bush was ineligible during his Heisman-winning season in 2005 because of accepting improper payments and benefits.

Bush would become the first play in the 75-year history of the award to have the honor taken away. The NCAA discovered major violations in the Trojans' football program in June and handed down sanctions against the school. No other player will be given the Heisman for that season. 

The NCAA ruled retroactively that Bush was ineligible for part of the 2004 season and all of the 2005 season because of the improper benefits he received.

Robinson and Cole write further: In July, incoming USC president C.L. Max Nikias announced that the university would be returning its copy of Bush’s Heisman to the trust, stating the Trojans would honor and respect athletes who “did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes.” New USC athletic director Pat Haden followed up in August, stating during an interview with the Dan Patrick radio show that Bush should also voluntarily return his Heisman.