yep, bullshit logic by the Heisman Trust
I never heard about Bush getting paid for his NIL, but rather it was purely pay-for-play. That is still illegal today and requires the participants to at least pretend they are getting paid for their NIL. So that's another reason their logic fails.
Another ND superlative bites the dust. What do we have left?
ND’s ole performance in 2002 certainly helped Carson Palmer.
If ND had closed the deal in 2005, maybe Vince Young would have claimed the trophy instead of Reggie Bush.
Caleb Williams may have clinched the trophy running around against ND in 2022.
As it was he finished 4th.
He probably should've finished ahead of Leinart as it is, anyway. Throw in the game-winning score over Leinart, the anticipation of ND appearing in the Rose Bowl for the national championship, and his only loss coming in a 487-yard 5 TD effort, and he'd have a shot at the trophy. Voters love Heisman moments, and his TD run in the last minutes may have become the most watched clip of the year in November. (Also possible that Zibby's return TD would've been the most watched clip.) We never talk about Quinn's TD much anymore, but that was an inspirational effort to shrug off an All-American linebacker and future first rounder and stretch for the goalline. Though Bush's TD soar over Fresno State still would've been wowing people.
However, his two chief competitors still (1) also led his team to the title game with similar passing numbers and 1,000 yards rushing and (2) ranked third in the country with 8.7 yards per carry with ~2,200 yards and 19 all-purpose TDs. He'd have a shot though. Especially when voters viewed him as a real student-athlete. (Though it may have been a couple years before both Young and Bush to take PR hits.)
Had it stayed in a lot of clock would've run off and we would've won
Jyst look at who won the NC last season. Combine it with one of the easiest schedules in D1, and it's a recipe for success. They were praised for their greatness. That Bush is getting his trophy back isn't a surprise.
players who played before the three point line should appeal to have their point totals adjusted to reflect the three pointers they would've made under the current rules.
for athletes to be compensated? Give them the '82 National Championship?