Fansided

20 biggest sports scandals of all-time

By Josh Criswell

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants former outfielder Barry Bonds in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants former outfielder Barry Bonds in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Southern California Trojans logo at midfield before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Southern California Trojans logo at midfield before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Reggie Bush forfeits Heisman, USC hammered by the NCAA

From 2003 to 2005, Reggie Bush gained national recognition as one of the most electric players we have ever seen in college football.

Bush finished his career with 6,551 all-purpose yards and 42 total touchdowns, earning a reputation as a player capable of breaking off a touchdown on any given play. Entering the 2005 college football season, he had already helped bring a BCS National Championship to USC, in addition to two AP national titles. He was also coming off a sophomore season in which he was named the 2004 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

As a junior, Bush compiled 18 total touchdowns while leading the nation with 2,218 yards from scrimmage and an astonishing 8.7 yards per carry. That year, he led the Trojans to a BCS National Championship runner-up performance, earned consensus All-American and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors once again and was named the winner of the Doak Walker, Walter Camp and AP Player of the Year Awards.

The most prestigious accolade, however, came when he was named the seventh player in USC history to win the Heisman Trophy.

Unfortunately, his legendary collegiate career would be followed by a scandal that received just as much media attention. It was discovered that Bush and his family had accepted impermissible benefits from an aspiring sports agent, and as a result, the running back would forfeit his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

USC would pay the biggest price, though.

The NCAA handed down one of the harshest punishments in the organization’s controversial history, in what appeared to be an overzealous attempt to send a message.

The Trojans received a two-year postseason ban, a reduction in scholarships and all wins that Bush participated in dating back to December 2004 were vacated. USC’s 2004 national title was also vacated by the Bowl Championship Series.

Next: 19. USA basketball loses gold medal match to Soviet Union in 1972 Olympics

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