USC Football Retires Heisman Winners Caleb Williams, Reggie Bush Jerseys: New Display
Former USC Trojans Reggie Bush and Caleb Williams have always been USC Football legends. From highlight reels to Heisman trophies, each have etched their legacy into the traditions of the Trojans.
Now, both will forever be honored by their alma mater.
On Thursday, the USC Football program revealed that both Bush's No. 5 and Williams' No. 13 will be retired. The retired jerseys of all of USC's Heisman Trophy winners are displayed at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum were showcased in a recent post by the USC Football X page, with newest inclusions among them.
Bush's jersey had been removed in 2010 after the NCAA ordered the Trojans to disassociate with the former NFL star. He had returned his Heisman Trophy after an NCAA investigation found that Bush received benefits from an agent. However, a social media uprising and change of the college football landscape with Name, Image, and Likeness deals spurned the Heisman Trust to return the trophy back to Bush.
Bush's 2005 junior season was one to remember; 1,740 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and averaging nearly nine yard per carry. The dual-threat back also tore up PAC-10 defenses with 478 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He added a punt return touchdown to total over 2,218 yards from scrimmage.
Bush was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2006 NFL Draft, going second overall to the New Orleans Saints. Bush's electric running style aided the Saints to a postseason berth in his rookie season. Following five seasons in New Orleans, Bush moved on to the Miami Dolphins in 2011.
His 11-year professional football career ended with stints in Detroit, San Francisco, and Buffalo. Bush had joined Fox Sports as a college football analyst as part of the Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, but left in 2023 after the two parties could not come to an agreement on a new contract.
Williams joins the hallowed collection of retired jerseys, The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft will make his National Football League debut with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. His Heisman victory in 2022 came after a stint at Oklahoma, where the quarterback was first paired with coach Lincoln Riley.
Following his transfer from Norman, Williams immediately exploded into the national limelight with a 42 passing touchdown season as a full-time starter. Although his final season in Southern California ended shy of the Trojans' championship goals, the top-pick in the NFL Draft still threw for over 3,600 yards and contributed 41 total touchdowns before sitting out the final bowl game.
Williams joins the other retired jersey numbers in USC history alongside Mike Garrett (No. 20), O.J. Simpson (32), Charles White (12), Carson Palmer (3), Matt Leinart (11) and the now re-joined Bush (5).
Current USC linebacker Mason Cobb will continue to wear No. 13 this season, but the uniform will not be worn again following Cobb's Trojan career.
USC Football fans will get their first glimpse at the new look Coliseum on Saturday, as the Trojans host Utah State following an epic victory over the LSU Tigers on Sunday night in Las Vegas. Williams' replacement, Miller Moss continues to garner his own Heisman buzz following a 27-of-36 passing day for 378 yards and a touchdown.
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