Rare Photos of Reggie Bush

SI Staff | Sep 15, 2010

Rare Photos of Reggie Bush /

Rare Photos of Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush made headlines on Tuesday for returning his 2005 Heisman Trophy. Here are some rare photos of the former USC star and current Saints running back. Bush grew up in San Diego and attended Helix High in La Mesa, where he scored on a 60-yard touchdown run the first time he touched the ball as a freshman. In addition to his strong performance on the field, Bush maintained a 3.8 GPA in the classroom. Pete Carroll soon recruited him to play for the Trojans. (Send comments to siwriters@simail.com)

Reggie Bush

After landing at USC, Bush quickly made an impact, running for 270 all-purpose yards in a game against Washington. The Trojans offense, led by quarterback Matt Leinart, quickly became one of the nation's best.

Reggie Bush

Bush's freshman year ended with a 28-14 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl and a share of the national championship. In this photo, Bush leads the Trojan Marching Band in a postgame celebration.

LenDale White, Hershel Dennis and Reggie Bush

Bush poses with fellow Trojan running backs LenDale White and Hershel Dennis during a summer session before the 2004 season. In his sophomore season, Bush split carries with White but still finished with 2,330 all-purpose yards.

Reggie Bush

In 2004, USC rolled through the season undefeated and claimed a national championship with a 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

Reggie Bush

By 2005, Bush was the top prize in college football, so much so that he agreed to pose as an Oscar statue for an SI photo shoot.

Josh Pinkard, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Darnell Bing and Travis Draper

The 2005 season was a mixed bag for Bush. He gained 2,611 all-purpose yards, scored 18 touchdowns and was a unanimous First-team All-America selection. He also won the Heisman. His quest for a third straight national championship, however, came up short when Vince Young led his Texas squad to an upset victory over the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

Reggie Bush and Paul Tagliabue

Bush decided to forego his senior season at USC and enter the NFL Draft. Though most experts had him pegged as the No. 1 overall selection, that distinction went to North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. Bush was picked second by the New Orleans Saints.

Reggie Bush

Over 15,000 Bush jerseys sold the week after the draft.

Kimora Lee Simmons and Reggie Bush

Due to his popularity in the Los Angeles region, Bush's celebrity was beginning to spread beyond the football field. In this photo, Bush is joined by Kimora Lee Simmons at the Soul Train Music Awards in Pasadena.

Terrell Owens and Reggie Bush

Bush with Terrell Owens at the Midsummer Night's Dream celebrity basketball game in Los Angeles.

Reggie Bush

In his first season with the Saints, Bush served mainly as Deuce McAllister's backup, but still managed to catch 88 passes for 742 yards. He didn't score his first touchdown until Nov. 12, but three weeks later scored four times against the 49ers. He finished the season with 565 rushing yards.

Reggie Bush and Sheldon Brown

The Saints advanced to the playoffs in Bush's first season and beat the Eagles in the Divisional Round before losing to the Bears in the NFC Championship game. Despite taking this huge hit from Sheldon Brown, Bush later scored a touchdown in the Saints' 27-24 victory over the Eagles.

Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart

Bush speaks to children at Matt Leinart's Youth Football Camp in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Reggie Bush

Bush shows off his agility during an offseason workout with the Saints.

Reggie Bush

Bush's sophomore NFL season was a struggle. The Saints went from appearing in the NFC Championship game to a losing record (7-9). Bush ran for only 581 yards and missed the final four games of the season with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush

Though he was struggling on the field, Bush was becoming an A-List star off it, thanks in part to his relationship with television personality Kim Kardashian. The two were introduced by Matt Leinart at the 2007 ESPY Awards.

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush

Bush and Kardashian dated for nearly three years and became one of the nation's most famous celebrity-athlete couples.

Steve Smith, Ruben Droughns, Reggie Bush and Donte Stallworth

Steve Smith, Ruben Droughns, Donte Stallworth and Bush arrive at Braylon Edwards' 25th birthday party in Las Vegas.

Reggie Bush

By his fourth season, Bush had solidified himself as a solid NFL player. He didn't reach the level of dominance many expected coming out of USC, but he was a key cog in the Saints' run to a Super Bowl championship.

Published Sep 15, 2010

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