Super XLIV champion and former USC standout running back Reggie Bush took the ceremonial first pitch on Friday when the Dodgers battled against the Cincinnati Reds. The honor comes in light of him getting his Heisman trophy reinstated.
Bush earned the Heisman in 2005 after amassing 1740 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns that season. His efforts would lead the Trojans to the Rose Bowl and their third consecutive National Championship appearance.
“It was something on my mind every single day, every single minute,” Bush said about getting his Heisman back. “The same way I manifested it in my life the first time, I did the same thing the second time around. I knew at some point I will get it back.”
Prior to the Dodgers game against the Cincinnati Reds, Super Bowl champion and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush sent out the ceremonial first pitch. Former teammate Matt Leinart was the catcher pic.twitter.com/LeoaHj4nwH
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Bush played baseball prior to the start of his football career, he noted how he used to be an outfielder because of his speed. Now he coaches his kids in baseball. Playing baseball taught him hand-eye coordination, which helped him in football.
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“Coordination is everything. When I was young, I was very athletic, I was very fast but baseball, you need a little rhythm, you need a little tempo to your swing,” Bush said. “Obviously, there’s the art of throwing the ball as well pitching … those simple things translate to a lot of different sports.”
To help out with his ceremonial pitch was his former teammate and 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart who acted as catcher. Both Bush and Leinart aided the Trojans to back-to-back National Championship titles in 2003 and 2004.
Being able to make history in the Los Angeles sports scene; a prominent L.A. sports figure for Bush was Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant.
“I wanted to follow those same footsteps as Kobe Bryant,” Bush said. “I felt like I got pretty close to that, achieving those goals and things that I set out for myself. I feel confident that the work that I put in on the football field speaks for itself, the highlights speak for themselves.”
Bush set a freshman record with his 1,331 all-purpose yards. In 2004, he made 143 carries for 908 yards and six touchdowns. His efforts would make him team MVP.
For years people have been expressing to Bush how he deserves his Heisman trophy.
“Everybody I’ve seen is like “I can’t wait for you to get the Heisman Trophy back,” he said. “Literally everybody that I’ve run into … whether I’m at a grocery store or picking up my kids from school. Everybody has been wanting this.”
