High Honors for Tremendous Trojans: Bush, Williams

Sep 5, 20242 min read

USC Trojans | Bush, Williams Jersey Numbers Retired — @USC Athletics

At the University of Southern California, the football jerseys of Heisman Trophy winners are retired and proudly displayed in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In conformity with this tradition, the USC athletic department announced on Sept. 5 that the jerseys of Reggie Bush and Caleb Williams will now be retired and displayed.

The USC football program released a photo showcasing banners emblazoned with the jersey numbers of its eight Heisman Trophy winners and the years in which they won the most prestigious award in college football.

USC has more Heisman Trophy winners than any other college football program. Its eight Heisman Trophy winners are:

Mike Garrett (No. 20) 1965
OJ Simpson (No. 32) 1968
Charles White (No. 12) 1979
Marcus Allen (No. 33) 1981
Carson Palmer (No. 3) 2002
Matt Leinert (No. 11) 2004
Reggie Bush (No. 5) 2005
Caleb Williams (No. 13) 2022

Williams left for the NFL after the 2023 season, and Bush was controversially stripped of his Heisman Trophy, only to have the award recently reinstated. Both legendary Trojans performers will now be forever honored in the venerable Coliseum.

Electric Trojans Legend: Reggie Bush

Bush's jersey was previously retired and displayed in the Coliseum. However, in 2010, the NCAA compelled USC to sever all formal ties with Bush after finding that Bush's family received impermissible benefits from an agent. The NCAA's action against Bush and USC was widely criticized, resulting in numerous lawsuits. Eventually, the NCAA backed down, and the Heisman Trust returned the trophy to Bush. He was on the sidelines at the Trojans' dramatic opening season victory over LSU on Sept. 1.

USC Trojans | Reggie Bush — © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bush's 2005 campaign for USC was one for the history books. He rushed for 1,740 yards with 16 touchdowns, averaging nearly 9 yards per carry. Also a phenomenal receiver, he racked up 478 receiving yards, with 2 more touchdowns. Furthermore, he was a return specialist and returned a punt for a touchdown. He dominated college football during his junior season, delivering one highlight reel performance after another.

Bush was selected No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 NFL Draft. Following his 11-year professional football career, which included a Super Bowl championship, Bush joined Fox Sports as a college football analyst, along with his former teammate, Leinert.

Dynamic Trojans QB: Caleb Williams

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Williams will make his debut for the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8, when the Bears host the Tennessee Titans. Williams came from Oklahoma to USC with Lincoln Riley in 2022. Wearing jersey No. 13, Williams nearly led the Trojans to the College Football Playoff in his first year with the team, despite the team's porous defense. He torched opposing defenses, throwing for 42 touchdowns and exhibiting elusivity that regularly confounded opposing pass rushers.

Trojans Pay Tribute to Bush, Williams | Retire Jersey numbers — @USC Athletics

USC's linebacker Mason Cobb is wearing the No. 13 jersey this season, but the jersey number will not be worn again by another USC player following Cobb's USC career.

The newly retired (and re-retired) jerseys will be on display in the Coliseum for football fans to see when the Trojans host Utah State on Sept. 7.