Reggie Bush’s return to the Coliseum on Friday night had USC football fans and former players celebrating his presence as well as a win.
If anyone was wondering how USC football fans and former players feel about Reggie Bush, the former Heisman winner who has been indefinitely disassociated from the university, Friday night’s upset win over Utah cleared up any questions.
The Trojan family still loves Reggie.
CHECK OUT: Studs and duds from USC’s upset win over Utah
That was clear as the now-Fox Sports analyst appeared on the sidelines on Friday night as part of his studio broadcast duties with the network. Before the game began, fans in the stands let him know their appreciation for his contributions to Trojan lore by shouting his name and holding up his jersey.
Then during the action, the Coliseum crowd took pleasure in starting multiple “Reggie! Reggie! Reggie” chants.
We have our first “Free Reggie” chant of the evening. Lots of No. 5 jerseys but that’s probably not any different than normal, huh?
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) September 20, 2019
Loud Reggie chant at the Coliseum during halftime.
— Reign of Troy (@ReignofTroy) September 21, 2019
“Reggie, Reggie, Reggie” chants pic.twitter.com/5dOSZ5j3uu
— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) September 21, 2019
Reggie chants again... pic.twitter.com/QLWUHBTelq
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) September 21, 2019
The moment of the night for Bush and USC was Markese Stepp’s touchdown in the fourth quarter. After barreling into the endzone, the bruising running back found his feet and had a moment with the Trojan legend.
https://twitter.com/TevinStuddard/status/1175264580441952256
All-American linebacker Uchenna Nwosu wanted to know why the refs took offense to Stepp’s gesture:
https://twitter.com/UchennaN_42/status/1175259403651387392
He wasn’t alone.
USC getting flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct because a running back scored a touchdown and celebrated with Reggie Bush, I mean, you can't write this stuff.
— Brady McCollough (@BradyMcCollough) September 21, 2019
Tonight we have seen a team return an onside kick attempt for a touchdown after freezing the kicker with a timeout and Reggie Bush causing USC to get a penalty because he came on the field to celebrate a touchdown.
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 21, 2019
And people wonder why I love college football...
This got a flag... but worth it. #FreeReggie https://t.co/3cQHtKP3QP
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) September 21, 2019
Count USC lucky. Reggie Bush celebrating on the field after the TD could've been a violation for every player he came in contact with. Dap, violation. Dap, violation. Instead just a penalty.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) September 21, 2019
The media and fans on Twitter certainly enjoyed the moment:
if this is the lasting image of the 2019 Pac-12 season, well, it could be a helluva lot worse
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 21, 2019
simply spectacular pic.twitter.com/0uQXTVrPwy
Reggie Bush = Good for CFB pic.twitter.com/biujYAqUwu
— Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) September 21, 2019
By the game’s end, Trojan players were paying tribute to Bush and he to them:
#USC’s players gave Reggie Bush the fight on while exiting the field. Bush pointed back at them: pic.twitter.com/l4QERQ5aaN
— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) September 21, 2019
Bush’s backfield partner LenDale White used an emoji to express his feelings on the No. 5’s return to the Coliseum:
https://twitter.com/thereal_lendale/status/1175261982301159425
All-American safety Taylor Mays and former USC linebacker Olajuwon Tucker kept it simple with a hashtag:
https://twitter.com/STaylorMays/status/1175273783491321856
https://twitter.com/BThree4/status/1175274629759242240
All-American defensive lineman also made good use of the #FreeReggie movement but had more to add:
Was good seeing the bro @ReggieBush tonight in the Coliseum. Very happy he got that opportunity.#FreeReggie #FightOn
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) September 21, 2019
These kids need to see Reg man. He was a great teammate and helluva hard worker. Nobody talked about how he used to lift with the lineman. Was first in the sprints. Great student...we miss that swag https://t.co/OOOUbvDzbf
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) September 21, 2019
Former Trojan linebacker Scott Felix also jumped in with that message:
https://twitter.com/scottstarrfelix/status/1175265554711465984
Terrell Thomas, former USC cornerback, retweeted this Barstool SC tweet:
Reggie Bush still loves this school
— Barstool SC (@BarstoolSC) September 21, 2019
That’s what makes it so heartbreaking man... #FreeReggieBush
Good feelings were all around when it came to Bush’s return to the Coliseum sidelines.
Watching Reggie Bush back on the field tonight at the Coliseum honestly made me so happy. It’s hard for outsiders to understand the significance of this, but it’s indescribably special. I’m going to remember this night forever. #FightOn
— VF (@TheVFCastro) September 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/Antgoes2work/status/1175284209516048385
Petition to have Reggie Bush at every USC game.
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) September 21, 2019
I dont care if you dont root for USC, it was awesome to see Reggie Bush back and be loved so much. He is the most amazing college football player I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Lx6s0uGm3T
— Brandon Sprague (@BrandonSprague) September 21, 2019
There is no NCAA as we know it today without Reggie Bush
— Barstool SC (@BarstoolSC) September 21, 2019
He is the most influential running back since Bo Jackson, if not ever.
He made the NCAA hundreds of millions of dollars.
He is a hero of the sport and it’s the most shameful yet easily correctable situation in CFB
The next question is, when will the NCAA let him do that again?