Catchin' Ls: A History of Heisman Winners Who Lost Their Trophies
Image via Complex Original
Catchin' Ls: A History of Heisman Winners Who Lost Their Trophies
Yesterday, USC said it would give back Reggie Bush
Larry Kelley, Yale
Year won: 1936
How he lost it: After suffering a stroke, Kelley sold his trophy in 1999 for $328,000 to benefit his 18 nieces and nephews. Less than a year after his stroke and sale of the trophy, Kelly committed suicide.
Complex says: Say what you want about how it ended, but Kelley was a Yale grad, Heisman winner, and he looked out for the fam
Bruce Smith, Minnesota
Year won: 1941
How he lost it: Decades after Smith's death from cancer, his widow auctioned off the Heismnan for a record $395,000, saying, "I can say goodbye [to the trophy], and I feel good about it."
Complex says: Damn, nearly 400 grand? We
Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame
Year won: 1953
How he lost it: Lattner kept his Heisman on display in the steakhouse he opened in 1962. Six years later, he lost the restaurant and his trophy in an electrical fire. Afterward, Lattner had to show proof of the trophy's damage before having it replaced by the Downtown Athletic Club.
Complex says: How dare they ask him for proof—don
O.J. Simpson, USC
Year won: 1968
How he lost it: The Juice lost his trophy in 1999 as part of the $33 million civil trial settlement after being found liable for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Liable, not guilty. Because he was civilly responsible for it...without actually killing them, apparently. Ain't the legal system grand?
Complex says: Considering that he miraculously avoided someone turning his tight end into a wide receiver in prison (OJaaaaaayo!), we don
Charles White, USC
Year won: 1979
How he lost it: Despite making it to the NFL and playing for eight seasons, White had to sell his trophy for $184,000 in 2000 to help pay tax debts.
Complex says: White also admitted to cocaine use during his career. Black players messing with that white girl and losing their Heisman trophies? Yeah, sounds like good ol' USC to us.
Reggie Bush, USC
Year won: 2005
How he lost it: After the NCAA imposed sanctions on USC as punishment for Reggie Bush receiving gifts from agent Michael Michaels during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Trojans agreed to return Bush's Heisman.
Complex says: We think Reggie will get over it considering the fact that he's suffered bigger losses—like Kim Kardashian's ass.
