Detroit Lions: What is Reggie Bush’s Legacy?
Reggie Bush signed with the Detroit Lions back in 2013 after he spent time with both the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. The Lions needed a dynamic running back to help fuel their high-powered passing attack and Bush seemed like the perfect fit. After spending nine years in professional football, it is time to start thinking about what kind of legacy Bush will have when he decides to retire one day.
Bush is traditionally bigger than your average NFL running back, standing in at 6’0″ and 200 pounds, making him a practical threat out of the backfield as a receiver. If there is one thing that always stood out about Bush, it was his quick feet and terrific speed.
Even back at the University of Southern California, Bush turned many heads and claimed the Heisman Trophy in 2005. Due to issues with USC as a whole though, Bush voluntarily gave up his trophy when news that he received improper benefits during college put himself and his school in hot water.
Once the dust settled from the issues from his college day’s, Bush thought he would try the NFL and hope to start fresh. Bush’s dream of playing professional football became a reality when New Orleans drafted him with the second pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.
Bush spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Saints and even captured a Super Bowl title in 2009. While playing in New Orleans, Bush spent time at both running back and punt returner. It seemed very fitting that his first NFL touchdown would come off an incredible 65-yard punt return. On top of his dynamic return skills, Bush found the end zone 17 times on the ground and another 12 times through the air. These numbers are certainly nothing to write home about, but it did give him the ability to get his feet wet in the NFL.
Problems began to arise for Bush as he started to develop a bad name for himself on the field as a fumbler. During his first five NFL seasons, Bush fumbled the ball 19 times. He worst season came in 2007 when he put the ball on the ground eight times. Thankfully for Bush, he has not had a season that bad since, but his fumbling issue does still continue. The second-worst year for fumbles by Bush came in 2013 when he fumbled five times. Some players just have a harder time holding onto the ball.
Once his time in New Orleans concluded, Bush took his talents to South Beach and signed with the Dolphins. For the first time since coming into the league, Bush played 15 games at running back and rushed for over 1,000 yards, adding six rushing touchdowns on top of that. The following year, Bush just missed a repeat performance in yardage, as he ran for 986 yards and six touchdowns.
The former USC graduate found himself changing scenery once more in 2013 when the Lions decided to sign him. Similar to his first season with the Dolphins, Bush cruised for over 1,000 yards in his first season in the Motor City. Unfortunately for the Lions however, he still could not get into the end zone consistently, scoring just seven total times in 2013, combining receiving and rushing touchdowns.
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Looking back to last season, Bush struggled with injuries and only managed to appear in 11 games. Detroit still managed to find their way into the playoffs and almost win the NFC North but just fell short against the Green Bay Packers. Bush ran for a second-worst career yards by only accumulating 297 yards in 2014.
With Bush heading into this 10th season in the NFL, what exactly can be deduced about him as a player?
Several key items. It is known that when fully healthy, he can tear up the field. He struggles with fumbling consistently. His one Super Bowl ring gives him some credibility as a player. Unfortunately though, do not expect to see Bush on a Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot in the future.
His production on the field has never been to the same level as the NFL’s best running backs and frankly, it never will be. Bush is a good player, but his consistent inconsistency throughout his career has forever plagued him from any type of post-playing days recognition.