Reggie Bush, whose NCAA violations while a running back at the University of Southern California were at the root of heavy sanctions against his alma mater, will reportedly have his Heisman Trophy stripped by month’s end.

The Heisman Trophy Trust is close to concluding its investigation that has led to the same conclusions as the inquiry by the NCAA,Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday. Bush, now a running back for the New Orleans Saints, would be the first player stripped of college football’s most prestigious trophy in the 75-year history of the award.

Bush met with Heisman officials last month in a New York law office, according to Yahoo! Sports. Instead of passing the trophy along to the 2005 runner-up Vince Young, the former University of Texas quarterback who now plays for the Tennessee Titans, the Heisman Trust will likely leave that season vacant, according to the website.

The NCAA ruled in June that Bush committed several violations while a member of the Trojans, including receiving gifts, cash and other benefits. He was retroactively ruled ineligible for part of the 2004 season and all of the 2005 — the year he won the Heisman.

As a result Bush’s misdeeds and other violations committed by student athletes, the NCAA hit USC’s football program with a two-year postseason ban, reduced scholarships for football and men’s basketball and put the school on probation through June 2014. USC is awaiting on the decision by the Bowl Championship Series on whether its 2004 national title will be vacated.

The school already has returned its copy of the Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trust.

This is huge folks – think about it, even O.J. didn’t have to give his Heisman back.

What’s your opinion on this matter?

[via]