In a monumental and highly anticipated move, Joey Harrington, former Oregon Ducks quarterback and one of college football’s most electrifying players in the early 2000s, is set to be reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner. The announcement comes after years of speculation, legal battles, and public debate over the legitimacy of the award, which has long been seen as one of the most prestigious individual honors in college sports.
Harrington, who made an indelible impact on the Oregon football program during his time in Eugene, will now officially be recognized as the Heisman winner for the 2005 season, a title that was initially awarded to USC’s Reggie Bush but has been vacated following NCAA sanctions.
This decision to reinstate Harrington as the rightful winner of the 2005 Heisman marks a turning point in college football history, with major implications for the sport’s integrity and the legacy of players who have been caught in the crossfire of NCAA investigations. It also serves as a pivotal moment for Harrington’s personal legacy, one that has been clouded by controversy but now stands as a testament to his talent and resilience.
The Heisman Trophy Controversy
The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the best player in college football, and for many years, the 2005 Heisman race has been one of the most contentious in the history of the award. The original winner, Reggie Bush, was a dynamic and transformative player for USC, leading the Trojans to national prominence with his incredible speed, agility, and versatility. However, after an NCAA investigation revealed that Bush had received improper benefits during his time at USC, the Heisman Trust made the unprecedented decision to vacate his 2005 Heisman win in 2010.
This left a void in the award, as the Heisman Trophy was officially considered “unclaimed” for that year. Many college football fans, analysts, and players believed that Harrington—who finished a close second in the 2005 Heisman voting—was the rightful heir to the title, having led the Ducks to a strong season, including a 10-2 record and a memorable performance in the Pac-10 Championship. Harrington’s poise, leadership, and outstanding performance as Oregon’s dual-threat quarterback were undeniable, and many believed that he had done enough to earn the sport’s most coveted individual award.
The Reinstatement: A Long Time Coming
For years, calls to have Harrington recognized as the 2005 Heisman winner grew louder. Fans, players, and analysts alike argued that the omission of a true successor to Bush was an injustice, and many viewed Harrington as the logical choice to step into the role. The reinstatement of Harrington as the 2005 Heisman winner has been the subject of public petitions and social media campaigns, with many of Oregon’s loyal supporters and former players rallying around the idea.
Joey Harrington himself had been relatively quiet about the controversy over the years, focusing on his post-football career as a broadcaster and businessman. However, in recent months, he began speaking more publicly about his desire to see the award restored to its rightful place and acknowledged his role in college football history. With this new development, Harrington has expressed immense gratitude and humility, acknowledging the incredible honor of being recognized as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner.
“It’s surreal. It’s been a long time coming, and while I’ve always felt proud of the work we did in 2005, it’s nice to finally have this chapter of college football history settled,” Harrington said in a statement. “The Heisman is a symbol of all the hard work and sacrifices made by not just me but my teammates, coaches, and the incredible fans who supported us. I’m thankful to everyone who believed in me and Oregon football.”
The 2005 Heisman Race: A Historic Season
To fully understand the impact of this reinstatement, it’s important to revisit the 2005 Heisman race and the remarkable season that led to Harrington’s near-victory. While Bush’s play was nothing short of spectacular, Harrington’s performance for the Oregon Ducks in the 2005 season was equally deserving of recognition.
Harrington threw for 3,352 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions that season, while also rushing for another 400 yards and 6 touchdowns. His dual-threat abilities made him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation, and his leadership was key to Oregon’s success that year. He finished second in the Heisman voting, narrowly losing to Bush, but it was clear to many that Harrington had done everything in his power to claim the honor.
One of the defining moments of Harrington’s season came in a thrilling game against Oregon State, where he orchestrated a game-winning drive that sealed the Ducks’ victory in the Civil War rivalry. This performance, along with his consistent excellence throughout the season, endeared him to Ducks fans and college football enthusiasts nationwide.
The NCAA and Heisman Trust Response
The reinstatement of Harrington as the 2005 Heisman winner comes after an extensive review by the NCAA and the Heisman Trust. The decision reflects a shifting view of what constitutes a true and deserving Heisman winner. The Heisman Trust, in its official statement, confirmed that Joey Harrington’s performance during the 2005 season meets the criteria for the award and that no other player’s performance that year is deemed to have surpassed his.
“We are pleased to formally recognize Joey Harrington as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner,” said Heisman Trust Chairman Michael O’Brien. “While the circumstances surrounding the original awarding of the trophy were unprecedented, we believe that Joey Harrington’s exceptional skill, leadership, and achievements on the field during the 2005 season make him the rightful recipient of this prestigious honor.”
Impact on the College Football Community
The reinstatement of Harrington as the 2005 Heisman winner will have ripple effects across the college football landscape. It represents a rare acknowledgment of an oversight that, for many, had cast a shadow over a historic season. It also gives a much-needed moment of validation to a player whose legacy had been somewhat overshadowed by the drama surrounding Bush’s vacated Heisman.
For Oregon, this reinstatement represents a moment of pride for the program and its fans. Harrington’s legacy has long been one of the most important in the history of Oregon football, and this recognition solidifies his place among the greats in the college football pantheon. Oregon fans, who have always celebrated their program’s achievements, now have even more to celebrate with the official recognition of Harrington’s incredible 2005 season.
A Well-Deserved Honor
Joey Harrington’s reinstatement as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner is a victory not only for him but for college football’s commitment to fairness and the pursuit of excellence. In a sport that is constantly evolving, it is important to recognize the achievements of players who defined their eras, and Harrington’s recognition is long overdue. His determination, skill, and leadership were deserving of the Heisman honor in 2005, and now, after almost two decades, the award has finally been rightfully restored to its true winner.