Sunday night, the NFL's New Orleans Saints wrapped up an impressive 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts to clinch their first ever Super Bowl, and thus, causing Bourbon Street to explode in pandemonium. But thousands of miles away here on the left coast in Los Angeles, many USC football fans joined the "Who Dat Nation" in celebration as former Trojan running back Reggie Bush played a role in the team's victory.
But even with so many members of the Trojan Family celebrating Bush's contribution toward the Saints' Super Bowl win, I can't help but sit back and laugh. Personally, I would consider myself a fan of the Heisman Trophy winner. After growing up a USC football fan in Los Angeles while watching the Trojans reel off 34 straight victories with Bush in the backfield, how could I not be? But nevertheless, the fact that so many Trojan fans are running around Southern California proclaiming that "Reggie won the Super Bowl" is a tad bit misleading.
In all honesty, Bush was hardly a factor in the game. There were no breathtaking punt returns. No breakaway touchdown runs. No highlight reel jukes. By all accounts, it was a rather vanilla performance by number twenty-five, and you don't have to go further than the stat sheet to understand that. Take a look:
- 5 carries, 25 yards, 5.0 yards/carry, 0 touchdowns (Bush actually averaged 3.25 yards/carry if you subtract his one long run of 12 yards)
- 4 receptions, 38 yards, 9.5 yards/catch, 0 touchdowns
- 1 punt return, 4 yards
