Heisman Trophy to reinstate integrity as key criterion for 2024 award

The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually, will announce its 2024 winner on December 14. The award's criteria previously included "integrity," but this was removed in 2014 amid controversies involving players' character. The Heisman Trust has since stated that integrity will be reinstated in its mission statement. Reggie Bush, who forfeited his 2005 Heisman due to NCAA sanctions, had his trophy reinstated in 2024. This change follows new rules allowing college athletes to earn from endorsements, which Bush was accused of violating. The Heisman Trust now also presents a Humanitarian Award. Critics argue that the Heisman should consider players' character alongside performance. They believe that removing integrity from the award diminishes its significance, reducing it to a mere statistics-based accolade. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of integrity in college sports.