Reggie Bush Attempts to Put Turbulent Offseason Behind Him

Reggie Bush Attempts to Put Turbulent Offseason Behind Him

It has been quite the 2010 calendar year for Reggie Bush. The New Orleans Saints running back had his worst year in terms of yardage (both rushing and receiving) but finished with a Super Bowl ring on his finger in his fourth NFL season. Then, during the offseason, he and USC were put through the NCAA ringer with the Trojans receiving a postseason ban, among other penalties. Eventually, the Trojans cut ties with Bush, handing back their copy of the Heisman Trophy. Now, with camp back in session, Bush is doing all he can to put the USC situation behind him while looking for a surge in productivity during a bid to repeat as Super Bowl champion. Reggie Bush joined WWL in New Orleans with Kristian Garic to discuss the support he’s received in New Orleans, his health and establishing himself as a weapon for the Saints.

On how the support in New Orleans helps him separate his NFL career from his collegiate career:

“From Day One, since I arrived, the fans have embraced me and they’ve been nothing but supportive and that’s what, I think, pushed me and driven me to just be the best I can be on the football field and just be a huge part of this community day-in and day-out. I think we have the greatest fans here, the greatest fan base, and they’re the reason why we go out every day and do what we do.”

On how that fan base got him through the USC tribulations this offseason:

“It means a lot. Definitely when you’re going through tough situations like I went through, it’s tough. Any time you have such a strong supporting cast and your fans, it makes you feel better. Like I said, that’s the reason why I love New Orleans so much.”

On a healthy offseason:

“It’s been two years since I’ve had a healthy offseason so it felt great to not be in the training room and not rehabbing all offseason and just being able to enjoy my offseason somewhat. It’s definitely helped bring me some piece of mind. As athletes, the biggest thing we have on our side is self-confidence. Any time you’re injured and you’re not 100 percent, you don’t fully have your self-confidence.”

On whether he’s establishing himself as a leader going into his fifth NFL season:

“I definitely think so. Just being here and being in the system for my fifth year, being here in New Orleans, being around the fans, the city, the NFL, I’m definitely starting to establish myself more as a leader. I lead by example and I’m just trying to do everything I can to help bring these young guys along because I was once in their shoes.”

On how the offense will be different this year from last year’s Super Bowl championship team:

“I would say we’re more mature. We’re going, for the most part, our offense has been together for all of Coach [Sean] Payton’s reign here. With Drew [Brees] as our quarterback and just being in this system four years and having won a Super Bowl under this system and knowing what works and what doesn’t work, it definitely has allowed us to mature.”

On how he’s gotten better this offseason:

“I would say maturity, just starting with maturity, being more mature and just taking everything with a grain of salt and focusing on the task at hand. … Just kind of taking all that and just molding it into myself and getting ready to embark on this run to hopefully another Super Bowl.”