Reggie Bush Learned Business Side of Football from ’06 Draft

Reggie Bush has learned a lot from the business side of football when he got drafted by the New Orleans Saints eight years ago. 

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Bush made this revelation to The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett on Oct. 4:

“Reggie Bush was alone in his New York City hotel room when he heard the news like almost everyone else — on ‘SportsCenter.’

“A Heisman Trophy-winning running back out of USC, Bush was the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 in the 2006 NFL draft. 

“He was one of the most electric players in college football history, part of two of the previous three national championship teams, and all indications were that the Houston Texans were smitten with taking him.

“Bush already started house hunting in the Houston area. He seemed like such a lock, no other NFL team even called to check in with him in the weeks leading up to the draft. 

“‘Literally, no other team contacted me because they all knew I was going to go No. 1,’ Bush recalled this week. ‘That’s what they said. They said, ‘We’re not even going to try.’

“The night before the draft, rumors began to circulate that the (Houston) Texans, with Peyton Manning on their schedule twice a year, preferred pass rusher Mario Williams with the first pick. 

“It seemed like a good negotiating ploy in an era before slotted draft salaries, until a few hours later when Bush watched in stunned disbelief as the bombshell news scrolled across the ticker on his TV.

“‘It was a shock,’ Bush said. ‘But it was my first introduction to the business side of football. On one side I was a little disappointed, but at the same time I got an early introduction to how this business works. And I think that kind of helped me along the way.’

“As unpredictable as the top of the 2006 draft was, 8 1/2 years later there aren’t many complaints from the parties involved. 

“Williams was the right choice, in retrospect. He’s made three Pro Bowls and has 79 career sacks, and after six seasons in Houston he signed one of the richest contracts ever for a defensive player and revitalized his career with the Buffalo Bills. 

“Bush, who got separate phone calls from the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees telling him he’d be the No. 2 pick the night the Williams news broke, won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010 and has had 1,000-yard seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions. 

“Bush said he doesn’t know Williams well and has no personal rivalry with him, but forever linked the two will be on the field together for the fifth time in their careers today when the 3-1 Lions host the 2-2 Bills at Ford Field.

“Williams’ teams are 3-1 in those games, though Bush scored three touchdowns the last time the two met, two years ago in a 24-10 Dolphins victory.

“‘He’s become a great player,’ Bush said. ‘We’ve crossed paths a few times. He’s definitely made a lot of money; last deal was huge. He’s been a solid player on both his teams that he’s played. We’ll see him on Sunday.'”

RB @ReggieBush talks about his health and the overall status of the #Lions‘ run game: http://t.co/CYvNYCpItS pic.twitter.com/OKYpaKf8Mf

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 6, 2014

Unfortunately, the Lions lost to the visiting Bills, 17-14, on Sunday. ESPN Detroit Lions reporter Michael Rothstein points out injuries to several Detroit players — including Bush — played a part in that loss:

“Calvin Johnson was injured. So was Reggie Bush. Joique Bell and supporting players Theo Riddick and Joseph Fauria didn’t even dress for the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

“And while one or two of those losses could be absorbed in an offense built to have a multitude of options for quarterback Matthew Stafford, losing all of them for one game completely changed the complexion and complexity of Detroit’s offense in the 17-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“‘We had our limitations, obviously with personnel,’ Stafford said. ‘But that was a good defense that we played, well-coached and had a good scheme coming in. They have a good front and a good back end. They’re a very well-rounded defense.’ 

“Consider — at one point on Detroit’s final drive it went with a four-receiver, one-tight end package of Corey Fuller, Jeremy Ross, Ryan Broyles, Golden Tate and Brandon Pettigrew. Other than Tate and Pettigrew, none of the players out there have significant late-game experience. 

“That’s what injuries can do. Johnson, who had one target all of Sunday, limped off the field on the second play of the third quarter and did not return. Bush missed the last quarter-and-a-half with an ankle injury. Bell, Riddick and Fauria didn’t even play.

“Caldwell said both Bush and Johnson will be re-evaluated Monday.

“‘It would affect any team really,’ receiver Ross said. ‘Three players getting injured, definitely doesn’t help you.'”

The 29-year-old Bush has rushe for 5,329 yards and 34 touchdowns in 110 career regular-season games with the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions through Oct. 6, per ESPN stats. 

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