USC football: Pat Haden says USC returning Grantland Rice Trophy

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USC Athletic Director Pat Haden announced that the school was in the process of returning the 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy that was stripped from the Trojans by the Football Writers Assn. of America.

This is the first time a school has had to vacate the championship.

‘Due to the NCAA penalties, we understand the actions taken by the Football Writers Association of America, and we will abide by that ruling,’ Haden said in a statement posted on the school’s website. ‘While we know that some fans and former student-athletes may be disappointed, our central priority at this time is our overall commitment to compliance and this action is in line with the standards we have set for our entire athletic program.’

USC has already removed Reggie Bush‘s 2005 Heisman Trophy from Heritage Hall.

We’ll have more later at latimes.com/sports

-- Gary Klein