One of the greatest football players the city of Louisville and Commonwealth of Kentucky has ever produced is set to be inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Not only will he be inducted, but he will headline the Class of 2022. Former Male High School, University of Louisville, and NFL running back Michael Bush will take his place among the greatest athletes and coaches in the pantheon of the Commonwealth of Kentucky athletics.
Bush was a star QB at Male High that was courted by some of the best of the best college programs in the nation. He played in one of the greatest high school games in KY history against his eventual team mate Brian Brohm and Trinity. It was the 2002 state title game which Male eventually lost the game 59-56. Bush threw for 468 yards and 6 TDs and ran for 116 yards and 1 TD. He had a performance for the ages. Bush also won that season’s KY Mr. Football award.
Eventually, Bush turned down all the higher profile schools and chose to continue his football career with his hometown university, the University of Louisville. In 4 seasons as a Cardinal, Bush rushed for 2508 yards and 39 TDs, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. He also had 651 yards receiving and 2 TDs.
His best season was his junior year. In just 10 games, Bush rushed for 1143 yards and a whopping 23 TDs. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry. He also had 253 yards receiving and caught 1 TD.
This set up a senior season where Bush was considered one of the best, if not the best, RBs in college football. There was major Heisman hype for the Louisville native. Many a fan believed Bush could easily break the 30 TD barrier and possibly rush for over 2000 yards. In the first game of that 2006 season, Michael Bush immediately announced his presence with authority. Against rival uk, Bush had a first half that was insane. He rushed for 124 yards and 3 TDs in the 59-28 victory. It was what many UofL fans believed was the beginning of Michael Bush’s march to the Heisman and the Cards march to a championship.
Unfortunately, early in the 3rd quarter, Bush broke his leg and it ended his UofL career. It was a hugely sad moment for Bush, his team mates, the fans, and the city. Everyone loved Bush and to see that happen was devastating. He is still one of the top RBs to ever put on a Cardinal uniform.
Bush did get eventually get drafted into the NFL despite the injury. He was drafted in the 4th Round by the Oakland Raiders. He played 6 seasons in the league primarily with Oakland. He also played 2 seasons with Chicago and 1 with Arizona. He ended his NFL career with 3250 yards rushing and 29 TDs and 1010 yards receiving and 1 TD.
Now, he goes into the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. Joining him in this year’s class will be uk AD Mitch Barnhart, former uk athletic administrator and pioneer for girl’s and women’s participation in athletics Sue Feamster, and former basketball star for Male High, Kentucky Wesleyan University, and the Harlem Globetrotters Dallas Thornton. The inductees were selected by a panel of 17 sports media members from around the Commonwealth and a Bygone Era selection team.
For more information on when and where the induction ceremony will be held and other details, check out the tweet below:
A Louisville Legend joins the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame!
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) May 19, 2022
Congrats @michaelbush29!
📝: https://t.co/rlxZAzuxtZ#GoCards pic.twitter.com/Vcts141QJI
