Reggie Bush: "I've Never Been Benched In My Life"

Reggie Bush is no stranger to the NFL spotlight. An abysmal effort by the entire Miami Dolphins team on Sunday was headlined by Bush being benched after a fumble early in the first quarter until the middle of the third quarter. When Bush returned, the contest was 31-3 in favor of the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Sunday’s fumble makes it two for Bush in the last three weeks, and Bush has struggled since rushing for 302 yards on 50 carries and two touchdowns in the Dolphins’ first three games.  After week three, Bush has had 76 carries for just 252 yards. Many believe Bush’s injured knee suffered in week 3 is more sever than he claims.

Nonetheless, Bush handled the benching like  in a professional manner and owned up to his fumbling this season. “It was a rough day. I fumbled the ball. That’s something as a leader & veteran of the team I can’t do.” Dolphins Coach Joe Philbin has caught a little bit of flack for the benching but stands firm that Bush is not in a doghouse of any kind.

All too often, athletes place blame on the head coach, assistant coaches or surrounding players. To hear Bush’s comments make him sound like someone you want to see succeed. In his seventh NFL season, Bush has encountered plenty of controversy and most of its self-warranted. But, Bush has seven more games to regain the early success he had early in 2012.

This Thursday  Bush will have plenty of opportunity to redeem himself against a Buffalo Bills defense that has yielded the most rushing yards in the NFL this season.

The 4-5 Dolphins are going to need Bush’s production if they have any hopes at capturing a Wild Card birth in 2012.