Reggie Bush Talks Awkward Fan Encounters, Says Eagles, Raiders Crowds Are Most Obnoxious
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) - Even after a frustrating fumble at Ford Field Thursday, Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush still managed an overall awesome Thanksgiving weekend.
First of all, he turned around his performance in the holiday game against the Green Bay Packers. It started in about the worst way possible. The Lions were in the red zone, first down on the Green Bay 12-yard line. Bush took the ball, got down to the 7-yard line and then fumbled, turning the ball over on the team's first possession.
The rest of the game, Bush performed much better, racking up 117 yards on 20 carries and 65 more on five catches. His 182 total yards plus a touchdown won him the Thanksgiving Day MVP award - the Galloping Gobbler. While Bush is not sure whether he actually gets the trophy or whether the NFL just etches his name in it, he appreciated the honor.
"I grew up watching obviously the Thanksgiving game and seeing other people get that award," Bush told Stoney and Bill of 97.1 The Ticket. "I actually remember when Dre Bly got that award, that Thanksgiving game. It was pretty cool. That was pretty surreal to be able to be in that position and be able to receive it on behalf of the Lions."
After helping the Lions to that 40-10 win, the first Detroit victory on Thanksgiving since 2003, Bush took his fiancee to Las Vegas for her birthday. He flew in her family and surprised her with flowers and champagne, and the group also took in a Cirque du Soleil show. To say Bush was impressed would be an understatement.
"I saw the Cirque du Soleil show called 'O,'" Bush said. "Amazing. I was blown away. I couldn't believe it. I'm sitting there the whole time like a little kid, just complete wow of all the different things going on.
"The high dive … the guy that's just sitting there on fire reading a newspaper, it's crazy," Bush added. "The show is just ridiculous, probably one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen. When you're sitting there and you're watching it, you're just in such awe because you think about a person actually putting that together, all the different things that go into it. It's incredible."
While it sounded like the trip to Vegas was a huge success, being out and about is sometimes a bit perilous for Bush. Every now and then fans get a little too comfortable when they see him.
"Definitely I've had some at dinner where they kind of reach over your plate and ask you to sign something like as you're eating," Bush said with a laugh. "In the bathrooms – very weird. Sometimes they ask while you're using the bathroom. Yeah I've had that before – like right next to you and they're just holding a conversation with you. It's pretty weird, but it's part of the deal I guess."
On the field, Bush said the most obnoxious fans are probably those of the Philadelphia Eagles, whom the Lions visit this weekend, and those of the Oakland Raiders.
"I remember being in Oakland and we were playing – it was only a preseason game – and they were just going off," Bush said. "They were talking trash to Sean Payton, and they were just calling him all kinds of names. [Jeremy] Shockey was there, I think Shockey had something that had happened, they were talking about him. They know everything about you before you come in. They've got it ready. They've got like a list for each guy, whoever's closest to him. They just go off that list.
"That's just the way it is, but you know what, it makes it sweeter, that much sweeter, when you do win the game," Bush added. "I look forward to playing Philly. I know it's going to be crazy, but it's going to be fun."
