Associated Press
Saturday, September 16, 2006

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush insisted yesterday that he and his family have done nothing wrong, responding to allegations that they accepted gifts, money and other benefits worth more than $100,000 from two marketing agents during his career at Southern California.

"I'm not worried about any of these allegations or anything like that, because I know what the truth is, like I said from Day One," Bush said after a Saints practice. "Once the smoke clears, everybody's going to see we did nothing wrong."

Yahoo.com reported Thursday that Michael Michaels, a marketing agency investor who wanted to represent the Heisman Trophy winner, and current Bush marketing agent Mike Ornstein supplied Bush and his family with gifts while he was still at USC.

Each hoped to represent Bush once he left school. Bush eventually chose Ornstein, which caused a falling out between Michaels and Bush's family.

Any improper benefits could lead to NCAA sanctions against USC and retroactively cost Bush his college eligibility and Heisman Trophy.

Bush, the second overall pick in the NFL draft last April, said he has been in touch with USC officials.

Saints wide receiver Joe Horn defended his teammate.

"I don't think Reggie did that, but if he did, I would have done it, too," Horn said. "And guess what? Eighty percent of the college athletes that don't have much when they're in college get money, too. So they should ban all of them. They should go after everybody. Don't just go after Reggie because he's Reggie Bush."

· STEELERS: Though quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't miss a practice all week as he recovers from an appendectomy, he remains questionable for the Steelers' Monday night game at Jacksonville.

All-pro safety Troy Polamalu (shoulder), listed as questionable earlier in the week, was upgraded to probable after practicing for three consecutive days.

· PANTHERS: Wide receiver Steve Smith missed practice again because of a hamstring injury and is questionable for Carolina's game at Minnesota this weekend.

· BUCCANEERS: Running back Carnell Williams returned to practice and said he doesn't think back spasms will prevent him from playing for Tampa Bay against Atlanta tomorrow.