Reggie Bush: We've Done Absolutely Nothing Wrong

April 26, 2006 — -- In the best of circumstances, the much-anticipated No. 1 pick in Saturday's NFL draft may be a bit on edge.

Gridiron phenom Reggie Bush, though, is grabbing headlines for something other than his on-the-field prowess, and that's got more than nerves in motion.

Pac-10 College conference commissioners are investigating the circumstances surrounding the former USC running back's mother and stepfather renting a spacious new home from a prospective sports marketer.

Heisman Trophy trustees are also doing some "soul searching." Bush received the award, which goes to college football's most-outstanding player, after he rushed 187 times for 1,658 yards and 15 touchdowns, and caught 31 passes to score two additional touchdowns, during the regular season.

Today, the Houston Texans organization, which is expected to select Bush with the first pick in Saturday's draft, is "trying to get to the bottom of this."

"At this time, the general manager, the coaches, the player personnel staff are just trying to get information," according to Texans' spokesman Tony Wyllie.

With so much at stake, the months and weeks leading up to the draft are characteristically intense -- whether there is player controversy or not, Wyllie said.

"Our organization researches everything. We check performance on and off the field. Character, mental capacity -- everything is questioned before a draft pick. It's a major investment in building a championship team," he said.

The NFL defers to team assessments leading up to the draft.

"A whole variety of issues may concern an individual team," said league spokesman Jon Zimmer. "Until a player's drafted, the NFL has no real jurisdiction. There's no real issue created by the Bush controversy. Nothing illegal has occurred."

The controversy concerns a 3,000-square-foot home rented by Denise and LaMar Griffin in Spring Valley, Calif., just outside San Diego, where Bush was a high school standout. The $757,000 house is owned by businessman Michael Michaels who reportedly had plans to set up a sports marketing company built around the marquee college star-turned-pro.

That kind of arrangement could be considered an "extra benefit" and a violation of NCAA rules.

However, Michaels' plans appear to have evaporated after the Rose Bowl game in January when the 21-year-old announced he was forgoing his senior year at the University of Southern California and going pro. Bush then chose agent Joel Segal to represent him in the draft.