Ornstein says Bush — who will indeed wear No. 5 when he practices for the first time with the Saints at a weekend minicamp — is so serious about not parting with the number that he will pledge 25% of his proceeds from jersey sales to Katrina relief.

Players get 6% of the amount for each jersey sold, which, according to Ornstein, netted No. 1-ranked Randy Moss and other top sellers more than $1.5 million each last year.

If Bush's shirts are similarly hot, the Katrina donation could be in the $400,000 range.

The NFL likely will not make a specific exemption allowing Bush to wear his college jersey No. 5 in the NFL. But the league's jersey numbering system is on the competition committee's agenda, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello.