Portis settles contract dispute over number

The contract dispute between football players Clinton Portis and former Washington Redskins teammate Ifeanyi Ohalete has settled on the eve of trial.  Portis agreed to pay $18,000 of the $20,000 that Ohalete claimed was still owed him.

When star running back Portis signed with the Redskins, he wanted to wear the same number, 26, he had worn with the Denver Broncos.  But that number was already being worn by journeyman safety Ohalete.  Portis agreed to pay Ohalete $40,000 for the rights to the number—$20,000 up front and the remainder in two installments.  When the Skins cut Ohalete shortly thereafter, Portis, who figured he would have got number 26 anyway, refused to pay the remainder of the compensation.