Clinton Portis Retires: Redskins Running Back Says He Could Have Been A Terp

Clinton Portis Retires: 'This Game Provided Me With Everything I Ever Wanted'

There were no outrageous costumes worn by Clinton Portis at Redskins Park in Ashburn Thursday. There was the playing of a highlight reel, the unveiling of a LeRoy Neiman painting, and a long speech by the man of the hour, who choked up at several points.

"Hello, world," Portis said by way of an opening. "I really wasn't expecting to get emotional here."

And he was off on a prolonged reminiscence of an NFL career that lasted nine years, seven of which were spent with the Redskins. In the process, Portis thanked almost every major member of the team's front office, including former head coach Joe Gibbs, whom Portis described as "one of my favorite people of all time;" former Redskins general manager Vinny Cerrato; and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, of whom Portis said his first impression was of "a little short man who was cocky." The closest Portis came to fully breaking down was when he thanked the receptionist at Redskins Park, Miss BJ.

"Most of the people that judged me don't know me," Portis said. "And the people that know me, love me."

At the end of the press conference, Snyder announced that Portis would be one of the ten additions to the list of the franchise's greatest players, which is being updated to honor the Redskins' 80th anniversary.

Highlights of the press conference, via CSN Washington, are below.

For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog Hogs Haven.

Clinton Portis Retirement: Running Back Says Goodbye On Twitter

Clinton Portis Retirement Tweet Roundup: Which Character Was Your Favorite?

During the 2005 season Clinton Portis unveiled the first of his many characters on an unsuspecting public. The Redskins were in the midst of a season that would end in a 10-6 record and a win in the NFC Wild Card round, so Portis' masquerades became a delightful subplot to one of Washington's two ten-win seasons since 1991.

So when news came down Thursday that Portis would step away from the NFL game forever, conversation focused on three things.

There was Portis' blocking:

Clinton Portis rushed for almost 10,000 yds & went over 1,000 yds 6 times & yet I'll remember him most for his ferocious blocks. #toughSOB

— Eric Bickel (@EBJunkies) August 21, 2012

There was some discussion of the milestone he just missed out on.

If NFL had a Y10K problem, Clinton Portis would be listed as all-time leading rusher. Finished just 77 yards short of 10,000. Good for 27th.

— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) August 21, 2012

And then there was the character discussion.

My CP character power rankings: 1. Southeast Jerome 2. Coach Janky Spanky 3. Kid Bro Sweets 4. Dr. I Don't Know.#Redskins

— Daniel Shiferaw (@dshif) August 21, 2012

@cindyboren "Dolla Bill" and "Bro Sweets" were among my favs, but I really liked "Coach Janky Spanky."

— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) August 21, 2012

So, who was your favorite?

For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog Hogs Haven.

Clinton Portis Retirement Blog Reaction: 'Great To See Him Retire A Redskin'

Clinton Portis was released by the Washington Redskins on February 28, 2011. In his final season, 2010, Portis played only five games and struggled with abdomen and groin injuries along the way. But ever since he arrived in D.C. via a trade with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2004 season, Portis worked his way into the hearts of Redskins fans as much for his production as for his eccentric press conference characters.

SB Nation's Redskins blog Hogs Haven had the numbers handy, as well as a couple of valedictory thoughts on Portis' career.

Portis spent seven of his nine year career with the Redskins and is the team's second all-time leading rusher, only behind legend John Riggins. Over his seven years Portis ran for over 6,800, had another 1,340 yards receiving, and scored nearly 50 touchdowns.

It's great to see Portis retire as a Redskins [sic] and this likely clears the way for CP to become one of ten additions that will make up the eighty greatest Redskins later this year.

In the comments of that brief post, Hogs Haven writer Kevin Ewoldt left a YouTube video featuring one aspect of Portis' career that earned him near-universal praise: his blocking.

You should probably mute your speakers for this one.

For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog Hogs Haven.

Clinton Portis To Retire: Former Redskins RB To Make Announcement Thursday

Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis will announce his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.