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.