SB Nation DC - Clinton Portis Retires: 'This Game Provided Me With Everything I Ever Wanted'https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-08-23T15:45:38-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30225272012-08-23T15:45:38-04:002012-08-23T15:45:38-04:00Clinton Portis Retires: Redskins Running Back Says He Could Have Been A Terp
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwuch2iziZTZ9A5g5Qh4aedTvcY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828113/large_dc.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>During the stream-of-consciousness performance that was his retirement press conference Thursday, <span>Clinton Portis</span> let slip an interesting anecdote: he had, at one point, decided to play football at the University of Maryland. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/redskins-watch/2012/aug/23/clinton-portis-wanted-go-maryland-miami-redskins/">Steve Whyno of <i>The Washington Times</i></a> picks up the story.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I just remember telling my mom that I'm going to college and I'm going to the University of Maryland," he said. "From that point on, she didn't answer a University of Maryland football call, she threw away all the mail. And I walked into house and I said, 'Did any of the coaches call?' And she said, 'Yeah, Miami.' I said, 'That's it? That's the only team that called?' She said, 'That's the only one that I can remember.' "</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Such skulduggery from Mama Portis! But wait, let's go back and take a look at the records. The years between 1999 and 2001 saw the final two years of the Ron Vanderlinden era in College Park (combined record: 10-12, 5-11 ACC), and the <i>annus mirabilis </i>of Ralph Friedgen's first year (10-2, 7-1 ACC). By contrast, the U went 9-4, 11-1, and 12-0 with a national championship in Portis' three years. </p>
<p>So maybe Momma Portis knew what she was doing. That is, of course, if you believe this story in the first place. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3263400/clinton-portis-retires-washington-redskins-maryland-terrapinsSamuel Chamberlain2012-08-23T15:15:02-04:002012-08-23T15:15:02-04:00Clinton Portis Retires: 'This Game Provided Me With Everything I Ever Wanted'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwuch2iziZTZ9A5g5Qh4aedTvcY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828113/large_dc.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>There were no outrageous costumes worn by <span>Clinton Portis</span> at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a> 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.</p>
<p>"Hello, world," Portis said by way of an opening. "I really wasn't expecting to get emotional here."</p>
<p>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 <span>Joe Gibbs</span>, 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.</p>
<p>"Most of the people that judged me don't know me," Portis said. "And the people that know me, love me."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Highlights of the press conference, <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/pages/video?PID=H54QJ28zXCqq1mb4xxpefofVU1VUggII">via CSN Washington</a>, are below. </p>
<p><iframe id="embed" src="http://www.csnwashington.com/embedplayer?embed=1&PID=H54QJ28zXCqq1mb4xxpefofVU1VUggII" frameborder="0" width="600" height="379" scrolling="no"></iframe> <br id="1345756477491"></p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog <a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;">Hogs Haven</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3263252/clinton-portis-retires-washington-redskinsSamuel Chamberlain2012-08-23T13:00:44-04:002012-08-23T13:00:44-04:00Clinton Portis Retirement: Running Back Says Goodbye On Twitter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwuch2iziZTZ9A5g5Qh4aedTvcY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828113/large_dc.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A formal press conference announcing the retirement of <span>Clinton Portis</span> from the NFL is not due to be held for another 90 minutes or so. </p>
<p>However, the former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> running back has already taken to his Twitter account to say a more informal goodbye to professional football, and we're not going to lie, it's kind of moving. </p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Time%20to%20walk%20the%20green%20mile,%20spent%20half%20my%20life%20on%20the%20gridiron%20never%20figured%20i%20would%20get%20butterflies%20preparing%20to%20walk%20away</p>%E2%80%94%20Clinton%20Portis%20(@TheRealC_Portis)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238676522561593344%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-23T16:38:12+00:00%22>August%2023,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Time to walk the green mile, spent half my life on the gridiron never figured i would get butterflies preparing to walk away</p>
— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238676522561593344" data-datetime="2012-08-23T16:38:12+00:00">August 23, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Thanks%20to%20all%20my%20fans,%20haters,%20friends,%20family%20and%20teammates.%20This%20game%20wouldn't%20have%20been%20the%20same%20w/o%20you%20all.</p>%E2%80%94%20Clinton%20Portis%20(@TheRealC_Portis)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238676831006494720%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-23T16:39:25+00:00%22>August%2023,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Thanks to all my fans, haters, friends, family and teammates. This game wouldn't have been the same w/o you all.</p>
— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238676831006494720" data-datetime="2012-08-23T16:39:25+00:00">August 23, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>I%20still%20here%20the%20voices,%20not%20good%20enough,%20to%20small,%20bad%20attitude,%20injury%20prone,%20scat%20back,%20can't%20catch,%20not%20coach%20able%20,%20party%20animal</p>%E2%80%94%20Clinton%20Portis%20(@TheRealC_Portis)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238677246934654976%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-23T16:41:04+00:00%22>August%2023,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I still here the voices, not good enough, to small, bad attitude, injury prone, scat back, can't catch, not coach able , party animal</p>
— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238677246934654976" data-datetime="2012-08-23T16:41:04+00:00">August 23, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>15%20yrs%20later%20no%20arrest,%20no%20drugs,%209yrs%20in%20NFL,%202%20pro%20bowls,%20over%2050%20TKO's,%20a%20couple%20dollars,%2075TDS,%20why%20not%20now%20out%20gracefully%20%F0%9F%98%98</p>%E2%80%94%20Clinton%20Portis%20(@TheRealC_Portis)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238677885836197888%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-23T16:43:37+00:00%22>August%2023,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>15 yrs later no arrest, no drugs, 9yrs in NFL, 2 pro bowls, over 50 TKO's, a couple dollars, 75TDS, why not now out gracefully </p>
— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/238677885836197888" data-datetime="2012-08-23T16:43:37+00:00">August 23, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Bless. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/8/23/3262998/clinton-portis-retirement-twitter-washington-redskinsSamuel Chamberlain2012-08-21T16:08:38-04:002012-08-21T16:08:38-04:00Clinton Portis Retirement Tweet Roundup: Which Character Was Your Favorite?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwuch2iziZTZ9A5g5Qh4aedTvcY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828113/large_dc.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>During the 2005 season <span>Clinton Portis</span> unveiled the <a href="http://amog.com/sports/clinton-portis-disguise-masked-man/">first of his many characters</a> on an unsuspecting public. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> 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. </p>
<p>So when news came down Thursday that Portis would step away from the NFL game forever, conversation focused on three things.</p>
<p>There was Portis' blocking: </p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Clinton%20Portis%20rushed%20for%20almost%2010,000%20yds%20&%20went%20over%201,000%20yds%206%20times%20&%20yet%20I'll%20remember%20him%20most%20for%20his%20ferocious%20blocks.%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23toughSOB%22><s>#</s><b>toughSOB</b></a></p>%E2%80%94%20Eric%20Bickel%20(@EBJunkies)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/EBJunkies/status/237998801833586688%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-21T19:45:10+00:00%22>August%2021,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>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. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23toughSOB"><s>#</s><b>toughSOB</b></a></p>
— Eric Bickel (@EBJunkies) <a href="https://twitter.com/EBJunkies/status/237998801833586688" data-datetime="2012-08-21T19:45:10+00:00">August 21, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>There was some discussion of the milestone he just missed out on.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>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.</p>
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP/status/237996181303721984" data-datetime="2012-08-21T19:34:46+00:00">August 21, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>And then there was the character discussion. </p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>My%20CP%20character%20power%20rankings:%201.%20Southeast%20Jerome%202.%20Coach%20Janky%20Spanky%203.%20Kid%20Bro%20Sweets%204.%20Dr.%20I%20Don't%20Know.<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Redskins%22><s>#</s><b>Redskins</b></a></p>%E2%80%94%20Daniel%20Shiferaw%20(@dshif)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/dshif/status/237998745504079872%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-21T19:44:57+00:00%22>August%2021,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>My CP character power rankings: 1. Southeast Jerome 2. Coach Janky Spanky 3. Kid Bro Sweets 4. Dr. I Don't Know.<a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Redskins"><s>#</s><b>Redskins</b></a></p>
— Daniel Shiferaw (@dshif) <a href="https://twitter.com/dshif/status/237998745504079872" data-datetime="2012-08-21T19:44:57+00:00">August 21, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22%20data-in-reply-to=%22237993307484069888%22><p><a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/cindyboren%22><s>@</s><b>cindyboren</b></a>%20%22Dolla%20Bill%22%20and%20%22Bro%20Sweets%22%20were%20among%20my%20favs,%20but%20I%20really%20liked%20%22Coach%20Janky%20Spanky.%22</p>%E2%80%94%20Joseph%20White%20Jr.%20(@JGWhiteAP)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP/status/237997895507398656%22%20data-datetime=%222012-08-21T19:41:34+00:00%22>August%2021,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="237993307484069888">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/cindyboren"><s>@</s><b>cindyboren</b></a> "Dolla Bill" and "Bro Sweets" were among my favs, but I really liked "Coach Janky Spanky."</p>
— Joseph White Jr. (@JGWhiteAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP/status/237997895507398656" data-datetime="2012-08-21T19:41:34+00:00">August 21, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>So, who was your favorite? </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/8/21/3258545/clinton-portis-retirement-tweet-roundup-southeast-jeromeSamuel Chamberlain2012-08-21T15:40:12-04:002012-08-21T15:40:12-04:00Clinton Portis Retirement Blog Reaction: 'Great To See Him Retire A Redskin'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwuch2iziZTZ9A5g5Qh4aedTvcY=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828113/large_dc.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Clinton Portis</span> was released by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> prior to the 2004 season, Portis worked his way into the hearts of Redskins fans as much for his production as for his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQWlNc0w8k">eccentric press</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCxWHakFQdc">conference characters</a>.</p>
<p>SB Nation's <a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/2012/8/21/3258378/clinton-portis-to-retire-as-a-redskin-thursday">Redskins blog Hogs Haven</a> had the numbers handy, as well as a couple of valedictory thoughts on Portis' career. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In the comments of that brief post, Hogs Haven writer Kevin Ewoldt left a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErX6oZG7Gvs">YouTube video</a> featuring one aspect of Portis' career that earned him near-universal praise: his blocking.</p>
<p>You should probably mute your speakers for this one. </p>
<p><a href="<iframe%20width=%22420%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=" frameborder='"0"'></a></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ErX6oZG7Gvs" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #093369; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/8/21/3258491/clinton-portis-retirement-blog-reaction-hogs-haven-washington-redskinsSamuel Chamberlain2012-08-21T15:21:04-04:002012-08-21T15:21:04-04:00 Clinton Portis To Retire: Former Redskins RB To Make Announcement Thursday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cvSaOp8iRMxBfJWweukJOVk-puQ=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7084498/20120523_mse_se2_428.jpg" />
<figcaption>Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis will announce his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.</p> <p><span>Clinton Portis</span>, a former Pro Bowl running back for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, will retire from the NFL, <a href="https://twitter.com/Redskins/status/237983368808108035">a tweet from the Redskins organization confirmed Tuesday</a>. Portis, a member of the Redskins organization from 2004-10, will hold a press conference Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Redskins Park to make his retirement official.</p>
<p>During his seven-year tenure in Washington, Portis compiled 6,824 rushing yards and scored 46 of his career 74 touchdowns. Portis will retire just 77 yards away of 10,000.</p>
<p>Portis' career began with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>, who selected him in the second round of the '02 Draft. He spent two years in the Mile High City before being traded to the Redskins in a blockbuster deal involving corner back <span>Champ Bailey</span>. In '04, '05, '07 and '08, the former University of Miami tailback rushed over 1,200 yards.</p>
<p>Portis' Redskins career will probably most be remembered by his hard-running style and outspoken and sometimes zany press conferences.</p>
<p><i>For more on Portis' retirement, check out the SB Nation blog <a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2012/8/21/3258417/clinton-portis-to-retire-redskins-stats-official-announcement-press-conference-dateJared E. Smith