Clinton Portis offers possible solution for Redskins name issue

Clinton Portis joined Ric Bucher and Nicole Zaloumis on SiriusXM’s Bleacher Report Radio channel Tuesday and was asked for his thoughts on the Redskins name controversy.

[Clinton Portis will work as a Redskins analyst for ESPN 980]

“I think for myself, I’m biased, because all you know as a player when you’re giving your heart, when you’re giving your soul to an organization, it’s ‘Redskin Nation,'” Portis said. “I grew to love ‘Redskin Nation,’ and I think ‘Redskin Nation’ grew to love me. But on the flip side, you have to understand the people who don’t appreciate the name and who the name is offensive to. So, you have to look at it from both sides. Fortunately for me, I had some opportunities to go out and visit some reservations and see people, and talk to people firsthand. A lot of people it really didn’t offend, but a lot of people it [does] offend. Those are the voices that you hear, the people that it does offend.”

Portis said he was recently on vacation and saw a school with the Redskins’ logo and colors.

“I was thinking, ‘Wow, this school is still in existence,'” Portis said. “Because the Redskins is such a prominent team and all of the attention made on that organization, and being in D.C. where it’s the hottest topic next to politics every day, you really get the negative attention. And of course, when there’s nothing to talk about, that’s going to dominate the headlines, and it does.”

On Monday, the school board in Goshen, Ind. voted to retire the nearly 90-year-old Redskins nickname for the athletic teams at Goshen High. Portis was asked how he would feel if his former team’s name  changed.

“I think for myself I would have to take the emotions out and see both sides,” Portis said of the name controversy. “… Knowing how huge ‘Redskins Nation’ is and knowing how much Mr. Snyder loves that team, and really acquiring that team, it was acquired for the name, the tradition, the history, the excellence of that organization. And all of a sudden to not have that, and you go from the Redskins to another name, whatever that would be, I think it would take a lot away from the history of that organization.

“But that’s not a call I’m suited to make. For myself and for the lovers of ‘Redskins Nation,’ we will always remember that. It’s like losing a key part of history, which, we see that throughout TV. When you look at the flags being removed, when you look at what society is arguing about and going through, it comes to a time, a decision has to be made, and we have to be able to live with it. So, for myself, I was a part of ‘Redskins Nation,’ it was great. If it lasts, you love it. If it don’t, you understand. … I would hate to see it change, but again, you have to understand everyone else’s point of view, and the people it’s negative and derogative to, you have to understand that.”

Portis was then asked what he would rename the team if it had to change.

“I’m not sure if they could just go to the Skins,” he said. “I’m not sure if that would be as offensive, just dropping the ‘red’ part. The Washington Skins. I think that would kind of preserve the history and the name, but again, my expertise is not on that subject. I understand both sides of it. I understand both arguments.”

On the subject of the Redskins’ quarterback situation, something Portis will be covering in his new role as an analyst for ESPN 980, the former running back suggested the pressure will be on Robert Griffin III to lock down the No. 1 job in training camp.

[Colt McCoy is confident he’s a starting NFL QB]

“I’m going to be looking forward to seeing this in training camp just as you are,” Portis said. “I think we all know RGIII is kind of on the hot seat. Kirk Cousins has his opportunity to come in and play, and he just has to capitalize. … You have a two-headed monster in Alfred Morris and Matt Jones, the kid out of Florida who I think will be great. You’ve got the receivers in [Pierre] Garcon, they go out and get Jamison Crowder. Just having those guys to be able to stretch the field and get open, there’s no excuses. The o-line is intact. The tight end position might be the question mark, whether Jordan Reed and Niles Paul can perform at a high level, but I think they have the pieces on offense that every Redskins fan has wished for, forever and ever, is getting an o-line. … You have everything in place. Now it’s just a competition. You have Colt McCoy, he’s trying to battle. You have three quarterbacks trying to battle for this position, so I think it’s going to be really competitive throughout the preseason.”


(washingtonpost.com)