Clinton Portis declines to comment, with help from Albert Haynesworth

Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth performed a scripted skit for reporters in the locker room Thursday afternoon in which Portis declined to answer questions and Haynesworth covered the running back's mouth with strips of black athletic tape.

A Redskins media relations official informed reporters that Portis, who, in a prepared statement, apologized for inappropriate comments he made about female reporters earlier this week, was ready for his scheduled weekly media availability.

When reporters approached Portis at his dressing stall, however, he initially did not speak. When a reporter asked Portis about his ill-advised comments during the radio interview, he held up a spiral notebook with "No Comment" written on one of the pages while Haynesworth, standing to Portis's left, tore a piece of tape and applied it to Portis's lips.

When a reporter asked about Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, Portis turned the page and held up the notebook again: "Thanks For Coming." Haynesworth applied another piece of black tape.

As reporters continued in vain to engage Portis, up went the notebook twice more with: "God Bless You" and "Have A Good Day." Haynesworth did his part with more tape, and then the players left the locker room together.

Redskins officials probably would prefer that Portis's lips remained perpetually sealed. He occasionally has inserted his foot into his mouth during interviews -- though not to the extent of his misstep this week -- or has stirred controversy by ripping former head coach Jim Zorn and quarterback Jason Campbell.

But this was Portis's first opportunity to explain himself after making comments that, at the very least, displayed some insensitivity on the subject of female reporters. It does raise questions about how sincere Portis's apology was. Perhaps the Portis-Haynesworth two-man act should go on the road. It didn't play well in Ashburn.

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(washingtonpost.com)